Retro Speedway: BACKTRACK BACK ISSUES (81-91)

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BACKTRACK BACK ISSUES (81-91)

PLEASE NOTE BACKTRACK ISSUES 1-71 ARE NOW SOLD OUT

ISSUE 81 (JULY - AUGUST 2017)

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DEAN BARKER - Part of the Family

Despite trying to escape the shadow of Martin Dugard and spells with Cradley and Oxford, Eastbourne legend Dean Barker will always be regarded as part of the Eagles family and, as ROB PEASLEY reveals in this exclusive in-depth interview, the former British No.2 and World Cup finalist still works for the Dugards.

Here come the . . . POLES

Continuing his new series looking back at foreign imports who ventured to Britain in search of fame and fortune, MARTIN ROGERS recall the Polish thrill-makers and his own trail-blazing role in bringing two of their greatest-ever riders to the attention of UK fans.

Plus . . . Arnie Gibbons on why Reading were denied the use of two Poles, while other readers recall their favourite British League Polish recruits.

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1987

What! The World Final run over two days, three meetings to determine the world team champions and the BSPA blow the chance to appoint the man who could have guided British speedway into a brighter, more secure future . . . it all sounds a bit double Dutch as ANDREW SKEELS reflects on another year that largely belonged to the Danes, Coventry and Eastbourne.

HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS (National League)

After examining away performances of British League teams in our last issue, this time DOUG NICOLSON takes to the road at second tier level, where Birmingham, Eastbourne, Newcastle and Mildenhall were among the best travellers.

TAFFY OWEN - exclusive interview

RICHARD BOTT talks to the 'Welsh Wizard', who made history at Belle Vue, went on to become a big star at Workington but has since suffered a huge costly blow in retirement.

Plus . . . a kind-hearted reader offers to buy hard-up Taffy a season ticket at Belle Vue and we reveal the long behind-the-scenes fight Peter Collins has been waging with his former club.

STOKE: 50 Memorable Moments

ROB PEASLEY goes pottering around Stoke to recall heroes of Hanley and Loomer Road, including Mike Broadbank, Les Collins, Steve Bastable, Ian Gledhill, Nigel Crabtree, Tom Owen, Paul Thorp and Eric Monaghan.

OPENING TIMES - Milton Keynes (1978)

British speedway welcomed a brand new venue into the sport in March 1978. ANDREW SKEELS talks to Tony Coupland and Kevin Hawkins about the disastrous opening night at The Groveway, while Andy Grahame looks back at his early days in the MK team.

OBITS: Ila Teromaa and Bryan Seery

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ISSUE 82 (SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2017)

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WHITE CITY - REBELS WITH A CAUSE

Forty years on from White City's controversial British League championship win, Rob Peasley gets the views of Rebels' team manager Lee Dunton (his final interview just days before his sudden death in the Far East) and brothers Gordon and Dave Kennett on the west London club's greatest success in their short three-year existence.

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1978

Andrew Skeels reflects on British speedway's Golden Jubilee season, largely dominated by Ole Olsen and his teams Denmark and Coventry, while there were domestic honours too for Ipswich, Canterbury and Eastbourne, plus World Pairs glory for England's Malcolm Simmons and Gordon Kennett.

Here come the . . . KIWIS

In the latest of his series recalling the overseas imports who tried their luck in Britain, Martin Rogers casts an eye over the New Zealanders. As well as the Big Three of Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger, he recalls Bruce Cribb, Mitch Shirra, Larry Ross and numerous others who made their mark in the UK. Plus, how fans remember the Kiwis.

Free passes for ex-riders - yes or no?

Free entry to speedway is a contentious issue but Tony McDonald asks the BSPA to show more compassion towards former riders.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch Changes

Changes generally aren't favoured by traditionalists and nostalgia buffs, who are always reluctant to, in the words of the David Bowie song, â€œturn and face the strangeâ€. With tongue in cheek, Doug Nicolson asks whether changes are a good thing, looking at some which don't seem to have worked and a few that did . . .

LONG EATON: 50 Memorable Moments

Rob Peasley examines the chequered history of a yo-yo Midlands club that once signed one of the sport's all-time greats, won a league title and other honours but also endured a number of wooden spoons amid revivals and closures . . .

