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ISSUE 102 (JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2021)
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SCOTT AUTREY - Life & Times A trailblazer who led his country to its first World Team Cup triumph, Scott Autrey is still revered by Exeter fans and respected by many more as the articulate all-American hero. ROB PEASLEY chronicles the life and times of the popular, stylish former World No.3 who also had UK spells with Swindon and Poole.
ON THE BOSSES - Reg Fearman Love them or hate them, the speedway promoters of the Backtrack era included some of the sport's all-time heavyweights as well as a new brigade of youthful innovators. As a member of the BSPA in the 70s and 80s, a longtime management committee member and vice-chairman, MARTIN ROGERS rubbed shoulders - and crossed swords - with all of them.
Forever associated with the first two decades of the British League and, before that, the game-changing Provincial League, Reg Fearman was a powerhouse in promoting circles. Our columnist sat alongside him on the BSPA management committee for several of those years and gives his assessment of a Backtrack era colossus.
ZENON PLECH - golden days as a Hackney Hawk Paying tribute to a boyhood hero, TONY McDONALD recalls the early career and impact of Poland's first superstar whose fearless riding for Hackney earned him cult status.
TRACK RIVALRIES: Cradley Heath v Wolverhampton With fresh insights from Alan Grahame and Ronnie Correy, ROB PEASLEY reflects on 14 meetings between Black Country neighbours, clashes invariably laced with controversy and sometimes police intervention. Let's take you back to brutality on bikes!
BIG NIGHTS: Golden Sovereign Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD heads to Ipswich for a close look at the nine stagings of the Golden Sovereign between 1973 and '83. Past winners include Witches legends John Louis and Billy Sanders, inaugural champ Ole Olsen, Peter Collins, Mel Taylor and Hans Nielsen.
THE NUMBERS GAME - race formula study DOUG NICOLSON looks at the development of race formulae used for team meetings in domestic UK racing. From the popular 13-heat 'Happiness is 40-38' era through the various KO Cup formats, to the current 15-heat nominated riders' finale, our in-house accountant has it all figured out.
KEN MARSHALL - Mr Felton MARTIN NEAL recognises the selfless key role Felton training track co-founder Ken Marshall played in the development of young riders at the North-East outpost.
KELVIN TATUM - book extracts Following the successful December launch of KELVIN TATUM's Tales From The Top Drawer, we present extracts from the autobiography of the former England star and World No.3 who rapidly rose from raw rookie to stardom with Wimbledon before winning back-to-back league titles with Coventry, plus spells with Berwick, Bradford, Arena-Essex (twice), London Lions and Peterborough.
THAT NAME RINGS A BELL: Belle Vue Whatever became of them, all the ex-riders who had second-half races, junior matches or interval spins in the 70s at . . . BELLE VUE? In this memory-jogger, we list all those budding one-time Hyde Road hopefuls, including Eric Broadbelt, Alan Wilkinson, Peter Collins (whatever happened to him!), Dave Morton, Chris Morton (and him!), Ian Hindle, Les Collins, Tom Owen, Dave Trownson, Chris Turner, Keith Bloxsome, Bernie Collier, among the many who ˜had a go" at this world famous venue.
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ISSUE 103 (MARCH - APRIL, 2021)
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RAY WILSON – Life & Times Almost 50 years since ‘World Cup Willy’ made history in Wroclaw, ROB PEASLEY recalls the highs and lows of the England and Leicester legend who began his illustrious career with Long Eaton and ended it with Birmingham. In between, the 1973 British Champion captained his country to their greatest triumphs at Wembley and beyond.
ON THE BOSSES – John Berry Talented, controversial, complex, intense and driven but enormously respected, the notoriously private John Berry bared his soul in a couple of post-retirement books. Our columnist MARTIN ROGERS, another man of many words, was – at times – as closely associated with JB as any of their promoting contemporaries. BRIAN LARNER – exclusive interview After years of unprecedented success with Newcastle and signing the world’s greatest-ever rider for ambitious Hull, BRIAN LARNER’s promoting career and his high profile partnership with Ian Thomas ended in acrimony. KEITH McGHIE has the inside story on a Yorkshire character. TRACK RIVALRIES: Rayleigh v Romford With fresh insights from Terry Stone, Bob Coles and Geoff Maloney, ROB PEASLEY reflects on all 17 matches raced at The Weir and Brooklands, spanning three seasons, between these county neighbours and intense rivals. A six-page special on the original Essex Boys.
