GREAT RACES OF THE 80s DVD

There's no doubt that the 1980s were an important era in the history of speedway, with a marked decline in attendances figure throughout the decade and a resultant loss of interest from the mainstream media. Despite this, it was still a decade that saw many real characters producing top quality racing on a weekly basis.

Some of those classic races can be enjoyed once more on Great Races from the 80s, a new double-DVD production from Retro Speedway.

It runs for nearly four hours and truly covers the whole decade, featuring races from March 1980 right through to October 1989.

The focus is primarily on action from UK tracks, though there are a few races from Europe and further afield included. The producers have cast the net wide, including races from a large number of different tracks and from different levels of competition.

This means that the majority of these races are going to be new to all viewers, this isn't a compilation that relies on highlights from big meetings that have been seen many times before.

Click here to read the full review . . .  SpeedwayPlus

Steve Roberts (British Speedway Forum): Having read the chapter in Peter's book about ex-riders visiting their track free of charge, I have to agree with his views 100 per cent. He goes into it in great detail and, personally, I don't see it as a problem and the initiative would only benefit the track involved with good PR and supporter involvement. It's a shame that his friendship with Chris Morton appears to have been badly affected with events that the new Belle Vue and its regime's policy adopted (no image of Peter Craven in the lounge dedicated to the great Ace beggars belief!). The talk of a museum within the new complex was also met with apathy apparently by those in charge at the time. Ex- Cheetah Mark Lemon appears to follow the same directive and it's all very sad and helps creates animosity. No wonder speedway is in the state that it now appears to ‘enjoy’.
I would be aghast if I thought that my own track Oxford expected the likes of Eddie Reeves, Rick Timmo, Gordon Kennett and Dag Lovaas were expected to pay on entry to Cowley.

Alan Turton: A book I simply couldn't put down after starting to read. Just a wonderful book which brought back so many great memories of watching Peter in action in the 70s and 80s.

Richard Scott: Love the book. How I remember speedway PC and all the greats.

Rolf Majaranta: Just finished this excellent autobiography. I'm very impressed about his honesty and all the hard work he did for Belle Vue Speedway after his retirement. Especially pleased that space was also given to his longtrack activities. Nice to read his memories of his run-off with Marcel Gerhard for silver and bronze medals at the 1986 longtrack World Final. Best wishes to PC from Switzerland.

Paul Frankum: I must congratulate you on the Peter Collins autobiography. I’ve got to say, I think this could be your best-ever book. The pictures and the quality, especially for the price of £20, is outstanding. I am so looking forward to reading it.

SPEEDWAY IN THE 70s A TO Z DVD
David Golley: I just wanted to drop you a note to say congratulations and thank you for the A to Z DVD. It’s brilliant viewing and silly as it might sound, emotional viewing too. I found myself with tears in my eyes a number of times, partly because of the memories evoked of a golden time but also, like many, a sadness that our once great sport is a shadow of its former self.

Vicky Saxecoburg: Brilliant DVD. My better half has watched it four times. It’s well worth the money. Can't recommend it enough.

MEMORIES OF SHEFFIELD SPEEDWAY DVD
Doug Wyer (ex-Sheffield No.1): I was very impressed with the DVD, it’s really good. It must have taken a lot to put together. You’ve done a fantastic job.

Mick Neale: A must buy for any Sheffield Tigers fans. Brilliant from start to finish. A real eye-opener the things that went on behind the scenes. Fascinating interviews with ex-riders and promoters and some great racing from the past. 10 out of 10 and thank you for putting this all together.

Speedway Plus: Sheffield is one of British speedway's longest established and most stable tracks. The great history of the club is the subject of a new triple-DVD from Retro Speedway. Memories of Sheffield Speedway is a mix of racing action, interviews and interesting pieces of historical archive footage.

It's really very, very good indeed and we would recommend it to all speedway fans.

It concentrates on the history of the club up until the nineties, with particular attention paid to the sport's golden era in the 70s and 80s. Riders and officials from throughout the years were interviewed this year specifically for this DVD set. These include Guy Allott, Nicky Allott, Doug Wyer, Craig Pendlebury, Neil Machin and Reg Wilson. There are also interviews with many others like Clive Featherby, Shawn Moran and Dave Morton.

The star of the show is very definitely Dougie ‘the flyer’ Wyer. Doug is tremendous value, with his very honest and candid opinions and recollections. He admits that he wasn't much of a team rider, just concentrating on winning races, rather than trying to shepherd home a slower team mate. He also remembers the disappointment of having to take a pay cut when he was on the verge of a testimonial, admitting that racing for less money resulted in him putting in less effort. His career was highly successful and he's rightly proud of his achievements, being able to freely reel off statistics about the number of points he scored.