OPENING TIMES - Boston 1970

An estimated 6,000 saw the launch of speedway at Boston midway through 1970. Andrew Skeels caught up with Cyril Crane, who built up the venue with his own hands, ex-Barracudas team manager Graham Brown and rider Tony Featherstone.

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ISSUE 83 (NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017)

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BIG Moments

Drama, controversy, thrills, spills, shocks, great racing, race fixing and mechanical disaster . . .the original World Championship had it all. Tony McDonald recalls key moments from the last 25 years of the individual title race as Backtrack readers knew it.

Here come the . . . SWEDES

In the latest of his series recalling the overseas imports that ventured to the British League, Martin Rogers runs his rule over the Swedes, included big box office attractions such as Anders Michanek, Soren Sjosten, Christer Lofqvist, Bernt Persson and Tommy Jansson, plus one of his personal long-serving favourites Richard Hellsen. Backtrack readers also recall their memories of Swedish riders who rode in the UK, including the late Leif Wahlmann, Per Jonsson, Jan Andersson, Hasse Holmqvist, Tony Olsson and Roland Danno.

Double standards

The farcical increase in riders who appear regularly for two different teams, ever-growing use of the Rider Replacement facility and the crazy proliferation of guests has reached epidemic proportions. Doug Nicolson examines the early history of doubling-up.

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1988

Andrew Skeels looks back on another year dominated by Danes, while Coventry and Hackney reigned supreme on the domestic front as British speedway celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

KING CINDER . . . 40 years on

Speedway barely gets a mention in BBC Television circles these days but in 1977-78 our sport was central to the plot of a fictional children's TV series viewed by tens of thousands. Rob Peasley sets the scene and speaks to several ex-Rye House riders who took part in filming of King Cinder.

CRAYFORD: 50 Memorable Moments

Deft throttle control and a good racing brain were two vital ingredients riders needed to thrive in the tight confines of the tricky London Road track. ROB PEASLEY looks back at the Kent club's stop-start existence in the second tier and recalls the impact made by star riders such as Mick Handley, Geoff Ambrose, Tony Childs, Laurie Etheridge, Alan Sage, Les Rumsey, Paul Woods, Steve Naylor, Barry Thomas, Trevor Banks, etc.

OPENING TIMES - Castleford 1979

Recalling the two-year Castleford experiment in 1979-80, Andrew Skeels talks to Kevin Clapham, the man who rode most laps at the short-lived West Yorkshire venue.

Ex factor - the free passes debate continues

In our last issue Tony Mac advocated free admission to UK tracks for all ex-riders who have ridden for at least one season in British speedway and readers, for and against the idea, had their say too. This time, Martin Rogers responds from a promoter's viewpoint.

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ISSUE 84 (JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2018)

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JIM AIREY - exclusive new interview

Jim Airey arrived in England a relative unknown outside his native Sydney but by the time he returned home seven years later, he was a World Cup winner, Australia's top rider, Sheffield's brilliant No.1 and a British League superstar. Steve Magro caught up with the four times Australian Champion at his home on the sunny Gold Coast to find out more about a special talent who began his British racing days with Sunderland and Wolverhampton.

Here come the . . . NORWEGIANS

Following his review of the Swedes in our last issue, Martin Rogers stays in Scandinavia to reflect on the men who left their speedway backwater to show Norse power . . . Sverre Harrfeldt, Reidar Eide, Oyvind Berg, Odd Fossengen, Edgar Stangeland, Dag & Ulf Lovaas, Rolf Gramstad, Einar Kyllingstad. Our readers also recall their memories of Norwegians who rode in Britain.

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1970

Andrew Skeels reflects on the dawn of a new decade marred by our sport's biggest ever disaster, at Lokeren, where five members of the West Ham party were killed in a road crash. It was another year dominated by Ivan Mauger, who completed a unique hat-trick of individual World Championship victories and led Belle Vue to the BL1 title, although Wimbledon denied Aces the league and cup double. In the second division, Canterbury edged out southern rivals Eastbourne for the BL2 title, in the year second tier speedway started at Peterborough, Workington and Rochdale . . . and finished at Nelson.

EDINBURGH: 50 Memorable Moments

Rob Peasley looks back over the Scottish club's time at four homes and their achievements with stars including history-making world title winner Jack Young, George Hunter, Bert Harkins, Bobby Beaton, Neil and Les Collins, Doug Wyer and Peter Carr.