BIG NIGHTS: Dews Trophy Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD heads to Halifax for a close look at the long-running Shay classic over six pages. Previous Dews Trophy winners include: Eric Boocock, Ole Olsen, Phil Crump (who once beat five Dukes in one bizarre race!), Graham Plant, Dave Jessup, Alan Wilkinson, Ian Cartwright, Kenny Carter and John Louis.
Plus a two-page interview with Booey, the Halifax legend and twice Dews Trophy winner .
THE NUMBERS GAME – race formula study (part 2) After examining the varied formulae used in domestic UK league racing in our last issue, this time DOUG NICOLSON looks at international and other British competitions, including three and four-team tournaments, plus best pairs.
OLLE NYGREN – Tribute OLLE NYGREN had been fighting throat cancer for more than six months when he died in Ipswich Hospital on February 13, 2021, aged 91. MARTIN ROGERS, the last promoter to sign the Swedish legend, reflects on the life and times of an extraordinary character whose enduring career wound down in the Backtrack era with spells at West Ham, Ipswich, King’s Lynn and Coventry. This four-page tribute also acknowledges Olle’s talent-spotting skills, including his introduction of Hammers favourite Christer Lofqvist.
THAT NAME RINGS A BELL: Hackney Whatever became of them, all the ex-riders who had second-half races, junior matches or interval spins in the 70s and early 80s at . . . HACKNEY? In this memory-jogger, we list all those budding one-time Waterden Road hopefuls, including Tony Davey (yes, the one who slipped away to Ipswich), Allan Emmett, Geoff Maloney, Dave ‘Tiger’ Beech, Les ‘Red’ Ott, Dave Kennett, Ted Hubbard, Barney Kennett, Steve Lomas, Dave Morton, Bob Garrad, Karl Fiala, Ashley Pullen, Kevin Smith and four members of the Barclay family.
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ISSUE 104 (MAY - JUNE, 2021)
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BOBBY SCHWARTZ: Life & Times ‘Boogaloo’ always put his team before personal glory. A natural leader, he was the ultimate definition of ‘Captain America’ and also twice won the US National Championship in his 80s heyday. In a nine-page special, ROB PEASLEY recalls the career highs and lows of the enduring, charismatic Californian who, in his mid-sixties, is still winning races for fun.
ON THE BOSSES – Len Silver MARTIN ROGERS profiles one of the greatest showman in the history of speedway promoting, a canny Cockney who left an indelible mark at Hackney and Rye House, with England glory and World Final track curator skill to add to his impressive CV. Remarkably, at 89, he is still going strong in Kent.
HUGHIE SAUNDERS – exclusive interview After a brief and patchy spell at Eastbourne, late starter Hughie Saunders quickly became No.1 at Rayleigh, a match-winner for top flight cup winners Hackney and, back with the Rockets, led Rye House to major honours as both rider and team manager. KEITH McGHIE caught up with the Channel Islander for a new four-page interview with the Channel Islander.
TRACK RIVALRIES: Mildenhall v Newcastle With fresh insights from Joe Owen and Richard Knight, ROB PEASLEY reviews a dozen battles between second tier heavyweights.
BIG NIGHTS: Pride of the East Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD goes east to King’s Lynn for one of the most eagerly awaited of end-of-season classics that regularly attracted crowds in excess of 10,000. Past winners in the Backtrack era include five-time victor Ole Olsen, Anders Michanek, Ivan Mauger, John Louis, Peter Collins, Dave Jessup, Michael Lee, Tommy Knudsen, Hans Nielsen, Jan Andersson, Sam Ermolenko, Kelvin Tatum and Martin Dugard.
SHARE ISSUES DOUG NICOLSON, a lifelong Clydebank FC fan, looks at the love/hate relationship between speedway and football clubs.
CONTRASTING VUES It could never be compared to Hyde Road (what track could?), but Kirky Lane still deserves an important place in the rich history of Belle Vue Aces. TONY McDONALD reflects on the latest old speedway stadium to be demolished.