You can't think about Wyer without also bringing Reg Wilson to mind. Reg's career as a Sheffield Tiger pretty much over-lapped with Doug's, forming a strong spearhead throughout the seventies. Reg is also interviewed at length, perhaps not quite as comfortable in front of the camera as his old pal, but very happy to share stories and reflect on his own vast contribution to the cause.

In the late 80s the undoubted stars at Sheffield were the spectacular Moran brothers. We see some of their great races, demonstrating their remarkable skills on a racer's track that suited their styles. There are also interviews with both of the boys. Kelly is no longer with us, but we hear his final interview when Tony McDonald phoned him in him hospital shortly before his passing. It's a very moving piece of audio, with Kelly still maintaining the good humour he was famous for. The interview with Shawn is also quite emotional as he looks back on his own career, concentrating on both the highs and lows of his time with Sheffield.

There was a gap in the story of Sheffield Speedway when the club closed down prior to the 1989 season. Thankfully their absence from the sport was relatively brief as they re-emerged as a lower tier side in 1991. Their first meeting back, under the stewardship of Cliff Carr, is covered in depth, with contemporary interviews with the likes of Neil Evitts and Peter Carr, cousin of the aforementioned Cliff.

The Cliff Carr era didn't last too long, with Neil Machin and Tim Lucking forming a new promotion that brought long -term stability to the steel city side. Machin is now best in West Australia but that didn't stop the producers from tracking him down for interview. He's another that speaks well and offers an honest assessment of his time in charge.

One of the biggest stars of the Machin era was Sean Wilson, a tremendous rider and larger than life character. This DVD pays a warm tribute to both his on and off track antics.

Eric Boocock, who had a lengthy associated with the Tigers, is another plain-speaking participant, sharing some great stories from behind the scenes, including a mad dash to Oxtord in the Maurice Ducker era and how he deliberately mismarked programmes to get the best from some riders. A remarkable character and true speedway legend.

The interviews actually tend to be so good that the racing action is almost secondary, though there are many brilliant races included. Whether that's Collins v Michanek in '73, the Moran brothers in the 80s or Sean Wilson in the 90s.

The whole thing runs for over five-and-a-half hours, perfect viewing material for these long winter nights and certainly an ideal Christmas present for any speedway fan.

"As you know, our first associations go back to August 16, 1975 (a date I have no trouble remembering) and a 40-38 win over Wimbledon. I really liked that you filled in the eras without video with photographs of the riders of the day - big stars and the local riders who were often even more popular because of their connection to the club. Some of those black and white images from 1975/76 brought the memories flooding back.

"You did a really lovely touch with my Dad's cine film, thank you. Sadly, Ole didn't beat Hans Nielsen that evening but it reminded you how quick the races were (even before laydown engines) and the closeness of the racing. 

"I remember Ole's very first appearance in a Bees' race jacket, when several thousand of us turned up for the practice session in freezing weather a week before the tapes went up in 1976. I have a framed photo at home of Ole signing my brother Jon's autograph book (yes, he's still got that) and the rest of us cheering on. A week later, in Heat 1, he shot out of the gate, looked right and shepherded Alan Molyneux around for four laps, with Ray Wilson diving inside and out but unable to get past. The first of many times he'd lead us to victory.

"Other great races were captured and for those for which you didn't have images, it's brought back memories of many other races and meetings: Jon always recalls the dead-heat in May '76, when Nigel Boocock stalked Tommy Jansson for four laps, a couple of weeks before he was so tragically killed; the British Final of 76, where Simmo was "Super"; those perennial clashes with Cradley which ITV did so well to cover; and the 1979 title decider against Hull.

"You have compiled yet another fantastic and evocative collection of happy days, of great racing, drama and good times, so thank you.

"This is a must-buy for any Bees fan.

"My over-riding impression is actually that Coventry was far less of a gater's track than it was often criticised for and that it provided me and thousands of other fans with so many happy times. 

"The sad decline of the sport generally and the devastation of the stadium is awful for those of us who had such happy times over so many years. It was fitting that the last true memory went to Booey and the resting of his ashes. While the stadium may disappear, the happy times, the drama, the noise and smells will live forever."

Speedway Plus (www.speedwayplus.com): "Memories of Coventry Speedway is a six-hour epic that is an absolutely essential purchase for anyone who has spent happy evenings in CV8.

"Ole Olsen gives a lengthy interview, conducted recently, interspersed with archive clips of him in action for the Bees during his hey-day. It's clear that his influence over the club extended far beyond that you would normally expect a rider to have. Clearly inspired by the way that Ivan Mauger would transform a club, Olsen worked closely with promoter Charles Ochiltree to decide which riders would be signed and how the team would operate.