COLIN GEAR interview (part one)

In part one of a revealing, in-depth interview Tony McDonald catches up with the former riders' union boss once referred to as 'Speedway's Arthur Scargill'.

NEAREST & DEAREST

Doug Nicolson digs out his route-planner and looks at the journeys, both near and far, undertaken for league matches.

OPENING TIMES - Bradford 1985-86

ANDREW SKEELS on the relaunch of Odsal Stadium as an international venue in 1985 and, a year later, Dukes' ill-fated move from Halifax to Bradford, as recalled by former promoter Eric Boothroyd.

ALLIED FORCES

As the 50th anniversary of the formation of British League Division Two looms, Martin Rogers casts a knowing eye over the united group of influential men behind the mini revolution that spawned three new tracks and a vibrant second tier, thanks largely to Maurice Littlechild, Reg Fearman, Len Silver, Ron Wilson and Danny Dunton.

KING OF THE TRACK

In our last issue we reviewed the 1977 fictional children's BBC TV series King Cinder in which speedway featured prominently. In this follow-up, Rob Peasley talks to the lead actor Peter Duncan.

Also . . . Obits on Odd Fossengen and Cliff Anderson, plus supporters Dave Rattenberry, 'Noddy' Fordham and Carole Haslam.

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ISSUE 85 (MARCH - APRIL 2018)

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MIKE SAMPSON - Exclusive interview

Quiet man Mike Sampson has opened up on his racing days after stepping away from speedway in disillusionment in the early 80s. Here, the major trophy winner with Exeter, White City, Eastbourne and Cradley Heath tells Phil Chard why he quit, aged 37, after only starting riding at 25.

'Sammo' also rode in the second tier for Romford, West Ham, Barrow, Nottingham and Stoke.

Looking back on his otherwise happy time with Nottingham Outlaws, Mike told Backtrack: â€œI walked out of a meeting there on one occasion. The Poles came over and the track was wet and deep in dirt. The Poles were loving it but it was bad for us, so I said: 'This is terrible' and pulled out of the meeting.

â€œOur team manager Bob Griffin, a lovely fellow, wanted to have me fined but I said: 'You fine me and my speedway days are over, I won't ride again'."

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1984

Andrew Skeels looks back over a tumultuous year in which British speedway found itself in the dock, tainted by the whiff of corruption. The Danes were taking a stranglehold, the career of England's last World Champion was virtually over, the world's greatest-ever rider was bowing out of UK league racing and an ever-widening split between the two domestic leagues became a chasm.

Here come the . . . AUSTRALIANS

Having employed his fair share of Australian riders before heading Down Under, Queensland-based Martin Rogers is well qualified to run the rule over men who left a country very dear to his heart to pursue their speedway dreams in British racing. Jim Airey, John Boulger, Garry Middleton, Phil Crump, John Titman, Billy Sanders and Phil Herne obviously feature among many others, including Bob Humphreys, Mike Farrell, Steve Regeling, Stephen Davies, Mick Poole, Craig Hodgson and Troy Butler.

Our readers also recall their memories of Aussies who rode in the top two divisions of the UK. There are mentions for Merv Janke, Peter Moore, Todd Wiltshire, Dave Cheshire, Mick McKeon, Craig Hyde, Dave Shields, Robbie McGregor, Stephen Barr and Rod Colquhoun.

COLIN GEAR interview (part two)

In part two of his candid interview with Tony McDonald, former Speedway Riders' Association secretary Colin Gear recalls more key issues and characters from his time in the hot seat. He recalls:

* His dealings with Kenny Carter - the American feud and that explosive 1984 British Final.

* Court room battles involving Michael Lee, Mark Fiora, Paul Woods and the fall-out from the Sunday People 'scandal'.

*Disputes with promoters (he was banned by two of them) and another who offered him a £400 inducement to move a rider on to another club.

* How the riders' union reacted to the 80s drugs culture in speedway.

* A time when the SRA had more power and influence and the right to refuse work permits.

* The World Champion who was most supportive.

Gear told Backtrack: "There was a lot of smoke and mirrors and rumours surrounding the use of drugs in speedway but riders were very rarely tested for drugs or alcohol. Michelle Verroken of the UK Sports Council phoned me one day and asked: 'What is speedway's anti-drugs policy?' and I had to reply: 'I don't think there is one'."

WORKINGTON: 50 Memorable Moments

Rob Peasley traces the highs and lows of an outpost club that, though still seeking its first league title, has enjoyed giant-killing cup glory and is about to enter its 20th consecutive second-tier season.

