Issue 50

[TonyMac]

Yes, we're on our 50th issue now, having launched the bi-monthly magazine in March 2004. In another nostalgia-packed edition, we present . . .

 

GARRY MIDDLETON

Talented speedway rider, self-publicist, pilot, born again Christian who was arrested for pushing his beliefs, property dealer and a most complex character who decided to end his own life . . . Garry Middleton is still a talking point whenever his name is mentioned. Tony Webb, who has researched the life and times of ‘Cass the Gas’, spoke to us about his fascinating revelations in a six-page profile of the nomadic former World Team Cup winner whose UK clubs between 1967-77 included King’s Lynn, Belle Vue, Wimbledon, Newcastle, Hackney, Oxford, Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester.

 

Our top columnist JOHN BERRY also runs the rule over Middleton and explains why, despite Garry’s stated wish to join Ipswich from Hackney in 1972, he is adamant the outspoken Aussie would never have fitted in at Foxhall.

 

50 MAGICAL MOMENTS

To commemorate our 50^th issue we take a chronological look back at British speedway’s most magical moments of the Backtrack era . . . from Ivan Mauger securing his triple World Championship win in 1970 to the moment, in 1989, when Erik Gundersen knew he was not going to die of the terrible injuries he suffered at Bradford, there are many special memories that will come flooding back as we reflect over the 20-year period.

 

PAUL ACKROYD

England’s captain once described him in a national daily newspaper as a ‘plonker’ and a ‘wallie’ and the leading British League track of the day banned him from their stadium. But Paul Ackroyd went on to establish himself as one of the sport’s top referees in a career spanning 28 years and is now the driving force behind the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund.

 

GREGORI CHLYNOVSKI

Only a costly last race exclusion denied Gregori Chlynovski a run-off for the world title at Katowice in 1973. We look back with one of the top Russian stars of the pre-GP era, who made it to three individual World Finals and was a World Team Cup regular for the Soviets.

 

We also present a full list (with appearances and scores) of all Russian World Finalists under the traditional World Championship formula – from the great Igor Plechanov in 1961 to Viktor Kuznetsov in 1986.

 

COATBRIDGE 1973

We revisit 1973 and Glasgow’s final season as a top flight outfit, which had to be played out at Cliftonhill following Tigers’ move from Hampden Park.

 

KEVIN TEAGER

He first showed a talent for speedway in the late 70s and at the age of 53 Kevin Teager is still as enthusiastic as ever about racing motorcycles. We caught up with the former Ipswich, Scunthorpe, Crayford, Hackney and Wimbledon rider just before he left Suffolk to start afresh in Germany.

 

VIC HARDING

The recent death of Lee Richardson reminds us all of the risks riders take and the effect such tragedies can have on their families and loved ones. The family of the late Vic Harding know just what the Richardsons are now going through. We reflect on the once promising career of the former Sunderland, Weymouth, Crayford and Hackney prospect who was killed at Waterden Road in June 1979 . . . and reveal how Vic’s sister recently honoured the memory of her popular brother.

 

SIMMO’S COLUMN

Our star columnist Malcolm Simmons runs his critical eye over the controversial Eastville track at Bristol and weighs up the different seats used during his long and distinguished career.

 

AND ANOTHER THING…

Battling against the elements is nothing new for those who run British speedway, but the wettest April in 100 years has hit hard and led to renewed debate about how best to try and solve an age-old problem. JOHN BERRY re-examines the possibility of track covers and considers other factors.

 

Plus our regulars . . .

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO . . . PAUL BOSLEY

ON TWO MINUTES WITH . . . MIKE CAROLINE

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS WITH . . . KURT HANSEN

 

To order this issue for £4 or to subscribe for six issue (£20 UK), go to http://www.retro-speedway.com