MAIN MAN - JOHN DAVIS 'Kick the useless foreigners out of British Speedway!'
That is the no-holds barred opinion of John Davis, one of the most eloquent and outspoken riders of the 1970s and 80s Backtrack era, whose exclusive, hard-hitting interview dominates our latest issue.
In trying to pinpoint some of the main problems behind England's demise as a world force in speedway, twice World Cup-winner Davis - who now manages GB international Lee Richardson - also questions the attitude of the Brits themselves.
He says: "There is a worrying tendency for every new, young British rider to have their name emblazoned on the side of their van before they have even made their name in speedway. You would think they would be too embarrassed to do it."
One of the sport's most charismatic characters of the last boom period, Davis talks in-depth about his colourful career that included spells with Oxford, Reading, Poole, Wimbledon, King's Lynn, Swindon, Sheffield and Peterborough, plus Diedenbergen in Germany, where JD was a big favourite.
He talks controversially about his turbulent England career and admits "there was a north-south divide in the national team set-up."
And the image-conscious JD, who pioneered pink leathers, also reveals how he felt about being called ‘Mavis' by his fellow riders and fans!
It's another thoroughly compelling interview in the magazine that always gets to the heart of the matter.
OLE OLSEN - Part Two Speedway's most powerful figure raised more than a few eyebrows with his opinions (and suggested remedies) for British speedway in our last issue, and the Speedway Grand Prix Race Director is back in the second and final part of Tony Mac's exclusive interview with more controversial views that are bound to captivate readers.
In particular, Olsen reveals his side of his famous feud with fellow Dane Hans Nielsen that dominated the headlines in the mid-80s, how it affected both Hans and Erik Gundersen and also why he was disappointed with comments from his former Coventry protégé Tommy Knudsen. Ole told Backtrack: "I did more for Hans Nielsen than anybody has ever done for him. Hans wanted to beat Erik just to prove to me that he was the better rider."
Three times World Champion Olsen also reflects on his highs and lows in pursuit of his World Championship dreams in 11 individual finals, and why he was determined to build his own track at Vojens.
Our latest seven-page feature on Olsen includes brand new colour photographs of Ole at home in Denmark with his family. plus a cracking full-page colour shot of the Great Dane's 24-carat gold plated Jawa machine.
Our lead columnist JOHN BERRY also provides his own view of both Davis and Olsen.
LARRY ROSS We've tracked down one of the most successful riders at his home in New Zealand. Larry tells Martin Neal what it took to follow in the tyre tracks of his fellow Kiwis from Christchurch, Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger in a career that embraced successful spells for Wimbledon, Belle Vue, Halifax and Bradford. Larry recalls his country's finest hour, when they became world team champions in 1979. He explains why he quit the UK scene so young . . . and what has prompted him to make a track comeback at the age of 50!
MEET THE BOSS It takes all sorts to become a speedway promoter, as this insightful piece by national newspaper journalist Richard Bott illustrates. Dick reveals his past dealings with leading Northern-based track bosses Mike Parker, Frank Varey, Reg Fearman, Ian Thomas, Bryan Larner, Eric Boocock, Eric Boothroyd and Stuart Bamforth.
STEVE LOMAS What became of the former Hackney, Wolverhampton, Edinburgh and Boston rider to is still getting his racing kicks on the beach!
DEFUNCT TRACK: SUNDERLAND Ivan Mauger never lost a race there, but speedway was only staged at Sunderland for five seasons. Taking a comprehensive, if curious, look back at this friendly North-East venue where the bikes haven't roared since 1974, but where a neat little stadium just made for modern speedway still exists.
Also...
The Rod Haynes Column, Q&As with Paul Evitts, Mick Fielding and Dick Barrie, your letters, the penultimate round of this year's Mastermind quiz and more!
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MAGAZINES
BACKTRACK - for fans who loved speedway in the 70s & 80s
VSM - pure nostalgia from the pioneers to the late 1960s