OPENING TIMES - Bradford 1970

Andrew Skeels looks back almost 48 years to the successful revival of a famous, old West Yorkshire venue.

JIMMY BEATON: THE MAN WHO SAVED TIGERS

Doug Nicolson recalls the life and times of the former Glasgow promoter who died recently . . .

MICK HANDLEY - Exclusive interview

Mick Handley, who had top flight spells with Wolverhampton, Cradley Heath and West Ham, tells Rob Peasley how he overcame family tragedy to go on and enjoy second tier success with Stoke, Scunthorpe and especially Oxford.

ON TWO MINUTES WITH . . . GARRY MONK

The former Hackney and Rye House youngster looks back on his brief career with Martin Neal.

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ISSUE 86 (MAY - JUNE, 2018)

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WHEN the sad news reached us that Ivan Mauger had died in a Gold Coast nursing home, aged 78, on April 16, 2018, we decided there and then that issue of Backtrack would be devoted entirely to the memory of the man we recognise as the greatest-ever speedway rider.

The special commemorative collectors' edition is packed with tributes from many of his biggest friends and rivals, including Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs, Ole Olsen, Peter Collins and Anders Michanek, plus Bruce Penhall, Hans Nielsen and many others.

We hear from Guy Allott and Gordon Stobbs, two key members of Ivan's mechanical support team.

Supporters from all over the globe also share their personal memories of the great man, who played a very influential role in winning league championships with Newcastle, Belle Vue (three) and Exeter before leading Hull to their best-ever top tier season.

For the statistically minded, we have the Mauger Timeline, Ivan's British League season-by-season career record, from 1965 to 1984, as well as his 'British Track Tour', listing every UK venue at which he rode (excluding training schools).

Drawing on his past interviews in the magazine, we reproduce some of Ivan's thoughts on key subjects that affected his time in the game.

Martin Rogers and Tony Mac offer their personal take on the man who changed the face of speedway forever.

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ISSUE 87 (JULY - AUGUST, 2018)

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TONY LOMAS - Exclusive interview

Third in the British Final, a maximum for England and just a point away from reaching the World Final, Tony Lomas held down a full-time job and started a new business while scaling the heights in a brilliant 1971 campaign that put him on the speedway map. Tony McDonald tracked him down in the Yorkshire Dales to find out why his career with home-town club Coventry ended acrimoniously and how a protracted move led to title-winning glory with Exeter.

Tony Lomas quotes: "I was naive and overawed. I led in every race for a couple of races but then let people pass me because I didn't think I was good enough to be in front. It sounds silly but that was how I felt in the big meetings at that time. I wanted to do well but didn't think I was capable."

"Being a local lad, I hadn't cost Coventry a penny in transfer fees, I never received any signing-on money or guarantees and my travelling expenses to Brandon were 25p per meeting."

"It was an honour to ride in the same team as him but, at the same time, I was in awe of him because he was so good. Ivan was in his own bubble but, all credit to him, he was fantastic."

"The Exeter promoters treated me well. They paid me £750 for signing-on at the start of the championship year but Wally came on the following winter and said they didn't want to pay as much as that in '75. I was disappointed - they'd just won the league and were getting tremendous crowds - but I told him that if he had to lose a rider (through Rider Control), I was prepared to consider going."

Here come the . . . AMERICANS

Martin Rogers, editor of Bruce Penhall's Stars and Bikes book in 1980, recalls the all-American heroes whose unique brand of showmanship brought colour and razzmatazz to the British League scene . . . plus how British fans remember the Californians.

SCOTT AUTREY - Trailblazer

Steve Luxton reports from California, where former team-mates and friends gathered to see Scott Autrey honoured by his peers.

COLIN GOODDY - Exclusive interview

An unlikely move to Poole revitalised the near veteran Colin Gooddy's career. Phil Chard catches up with one of the sport's great characters whose much-travelled career also included spells in the Backtrack era with Oxford, Cradley Heath and Crayford.

BRETT'S BATTLE

Martin Neal talks to the former Berwick, Edinburgh and Aussie favourite Brett Saunders who admits he's lucky to be alive after suffering a serious stoke last December.

IAN MACDONALD - man who delivered the Mail

In the first of a new series of interviews, we turn the tables on those who have written countless words on speedway. Tony McDonald has a long chat with the founding editor of Speedway Mail.