"There are hundreds of little moments on these DVDs that will transport you back to happier times. This production has clearly been a labour of love, it's beautifully put together and a "must have" for anyone who has ever supported the Bees. Even if you're a fan of another club, there's plenty here for you to enjoy too, a simply marvellous product that we highly recommend."

Garry Cambridge: "It's absolutely fabulous. Every Bees fan should have one. In fact, every speedway fan should! How lucky we were. They were the best of times. I watched the third disc last night and, of course, it has to include some images of the unthinkable, because it is the reality. I sensed in Tony Mac's narration his frustration at the senseless situation in which we find ourselves , because he's a speedway man and this is an incalculable loss to speedway. This is, for all that, a fabulous, absorbing production for any speedway fan and not just Coventry fans. Well done, Retro Speedway, it's superb, great stuff."

Jill Thomas: "Brilliant, really enjoyed it."

101 BIG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENTS (1970-1994) DVD
Speedway Plus (www.speedwayplus.com):  "A great mix of nostalgia, controversy and great racing."

SPEEDWAY IN THE 70s DVD
Duncan Pemberton: "If you haven't bought this DVD and you hanker for memories of the golden era, you HAVE to buy this. Glass of wine, stick it on and sit back and wallow in the time speedway was BRILLIANT. Your DVDs are great."

BACKTRACKING BOOK (Vol 1)
Speedway Star review by editor Richard Clark (Dec 8, 2016):"If you don't want these in your Christmas stocking, you're not a speedway fan. Only in speedway can you get such a colourful cavalcade of characters all so willing to talk openly and honestly about their time in the sport."
Speedway Plus (www.speedwayplus.com): "If you're a fan of 70s, 80s and 90s speedway who doesn't subscribe to Backtrack, then this will definitely appeal to you. Lots of the stars of those decades are able to speak with a candour that wouldn't have been possible during their careers." appeal to you. Lots of the stars of those decades are able to speak with a candour that wouldn't have been possible during their careers.

PETER COLLINS RACING DVD
Speedway Plus (www.speedwayplus.com): "The box-set is a must for every fan of speedway in the 70s and 80s. Peter Collins is one of the most entertaining speedway riders of all-time and this is packed with many great examples of his talents. There's the usual regret that he didn't race in the HD television era, but the quality of the racing makes up for the quality of some of the available footage."
Phil Collins (brother of PC): "Just seen the trailer. Get your copy. This would make a great Christmas gift, especially for dads and mums who would remember Peter when he was The Man."

AMERICANS IN BRITAIN RACING DVD
Speedway Plus (www.speedwayplus.com): "These DVDS are a useful reminder of some of the less celebrated Americans to make their way over the Atlantic. Names like Randy Green, Eddie Ingels, Ron Preston and Robert Pfetzing have slipped from memory over the years, so it's great to see them featured here. Running to four hours, there's enough great speedway action to keep any fan entertained, especially those that were seduced by the glitz and glamour of these All-American Boys."

BRUCE PENHALL RACING DVD
Gerald Clark: "Brilliant rider, great DVD."