BEHIND THE SCENES Long-time Birmingham supporter CEDRIC READ recalls how and why the 1979-80 close season passed so quickly. THAT NAME RINGS A BELL – Sheffield Whatever became of them, all the ex-riders who had second-half races, junior matches or interval spins in the 70s at . . . SHEFFIELD? In this memory-jogger, we list all those budding one-time Owlerton hopefuls, including: Reg Wilson, Doug Wyer, Bob Valentine, Carl Glover, Nicky Allott, Craig Pendlebury, Billy Burton, Steve Finch, Pete Smith, Phil White,. Brian Havelock, Ian Jeffcoate, Sid Sheldrick, Keith Evans, Tony and Danny Boyle, Bent Rasmussen, Gary Guglielmi, Roger Lambert, Louis Carr, Rob Woffinden, Neil Collins, Steve McDermott and many more. Plus Maurice Ducker obit, your letters and heaps more nostalgia . . .
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ISSUE 105 (JULY - AUGUST, 2021)
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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...
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ISSUE 106 (SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER, 2021)
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IVAN MAUGER & OLE OLSEN: Golden Greats Between them, iconic legends Ivan and Ole won nine of the 12 individual World Championships staged between 1968 and 1979, as well as leading their respective nations and British League teams to the highest honours. It was the Great Dane who finally ended the mighty Kiwi’s historic bid for four consecutive World Final victories in Gothenburg 50 years ago. JOHN DAVIDSON, a big fan of Ivan’s, and TONY McDONALD discuss the merits of two inextricably linked track giants.
ON THE BOSSES – Ron Wilson There was a time when a number of the country's leading promoters successfully had track interests in both the top tier of speedway and the second. Former Leicester, Teesside and Milton Keynes boss Ron Wilson provides one such example. A quiet, thoughtful man who made a significant contribution, as MARTIN ROGERS recounts.
TRACK RIVALRIES: Coventry v Oxford
With fresh insights from Cheetahs co-promoter John Payne, ROB PEASLEY reviews 16 top flight clashes between two giants who shared five consecutive British League championships in the late 80s.
BIG NIGHTS: Silver Plume
Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD looks back at eight stagings of Swindon’s once coveted Silver Plume classic. Previous winners: Ray Wilson, Bengt Jansson, Martin Ashby, Peter Collins (three times), Jim McMillan and Michael Lee.
COLIN RICHARDSON – exclusive interview
Welcome to Colin Richardson’s sometimes weird and whacky world of sponsorship, as told to TONY McDONALD. The former Eastbourne and Wimbledon star talks condoms, cod and crankcases.
SEND IT SIDEWAYS – Darcy Ward DVD advertorial
To coincide with the launch of the eagerly-awaited new four-hour Darcy Ward DVD, co-producers Martin Rogers and Mike Bennett explain the background story to the superbly executed Send it Sideway: The Life and Times of Darcy Ward production that pays handsome tribute to the former King’s Lynn, Poole, Swindon and Australian favourite whose career was tragically cut short.
Where did it START To go wrong?
British speedway is in the grip of yet another crisis. In recent weeks cash-strapped Eastbourne pulled the plug in mid-season, while Newcastle have possibly staged their last-ever meeting and the Birmingham owners have announced they are pulling out at the end of the year.
But in fairness, not all present and multiple woes can be laid at the feet of the 2021 members of British Speedway Promoters Ltd. Let’s be honest, mistakes were made in the 70s and 80s, too, and many have been unaddressed.
So we asked our social media ‘friends’ and followers: ‘Where did it START to go wrong in the past that has led the sport to this point?’
STAR QUALITIES – Obits
The speedway media has suffered some major losses in recent times. The death of Philip Rising, aged 75, is the latest in a storied list. For 32 years he was managing editor of the sport's flagship weekly Speedway Star, and a member of its staff and various sister publications for almost as long before that. And whatever walk of life you're in, there needs to be a suitable celebration to acknowledge a great contribution. Phil's longtime friend and erstwhile colleague MARTIN ROGERS offers personal thoughts, plus there’s a brief nod to Riso’s predecessor in the Star hotseat, Paul Parish.