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1971

Andrew Skeels reflects on a season which heralded a world title for the speedway's first Great Dane, a British history-maker in Poland, domestic bliss for Belle Vue, Hackney, Eastbourne and Ipswich, the return of league racing to Birmingham and the end for Romford and Wembley.

COLIN GEAR interview (part 3)

In this third and final part, we bring you more behind-the-scenes revelations from former riders' union boss, including a riders' revolt against referee Frank Ebdon, the SRA's battle to keep foreign riders out of the second division, Colin's disgust when the Lee Richardson Memorial meeting was scrapped and more.

ON TWO MINUTES WITH . . . LAWRIE BLOOMFIELD

Martin Neal catches up with the former Ipswich, Newcastle, Peterborough, Canterbury and Arena-Essex rider now enjoying family life in Brisbane, Australia.

MILTON KEYNES: 50 Memorable Moments

It's 40 years since speedway came to the Buckinghamshire new town famous for its concrete cows and network of roundabouts. Rob Peasley looks back at the most happy and gloomy times for Knights whose star riders included Bob Humphreys, Andy Grahame, Bert Harkins, Nigel Sparshott, Keith White, Steve Payne, Trevor Banks, Troy Butler and Gordon Kennett. Brett Alderton and Craig Featherby, both killed in the early 80s, are also remembered.

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ISSUE 88 (SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER, 2018)

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RONNIE MOORE - HUMBLE HERO
MARTIN ROGERS leads the tributes to one of the greatest, a track giant always spoken about in reverential terms by his peers and supporters alike. The double World Champion and Wimbledon legend passed away in his native Christchurch, New Zealand on August 18, 2018, aged 85.

Martin writes: "Statistics can be twisted and turned to prove or disprove anything, armchair pundits can believe whatever they want, but if you take the word of Ivan Mauger and Briggo, who won 10 individual world titles between them, there was nobody like Ronnie."

BOB DUGARD - MISTER EASTBOURNE
Bobby Dugard, the man who kept Eastbourne Eagles flying higher and longer than anyone, died, aged 76, on August 5, 2018. Former Eastbourne co-promoter and team manager RUSSELL LANNING pays tribute to his old mentor and inspiration and looks back on four meetings that encapsulate his memories of Bob. Readers also express their views on the irreplaceable Arlington legend.

Russ writes: "Underneath that hard-as-nails exterior was the softest, most gentle generous guy who was happiest sitting in the background watching 'his' team take the plaudits. His passion to create successful sides also gelled with his love of producing a track surface that the majority of the current British circuit curators could only dream about. He knew every inch of every track he worked on."

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1981
Looking back on another momentous year with ANDREW SKEELS, who recalls the sudden decline in England's fortunes and the rise of the Danes, dominant Bruce Penhall in the last Wembley final, first championships for Cradley Heath and Middlesbrough, and the closure of Hull . . .

REG LUCKHURST - Exclusive interview
PHIL CHARD talks to a seasoned performer with Wimbledon, West Ham and Canterbury who was a hit on and off track. Reg reflects on his successful time as a recording artist, signing tunes such as Your Cheatin' Heart and In The Misty Moonlight.

Reg says: â€œThey promoted it on Housewives' Choice (a popular BBC radio record request programme), Radio Luxembourg and Radio London and Colin asked: 'Is there any other way you can promote it?'

â€œI said: 'if you take a record to every speedway track in the country and say I'll sign the disc for everyone who buys it at the speedway track, that'll do for a start', and it did go down well.

â€œWe sold 11,000 records in a week. Decca couldn't believe it. They hadn't heard of anyone like me making a record for the first time selling 11,000 that fast before.

â€œWe got 6d a record (37 pence today) and the Decca sales director said: 'Would you like to record another one?'"
'Lucky' also talks about building his own speedway practice track in his native Kent, shares his thoughts on the racing careers of his sons Jamie and Jeremy, and why he regretted managing Canterbury.

