Issue 75 - Ronnie Correy, Hull Moments, 1979, Scunthorpe

[TonyMac]

ISSUE 75 (JULY - AUGUST)

 

RONNIE CORREY INTERVIEW

One of the most popular and successful Americans in British League, former USA and Wolverhampton star 'Rocket' Ronnie Correy reflects with Rob Peasley on an illustrious career that brought our cover man two FIM gold medals and a league championship.

Ronnie quotes:

“We all went out the night before and they made sure that I had a few beers and got a bit silly. The next day I was bouncing off the walls and pathetic really."

“Between us all, we built up really good crowds. We always went up to the bar afterwards and we associated with the crowd. We would all go up, sign some autographs and have a drink. I picked up sponsors from doing that."

“Sam was always very good with his team-mates out on track – he would look out for you. He was also very competitive and wanted to be the best. He wanted to be the No.1 guy and the centre of attention. But if you needed something or something was wrong, he’d been straight in there to help you out."

“I was close to fracturing a main artery nerve and had that happened, I would have been paralysed from the waist downwards."

 

ULTIMATE BRITISH TRACK RECORD HOLDER
Ever wondered which rider has competed in the highest number of official meetings staged on British tracks since the second world war? So did we. Now, with more than a little help from our friends, Tony McDonald can reveal the winner of this distinguished honour and the five riders who were not far behind him . . .

 

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1979
Back with another in-depth review of the year, this time Andrew Skeels reflects on the season that resulted in thrilling championship deciders, a sensational World Team Cup victory and tragedies on and off the track.

Plus . . . a New Year's honour for Johnnie, Cradley, Hull and Poole sign American newcomers, a new British speedway engine, ITV's three-year deal with the BSPA and SCB, 11,000 at Hyde Road to honour 'Wilkie', new venue for Scunthorpe but problems ahead, Wimbledon set new BL record, broken legs for Heathens pair Erik Gundersen and Steve Bastable, Carter wins U21 title, PC is British champ, World Pairs controversy, takeover at Poole, shock move by Sanders, three fans taken to hospital after being hit by bike, 50,000 see speedway in Cairo, Boulger quits Britain, Boston eye new venue at Cleethorpes but it's the end of the road for Norwich, speedway goes indoors at Wembley and much more . . .

 

PLACES & FACES with MARTIN ROGERS
After venturing to the far north in our last issue, our intrepid scribe heads to Wales and the south-west this time, stopping off at Reading, Oxford, Newport, Bristol and Exeter.

 

HULL: 50 MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Rob Peasley looks back at the unfashionable East Yorkshire club that attracted multiple world champions, exciting Americans and went close to attaining top flight championship glory. Vikings fans can re-live the Boulevard days of Tony Childs, Dave Mills, Jimmy McMillan, Bobby Beaton, Barry Briggs, Joe Owen, Ivan Mauger, Kelly and Shawn Moran, Dennis Sigalos, etc.

 

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO . . . NEIL COTTON?
Martin Neal catches up with the former Peterborough rider whose racing career ended abruptly and painfully three years later at Rye House.

 

OPENING TIMES – Scunthorpe 1971
Returning to his home town, Andrew 'Scunny' Skeels recalls Scunthorpe's opener at Quibell Park with former Saints skipper Pete Wrathall, plus Pete Gay and Rod Haynes.

 

THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME
As a rider’s career winds down, he is faced with the difficult decision of when to retire. Some want to bow out at the top, while others rival Frank Sinatra in their protracted farewells. Doug Nicolson looks at some significant and contrasting curtain calls, including those of Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Eric Boocock, Dave Younghusband, Chris Morton, Charlie Monk, Rob Grant, Steve Lawson, Bruce Penhall, Bill McMillan, Dave Morton, Terry Betts, Chris Pusey, Eric Broadbelt.

 

ON TWO MINUTES WITH . . . GUY ROBSON
The former Edinburgh rider tells Martin Neal about being 'addicted' to speedway at Belle Vue, his time with highs and lows with the Monarchs and why problems with the Sheffield promoter hampered his progress with the Tigers.

 

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