JUST LIKE THEIR HEROES – Cycle Speedway
DOUG NICOLSON and TONY McDONALD recall much simpler times, when future speedway riders, promoters and others involved in our sport first got the racing buzz. A star-studded list includes Simon Wigg, Scott Nicholls and Dave Perks, plus promoters Ian Thomas, Terry and Ronnie Russell.
THAT NAME RINGS A BELL – Ipswich
Whatever became of them, all the ex-riders who had second-half races, junior matches or interval spins in the 70s at . . . IPSWICH? In this memory-jogger, we list all those budding one-time Foxhall Heath hopefuls, including: Mick and Andy Hines, Mike Lanham,, Ted Howgego, Trevor Jones, Phil Herne, Colin Cook, Kevin Jolly, Nigel Flatman, Kevin Teager, Mel Taylor, Andy Hibbs, Tim Hunt and many more.
Plus: Gote Nordin and heaps more nostalgia . . .
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ISSUE 107 (NOVEMBER - DECEMBER, 2021)
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JAN O. PEDERSEN – Life & Times In the first of a few new features in this edition that will stir emotions among Cradley Heath supporters in particular, ROB PEASLEY recalls the highs and lows of the popular, diminutive Dane who became an international giant and individual World Champion in 1991, less than a year before his brilliant career was tragically cut short.
COLIN PRATT – Tribute Too many grand masters of our sport have qualified for the Grand Final in the sky this year. Towering figures have left us, few with a greater backstory or enduring love for speedway than Colin Pratt, remembered here by MARTIN ROGERS. In this ‘other side of the fence’ feature, the focus is on Readers and our social media followers also share their memories of a much respected and genuine giant of speedway, who is much missed by all who knew him.
ERIC BOOCOCK – exclusive interview In an exclusive new interview with TONY McDONALD, Eric Boocock reveals his previously unknown role in Colin Pratt returning to Cradley as their new promoter in 1984. Booey also recalls the highs and lows of his partnership with old pal Pratty as joint-managers of England for eight years.
ALAN GRAHAME – Tribute Within 24 hours of Colin Pratt’s death, Heathens supporters were dealt another blow with the tragic news that long-serving rider Alan Grahame had succumbed to the serious head injuries suffered while practicing for a sidecar event at a grasstrack meeting in the Midlands on September 25. Alan was the passenger in a unit that careered out of control. We look back on this wholehearted trier’s days with Birmingham, Cradley, Swindon and England, in particular.
TRACK RIVALRIES: Exeter v Poole With fresh insights from Neil Middleditch, ROB PEASLEY reviews 15 clashes between south-west adversaries at both first and second division level. Riders featured include Ivan Mauger, Malcolm Simmons, Scott Autrey, Antoni Woryna, the tragic Kevin Holden, Kevin Smith, Stan Bear, Leigh Adams, Steve Regeling, etc.
BIG NIGHTS: Olympique Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD is in the West Midlands for the Olympique, which usually featured handicap racing. Past winners of this Wolverhampton classic were Ole Olsen, who won all of the first six stagings between 1970 and ’76, plus Peter Collins, Billy Sanders, Gordon Kennett, Phil Crump, Les Collins, Mitch Shirra, Hans Nielsen, Sam Ermolenko and Jan O. Pedersen. Shirra’s victory and the first by Nielsen came at Birmingham.
SENIOR SERVICE Knocking on a bit himself, DOUG NICOLSON writes in praise of ‘golden oldies’ from the Backtrack era who graced our tracks for many years. Jimmy Squibb was aged 53 in his final season with Canterbury, in 1975. Other notables to feature include Jack Biggs, Ken McKinlay, Gordon McGregor, Doug and Willie Templeton, Sandor Levai, Olle Nygren, Ron Mountford, Neil Street, Ivan Mauger, Colin Gooddy, Reg Trott, Nigel Boocock, George Hunter, Ronnie Genz, etc. We also reveal the oldest combined pairings and teams.
TIGERS TITANS
Brief extracts from our new Memories of Sheffield Speedway DVD featuring interviews with club legends Doug Wyer and Reg Wilson.
Plus . . . your letters, Notebook and a feast of nostalgic pictures.
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ISSUE 108 (JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2022)
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DENNIS SIGALOS – Life & Times
World Pairs Champion and individual World No.3 in 1982, the world was at the feet of stylish and colourful Californian Dennis Sigalos. ROB PEASLEY looks back at the career of the Hull, Ipswich and Wolverhampton No.1, who would have been best placed to challenge the Danish domination of the late 80s but for a serious ankle injury.