CREWE: 50 Memorable Moments
Speedway ran at Crewe for only eight seasons, from 1969 to 1976, but as ROB PEASLEY recalls, Kings were crowned league and cup double winners and featured second tier stars including Geoff Curtis, record-breaking Barry Meeks, Phil Crump, John Jackson, Dave Morton, Garry Flood, Jack Millen

TONY LOMAS - Exclusive interview (Part 2)
After earning international acclaim with his local club Coventry and winning the BL title with Exeter, Tony Lomas lost enthusiasm for the sport and ended up walking out on Leicester. But as he explains in the second and final part of his candid interview with TONY McDONALD, a spell back in the second tier with Stoke rekindled the flame before safety concerns convinced him to retire.

Tony also explains the 'secrets' of his lightning gating technique, the effect the death of former team-mate Kevin Holden had on the Lomas family, how and why the Midland Riders' Championship was "fixed".

Tony says: "I went to one or two of the other riders and told them: 'It's a death-trap and I'm not going to ride but if you choose to do so, it's up to you'. They said: 'Oh yeah, we'll back you up' but, of course, as it got closer to the start of the meeting, they were all putting their leathers on.

"I had my leathers on too but then I thought, 'do I bloody well need this?'. I said to Kevin Ellery, my mechanic - he was a bricklayer from Rugby and in the close season I worked for him as a hod carrier: 'Go and get my bikes, we're going home'.

"My leathers were down around my knees when Ron Wilson came rushing into the dressing room and said: 'What the hell are you doing?' I replied: 'I'm getting changed and then going home - I'm finished'.

"I was just about to drive out of the car park when I met Ivan (Mauger), who was just arriving - Exeter were on second in the meeting. I told him what had happened and that I'd had enough, and he said: 'If you feel like that, it's probably the best thing to do, otherwise you could hurt yourself'."

Here come the . . . CZECHS
In the last of the series, MARTIN ROGERS looks back at the impact of the bouncing Czechs who invariably delivered high thrills and spills, if not always best results. Featured riders include Antonin Kasper, Jiri Stancl, Vaclav and Jan Verner, Zdenek Kudrna, Ales Dryml and Milan Spinka.

Readers also remember their favourite Czechs, with mentions for Emil Sova and the touring team that rocked Romford.

BEST & WORST
DOUG NICOLSON trawled the record books for biggest wins and losses in the British League and National League years (1970-90) and figured out that Happiness Wasn't Always 40-38.

THE WRITE STUFF - JOHN CHAPLIN
TONY McDONALD talks to the prolific author, former magazine editor and publisher and, at 84, still a weekly columnist who made it his mission to preserve speedway's history.

Defending himself over his controversial Ivan Mauger book, John says: "I sent a complete disk of the narrative of that book to Ivan well in advance of publication, so he had ample time to object to anything I had written. He didn't. And I respected him even more for that.

"Incidentally, I have had a good relationship with the Mauger family for many years and still do. And I regret not a single word that appears in that book and there has never been any adverse criticism of the content. There is far more positive comment favourable to Ivan than there is negative. It is a book I am intensely proud of."

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO . . . STUART ULPH
MARTIN NEAL catches up with the former Sheffield and Doncaster prospect whose short-lived racing career was effectively ended by a crash.

Stuart says: â€œI once rode at Belle Vue in a bloody thunderstorm! It was tanking it down and by the time you'd got 100 yards out of the gate you couldn't see where you were going and you had to take your goggles off. We didn't worry about that, though - we weren't bothered about getting our fancy leathers dirty!

â€œYou were all mates back then. If your bike broke down, before the two minutes were up there was somebody out there saying: 'Here, take my bike'. I used to carry spare sprockets and if anyone wanted to borrow one, I used to lend them it. Now they hardly even talk to each other."

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ISSUE 89 (NOVEMBER - DECEMBER, 2018)

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ARENA-ESSEX HAMMER BLOW

In September, Arena-Essex became the latest in a long line of former speedway venues. MARTIN NEAL was at the Purfleet track on an emotional night to speak to some of the key figures in the early part of the club's 34-year history, including the first 1984 race winner Alan Sage, plus Andrew Silver, Martin Goodwin, Ian Humphreys, Troy Pratt, Sean Barker and former boss Peter Thorogood.

Andrew says: â€œI had some great races with Martin Goodwin - I remember some 12-lappers - we had some massive battles along the way. You couldn't have asked for more from a competitor on the track - we had some great times.â€
As our separate piece to the main Arena feature reveals, the Essex track became the 56th British venue lost to speedway since 1970 (soon followed by Rye House).

