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Issue 105 - Gordon Kennett, Bammy, Belle v Ipswich, Bobby Schwartz int, Blue Riband, etc


TonyMac

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Issue 105 is out now

Here’s a small taste of the feast of nostalgia inside . . .

On subscription only (£25 in UK) from www.retro-speedway.com

 

GORDON KENNETT: Life & Times

ROB PEASLEY recalls the career highs and lows of the former world No.2, Eastbourne legend and White City’s title-winning talisman who overcame diabetes to reach the top. Why the England star, who also rode for Oxford, King’s Lynn, Wimbledon, Milton Keynes, Wolverhampton and Exeter, almost took out a Danish licence, and much more.

BOBBY SCHWARTZ – exclusive interview

He won three gold medals and made history for the USA but, as ‘Boogaloo’ explains to TONY McDONALD, personal fame and glory was never his priority.

ON THE BOSSES – Stuart Bamforth

Few promoters of the Backtrack era managed to be such a polarising figure as Stuart Bamforth of Belle Vue. But MARTIN ROGERS, one of his contemporaries, is quick to confirm he wasn't the villain his critics claimed.

TRACK RIVALRIES: Belle Vue v Ipswich

With fresh insights from Kevin Jolly, ROB PEASLEY reviews 16 top flight clashes between top flight heavyweights, starring Peter Collins, Chris Morton, Alan Wilkinson, John Louis, Billy Sanders and Tony Davey, who invariably contested the chase for major honours.

BIG NIGHTS: Blue Riband

Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD is back on the south coast for Poole’s premier classic. Previous winners in the Backtrack era include: Barry Briggs, Ole Olsen, Ray Wolson, Malcolm Simmons (x 4), Bobby Schwartz, Dave Jessup, Bruce Penhall, Erik Gundersen, Mitch Shirra, Stan Bear, Kevin Smith, Mel Taylor, Steve Schofield and Chris Louis.

THEY RETIRED TOO SOON

Sporting life can be full of regrets and deciding when to stop is a major decision faced by all who still have the choice. DOUG NICOLSON looks at riders who may reflect that they should have raced on longer. As well as big American stars such as Penhall, Autrey, Preston and Sigalos, think Graeme Smith, Dave Mills, Wayne Brown, Rudy Muts, Ron Henderson, Malcolm Ballard, Ian Cartwright, Garry Flood, Martin McKinna, Bobby McNeil, etc.

OUT OF CONTEXT

We asked our social media ‘friends’ and followers: ‘Where, to your great surprise, did you bump into a rider, or someone else closely connected with our sport, AWAY from speedway?’ Responses include the London Underground, supermarkets, hospital waiting room, pubs, a chippy, service stations, DIY store, a fishing competition, Thai bar, rock concert, shoe shop, beach, Little Chef, Chinese restaurant, Edinburgh Castle, Walmart in Florida, taxi, Legoland, a canal and many other weird and wonderful locations.

THAT NAME RINGS A BELL – Exeter

Whatever became of them, all the ex-riders who had second-half races, junior matches or interval spins in the 70s at . . . EXETER? In this memory-jogger, we list all those budding one-time County Ground hopefuls, including:  Ian Gills, Clark Facey, Kevin Holden, Mike Sampson, Bob Coles, Vic Harding, Les Rumsey, Danny Kennedy, Tony Sanford and many more.

Plus: Probably the shortest meeting in history, your letters and heaps more nostalgia . . .

Edited by TonyMac
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On 8/18/2021 at 9:17 PM, steve roberts said:

Obviously enjoyed re-living Gordon's career and especially enjoyed reading Bobby's interview which I found to be very refreshing in outlook!

Yes, Bobby's selfless attitude to racing was far removed from today's self-absorbed 'me, me, me' society.

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