RUN-OFFS Whether to determine the winner of an individual meeting or settle the final qualifying places, you can’t beat a nailbiting last-race decider or two to get the crowd buzzing and riders’ nerves jangling. In the first of a two-part feature, DOUG NICOLSON reviews the most controversial and unusual run-offs from British speedway in the 70s.
TRACK RIVALRIES: Edinburgh v Glasgow With fresh insights from Brian Collins, who rode for both Monarchs and Tigers, ROB PEASLEY reviews 15 tartan tussles between Scotland’s biggest second tier teams.
BIG NIGHTS: Manpower Trophy (Reading) Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD rewinds to Reading’s star-studded Manpower Championship that began in 1971. Winners of this classic were Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Anders Michanek, Phil Crump, Peter Collins (twice), Finn Thomsen, John Davis and Chris Morton.
ON THE BOSSES – Cyril Crane Of all the promoters with whom MARTIN ROGERS crossed paths, there was nobody quite like Cyril Crane, his boss and later landlord at King's Lynn. Their 20-plus years of shared history was by all accounts 'complicated'. This is a look at some of the contradictions which made up speedway's Jekyll and Hyde personality.
CZECH GOLDEN HELMET Since 1928 the Czech Golden Helmet has remained one of the most prestigious meetings in the world speedway calendar. VITEK FORMANEK interviewed Pavel Lejhanec, the man entrusted with making the last 30 editions of this coveted trophy and whose family are intrinsically linked to it. Past winners from the Backtrack era include record seven-times champion Ole Olsen, Jiri Stancl (five titles), Milan Spinka, Dennis Sigalos, John Davis, double winner Erik Gundersen, Hans Nielsen, Per Jonsson and Jeremy Doncaster.
Plus . . . Letters, Notebook and a feast of nostalgic pictures.
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ISSUE 109 (MARCH - APRIL, 2022)
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HANS NIELSEN – Life & Times The Main Dane is arguably the most successful speedway rider of all-time, having won no fewer than 22 World Championships, including four individual titles. ROB PEASLEY looks back on the glittering career of the former Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Oxford and Coventry favourite.
RUN-OFFS In this second of a two-part feature, DOUG NICOLSON examines the most meaningful and controversial World Championship run-offs of the 70s and 80s, including one featuring SEVEN riders that took four extra races to resolve. How did the Big Three of the 70s – Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen and Peter Collins – fare against each other in ‘match-race’ situations? Also, a full list of all domestic first-place deciders spanning 20 seasons.
TRACK RIVALRIES: Reading v Swindon With fresh insights from Mick Bell, ROB PEASLEY reviews 14 top flight battles that took place along the M4 corridor, featuring the likes of Anders Michanek, Barry Briggs, Mike Broadbank, Martin Ashby, Bob Kilby, Dave Jessup, John Davis, Jan Andersson, Phil Crump, Scott Autrey, Steve Gresham, Tony Briggs, Denny Pyeatt, Per Jonsson, Mitch Shirra, Jimmy Nilsen, etc.
BIG NIGHTS: Internationale (Wimbledon) Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD is back in South London to relive Wimbledon’s world class classic traditionally staged in front of packed crowds on Spring Bank Holiday Monday evenings. Past winners of the last 12 stagings (1970-81) under review here were: Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen, Peter Collins, Malcolm Simmons, Edward Jancarz, Michael Lee, Dave Jessup and Hans Nielsen. Garry Middleton falsely accusing Ivan of using Nitro, Ronnie Moore’s agony, an epic duel between Olsen and Anders Michanek . . . it’s all here and much more.
ON THE BOSSES – Ian Thomas A forward-thinking innovator and off-track magician who knew and used every trick in the book, canny Yorkshireman IAN THOMAS did much more than promote. MARTIN ROGERS assesses the impact of the former Workington, Hull and Newcastle boss who, though thwarted in his audacious attempt to sign Ole Olsen, paid a record transfer fee for Ivan Mauger and (with Eric Boocock) led England to grand slam glory.