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1972

ANDREW SKEELS reflects on a memorable year in which Ivan Mauger won his fourth individual world title, led Great Britain to World Team Cup glory and guided Belle Vue to the British League and KO Cup double, while Crewe were crowned kings of Division Two, England won the World Pairs for the first time and the BL welcomed overseas newcomers in Billy Sanders and Tommy Jansson.

SWINDON: 50 Memorable Moments

ROB PEASLEY looks at the history of the first club to achieve back-to-back league titles in the top two divisions and where Blunsdon heroes included Barry Briggs, Martin Ashby, Bob Kilby, Phil Crump, Jimmy Nilsen and Leigh Adams.

REG LUCKHURST - Exclusive interview

In part two of PHIL CHARD'S interview with Reg Luckhurst, the popular former world finalist recalls his role in introducing the sport to the Spanish island of Majorca and explains why the island dream failed to take off, before returning to mainland Spain 20 years later to run three meetings in Valencia. The ex-Wimbledon and West Ham star also talks technical about his RL Weslake conversion and the tragic loss of Dons team-mate Tommy Jansson.

'Lucky' says: â€œThe first meeting we held, we had nearly 3,000 spectators. Bernie and Ian thought they'd pull in British speedway supporters on holiday but it was the Spanish riders' families and friends who came, locals supporting their boys."

THE WRITE STUFF - MARTIN ROGERS

Although best known as the hands-on promoter at three tracks in the 80s, Martin Rogers established himself as one of speedway's top scribes long before then. TONY McDONALD finds out more about this prolific, media-savvy wordsmith.

Martin says: "These days, a lot of tracks have a caller in the box and a centre green presenter but in my general manager spell at Lynn I did both the pre-match parade and the general announcing. The intros always were great fun - Dave Lanning and Trevor Redmond, proper showmen, were my inspiration in that area. From both I learned how important it is to properly acknowledge the status and appeal of each and every rider from one to seven. They're all stars."

COLIN ACKROYD - Exclusive interview

ROB PEASLEY catches up with the once promising Oxford and Eastbourne prospect who was forced to quit racing at 25 and is now battling MS.

Colin says: â€œBernard Crapper and John Payne had a bet between them that I would reach an average of 6.00 by the end of my first full season. I didn't realise until Bernard came up to me towards the end of the season and told me: 'I need you to have a good one tonight!'. It was great fun at Oxford and I grew in confidence."

GEOFF ROGERS - Exclusive interview

DAVID BERESFORD re-visits the once quaint village of Partington, where world champions, international stars and numerous other speedway and grasstrack riders had their first skid on the farm owned by Peter Collins' dad.

â€œDad's farm was a busy place,â€ recalled PC, â€œand not just with farming. There was always a group of us racing around on something even before we built our makeshift track on land that was reclaimed when the River Mersey was redirected during the building of the Manchester Ship Canal. Dad would be around and George Morton (father of Dave and Chris) was often there mending this, welding that, and his wife Hilary regularly provided first aid!"

NEVER DID SAY 'GOODBYE'

With the 2018 season now finished, DOUG NICOLSON hopes that fans made a point of getting along to their track's final meeting of the year because, well, you never know . . .

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ISSUE 90 (JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2019)

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THE MONEY MEN

One of many elements missing from modern speedway is the excitement of the transfer market. When the old rider control system was phased out, and a points limit instituted, it soon coincided with a decade in which buying and selling of riders was much in vogue - and, as he recalls here, MARTIN ROGERS was king of the wheeler-dealers.

We also list the biggest movers of the 1970-89 period, all riders who were involved in transfer deals in excess of £10,000.

SON OF MY FATHER: KYM & IVAN MAUGER

In the first of a regular new series, RICHARD BOTT talks to the man who had the impossible task of trying to follow in the tyre tracks of the legend widely regarded as the greatest-ever speedway rider. Kym Mauger, who had spells with Newcastle and Glasgow in the 80s, opens up about life with his famous dad, Ivan.

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1983

ANDREW SKEELS reflects on a year in which double winners Cradley Heath ruled the top sphere, Newcastle regained the National League title, Denmark began a long unbroken spell of world domination, Egon MÃ¼ller became the home track hero, while Leicester suffered a crushing, terminal blow.

SCUNTHORPE: 50 Memorable Moments

They were tagged 'unfashionable' and endured many seasons of struggle but as ROB PEASLEY records, Scunthorpe were once led by a Scottish legend and, in more recent times, a future three times World Champion.