SANDOR LEVAI – Profile With his loud, booming laugh and hard-man persona, Sandor Levai was an unforgettable presence on and off track during his early 70s spells as Newport No.1 and a rock solid middle order man for Ipswich and Cradley. TONY McDONALD and others, including Sandor’s only son and eldest daughter, recall the man who put Hungarian speedway on the map.
Plus . . . Letters, Notebook and a feast of nostalgic pictures. Coming next in issue 110: LIFE & TIMES: Kelvin Mullarkey; RIVALS: Barrow v Workington; BIG NIGHTS: 16-Lapper (Ipswich); etc . . .
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ISSUE 110 (MAY - JUNE, 2022)
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KELVIN MULLARKEY – Life & Times British speedway had some great crowd-pleasing characters in the 70s and 80s and none more prominent in National League circles than the popular Rye House star. ROB PEASLEY looks back on the career of ‘Mudlark’, from King’s Lynn junior to early second division scrapes with Hull, Weymouth, a brief top flight fling with Poole, 10 years of great service to Rockets, brief spells with Canterbury and Mildenhall and, finally, his biggest battle off track.
BRITISH LEAGUE DREAM TEAMS OF THE 1970s There were so many great and very good riders around in the 70s golden era that choosing the best seven from each top flight team over the decade is no easy feat. See what you make of TONY McDONALD’s 20 selections, from Belle Vue’s highest combined CMA to Birmingham’s lowest.
TRACK RIVALRIES: Barrow v Workington ROB PEASLEY heads for the north-west coast to review all 21 matches between two defunct clubs separated by a 50-odd mile stretch of the A595. Featured riders include: Tom and Joe Owen, Bob Coles, Mike Sampson, Terry Kelly, Sid Sheldrick, Dave Baugh, Geoff Pusey, Mark Courtney, Charlie Monk, Chris Roynon, Lou Sansom, Taffy Owen, Mitch Graham, Malcolm Mackay, Alan Cowland, Ian Hindle, Brian Havelock, Rob Maxfield, Arthur Price, Eric Broadbelt, etc.
BIG NIGHTS: 16-Lapper (Ipswich) Reviewing British speedway's most prestigious individual meetings, PHIL CHARD is in Suffolk for an exhaustive examination of Ipswich’s novel marathon event between 1979 and ’89. Previous winners include: Joe Owen, Billy Sanders, three-time winner Phil Crump, Kenny Carter, Hans Nielsen, Jan O. Pedersen and Andy Galvin.
ON THE BOSSES – Wally Mawdsley For more than a quarter of a century Wally Mawdsley was one of speedway's most active promoters, and featured in some of the biggest stories of the Backtrack years. MARTIN ROGERS, who sat alongside Wally in both tiers of the BSPA management committee, evaluates the contribution of a man associated with more than a dozen ventures, including Exeter, Swindon, Bristol, Romford, Hull, Mildenhall, Canterbury, Arena-Essex, etc.
IN AT THE DEEP END DOUG NICOLSON recalls the young Brits and Australasians who bucked a trend by boldly taking the sink or swim approach and others who spent very little time in the lower league before leaping into the big-time. Riders featured include: Chris Pusey, Bobby Beaton, Billy Sanders, Jeremy Doncaster, Kelvin Tatum, Andy Smith, Joe Screen, Carl Stonehewer, etc.
NIGEL PEARSON – Tribute Paying his last respects to the’ Voice of Speedway’ who sadly died much too soon at 52, TONY McDONALD says: “As someone who watches countless hours of live televised sport, I haven’t seen or heard a better TV co-commentary partnership than Pearson and Tatum.”
Plus . . . your letters and a feast of nostalgic pictures.
Coming next in issue 111: LIFE & TIMES: Joe Owen; RIVALS: Cradley Heath v Oxford; BIG NIGHTS: Westernapolis (Exeter); British League Division Two/National League Dream Teams of the 1970s, etc . . .
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MAGAZINES
BACKTRACK Final Issue 111 out now! For fans who loved speedway in the 1970s & 80s
CLASSIC SPEEDWAY Final Issue 57 out now! Launched in May 2008, the glossy quarterly specialising in the 50s and 60s eras
BLOGS
THE best, most thought-provoking, pieces written by our knowledgeable team of writers that have appeared in Backtrack and Classic Speedway magazine since Retro Speedway was formed in 2004.