CHRIS MARTIN - Exclusive interview

Not even a bad injury that ended his brief British racing career can spoil Chris Martin's happy memories with Weymouth in the early 80s, when he was 'living the dream'. PHIL CHARD catches up with a former referee, GP start marshal and friend of the Briggs family.

THE WRITE STUFF - DON ALLEN

As TONY McDONALD and others who knew the creator of the groundbreaking Speedway Stop Press observe, they don't make journalists like this innovative, diligent, honourable gentleman anymore.

DAG LOVAAS - Exclusive interview

A recent emotional visitor to Oxford Stadium was Norwegian Dag Lovaas, the No.1 for Rebels in 1975, who was making his first return to his former track since riding in an inter-league four team tournament at Cowley in 1976.

THE LATE SHOW

The British speedway season is officially meant to end on the final day of October. But, as DOUG NICOLSON explains, extensions into November - even for less important fixtures - were by no means unusual.

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ISSUE 91 (MARCH - APRIL, 2019)

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SON OF MY FATHER: TONY & BARRY BRIGGS

RICHARD BOTT catches up with Tony Briggs, who recalls the painful aftermath of his career-ending crash and explains why helping current riders to avoid a similar fate - and worse - has enabled him to make an indelible mark on the sport his famous father once dominated.

In the second half of our main feature . . .

How hard must it have been for Tony Briggs to follow his world famous father? TONY McDONALD put the question to the legendary Barry Briggs, who shines an insightful light on the obstacles that he is convinced hampered his son's speedway ambitions.

BACKCHAT Q&A with Martin Rogers

Introducing a regular new feature where you, our readers, have the chance to fire questions at our lead columnist. As one of the most respected promoters and administrators of the Backtrack era, no-one is better qualified to respond to questions about the burning issues of the 70s and 80s. Among subjects up for debate this time are the effects of the four-valve revolution, promoters who benefited from dual track interests, second-halves and the BSPA's World Final share-out. MR also reflects on what he considers to be the promoters' decision he most regrets from his time in the sport.

THAT WAS THE YEAR: 1975

ANDREW SKEELS turns the clock back some 44 years to another great summer for the mighty England team. He also recalls how track conditions overshadowed Ole Olsen's second world title success and why new and returning teams helped the two domestic leagues to thrive.

DAVID BILES - Exclusive interview

One of the most popular riders in Poole's National League era and also a young star at Weymouth, David Biles tells PHIL CHARD why he was a reluctant hero and decided to quit while still a star heat leader at 22.

NEWPORT: 50 Memorable Moments

ROB PEASLEY looks at the South Wales club that was at the heart of the four-valve revolution in Europe, led by Australian great Phil Crump at a much-maligned track that even some of the world's best didn't relish visiting. Wasps and Dragons favourites featured include Torbjorn Harrysson, Sandor Levai, Tommy Johansson, Neil Street, Reidar Eide, Phil Herne, Steve Gresham, Brian Woodward, plus NL stars Mike Broadbank and Jim Brett, and those prominent following the 1997 revival at Hayley Stadium, Queensway Meadows, right up to the club's sad demise early in 2012.

ONE TRACK MIND

DOUG NICOLSON looks at speedway's 'lifers', riders of the 70s and 80s who spent their entire career at just one track. Such loyal one club men include Bernie Leigh, Les Owen, Martin McKinna and Mike Caroline, plus those who rode for different clubs but under the same promotion - the likes of Eric Boocock and Norman Storer.

THE WRITE STUFF - RICHARD CLARK

There is much more to the long-serving former editor of Speedway Star than denim jeans, a thirst for Guinness and a carrier bag full of vinyl Bob Dylan albums. In this first of a fascinating two-part interview, TONY McDONALD traces Clarkie's path from school rebel to Star man.

WORLD LONGTRACK FINALS of the 70s

In part one of our review of speedway's 'bigger brother', ROB PEASLEY looks back at the early history of the FIM competition won by some of tracksport's all-time greats. Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen, Anders Michanek, Egon Muller and Alois Wiesbock all claimed the 1,000 metres title in the decade under review.

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TRACK MEMORIES DVDs

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MAGAZINES

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Final Issue 111 out now!
For fans who loved speedway
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CLASSIC SPEEDWAY
Final Issue 57 out now!
Launched in May 2008, the glossy quarterly specialising
in the 50s and 60s eras

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