DAVE MORTON: TAPES BREAKS AND HEARTACHES BOOK
Speedway Plus (www.speedwayplus.com): "It's a remarkably honest and detailed account of his career, also touching on his upbringing and his life since he retired. He's equally honest about his personal life in the UK, candidly discussing the tragic loss of his young son (Jamie) and the breakdown of several long-term relationships. Although Dave Morton initially seemed a slightly unlikely candidate for the autobiography treatment, he's got an interesting story to tell. He certainly lifts the lid on some speedway happenings that haven't become public previously. A very enjoyable and insightful read."
From Facebook . . .
Harry Harrison: "Much better read than the majority of autobiographies around by sports 'personalities'. Dave really did everything his way, and when it really was tough.
"They say never meet your heroes. Well, I was fortunate to meet Dave, a sharp to fantastic guy. Incredibly humble and genuinely pleased to meet and greet his fans. Dave Morton, you really are a legend."
Lee Kilby: "Absolutely terrific read. Highs and lows a plenty. Such a shame Dave picked up so many injuries, who knows what he could have achieved. Thanks, Dave, for telling your story and Tony Mac for getting it out to us."
Doug Nicolson: "Really enjoyed the book, a good read. Enjoyed his take on the goings-on the night Ellesmere Port came to Blantyre 2, when track staff - rather than the referee - stopped a race! Great moments in sport."
Paul Clements:  "I read the book, enjoyed it, couldn't put it down."
Phil Collins: "Hey Mort, after four sittings I read it from cover to cover. I just felt compelled to send you a note and let you know how much I enjoyed it. Well done, 'Big Mort'."
Glen Belcher: "Dave Morton's book was a great read from start to finish. I had seen Mort ride a couple of times and remember well the 'events' of the night of April 6, 1976 at Blackbird Road. I remember it, because you rode wearing my favourite number 6. I remember your 'off'.  I remember Ray Wilson being carted off and I remember having a good old night of it with mates, because the 6th of April is my birthday and I was 22 that night. The early days described riding home-made bikes on fields were just like re-living my own young life.
"Brilliant book, full of speedway anecdotes (obviously), but also the human and ordinary side of the sport with friends and family involved. I found myself saying things like, 'Ah, we did that once' and, 'Yeah, we drove one of those'.
"And, of course, the heartache noted in the title with relationship problems and decisions over clubs and money matters, etc, all eclipsed by a real tragedy - again, written with real feeling - that makes Chapter 14 impossible to read with dry eyes. I can recommend it."
Geoffrey Tomlinson: "It's a great book, Glen, and Dave is a top man. I was at Foxhall when he had a nasty crash. Everybody was worried for him, but he came through and continued racing for a few years after that. A mark of the man.
"It's the type of book you read through, then continue to read again and again, there is so much in it. I suggest you buy it for £16 - a bargain."
Brian Ford: "Found it a great read, an insight into your career, life and you as a person. Meeting you today was a pleasure."
Mike Cowley: "If you haven't bought Dave's book, it's probably the best £16 you will spend. A fine read, thoughtful and well written, and a great insight."

KELLY MORAN RACING
Speedway Plus: "Kelly died in 2010 after suffering from emphysema, tragically he was still some months short of his 50th birthday. A sad end for a man who brought so much pleasure to thousands around the world.
"As with their previous productions, the Retro Speedway team have combed the archives to find the very best footage available of their subject and pulled together an entertaining documentary. The rather fragmented nature of Kelly's career in Europe is mirrored in this production. Like us, you may have to rewind to check that you haven't inadvertently skipped past 1985 and 1986!
"He was an interesting character and a great racer and these DVDs do him justice."

JOHN LOUIS: A LIFETIME IN SPEEDWAY BOOK
Speedway Plus: "The book certainly seems to have been painstakingly researched, with good use made of facts and figures to add meat to the bones of the story. There are also hundreds of pictures included, a mix of action shots, promotional pictures, team line-ups and personal snaps. There's also a special section of colour photographs, including recent pictures of John back in his old 'Tiger' leathers and cutting a rug on the dance floor.
"Recent converts to the sport may only know John as the Ipswich promoter or as 'Chris' Dad', so this book is a timely reminder of what an incredible life he has had. Despite being a late starter, he is one of Britain's best ever riders and one of the longest serving promoters in history.
"This autobiography is long overdue, fully justified and extremely well executed. This is poles apart from the cash-in autobiographies that celebrities rush out at this time of year, it's evident just how much work has gone into this book and this a story that is well worth telling.
"An essential purchase for everyone in the Ipswich area and a highly-recommended one for everywhere else in the speedway world."
Read the full review at http://www.speedwayplus.co.uk/

Dick Partridge: "Read the John Louis book already, couldn't put it down! A great gift for any speedway follower."
Paul Woolnough: "I've just sat and read it in one go - three hours!"
Carl Squirrell: "Interesting reading JL's thoughts about John Berry. I thought I was the only one that didn't see eye to eye with him!"

Ipswich Town FC (programme): "Along with Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson, John's exploits helped put Ipswich on the map and at the same time provided endless hours of entertainment at Foxhall Stadium."

OLE OLSEN RACING DVD
Speedway Plus: "Ole threatening to pull out of the Spring Classic at Wimbledon as the other riders object to his interpretation of the tyre rules.
"Footage of Ole leading his beloved Coventry Bees in action at the likes of Birmingham, Leicester and Reading.
"Ole admitting he was retiring because he'd lost the desperate 'will to win' that had driven him earlier in his career.
"Film from his farewell meeting at Brandon, including stepping to the top of the rostrum for one last time (despite not actually winning the meeting).
"Ole cutting a dash on the Danish version of Strictly Come Dancing, a sign of how strong a legacy he left in his homeland."

MICHAEL LEE RACING DVD
Speedway Plus: "Some terrific clashes with Kenny Carter for the Golden Helmet at The Shay. Sadly, the DVD also has to reflect the sudden and dramatic fall from grace in the years following his World Final win. The film from the infamous England v USA Test match, one of the first to enforce the new tape-touching regulation, is extraordinary to watch. It's entirely obvious that Michael's head was "not in the game" at all."

TRAGEDY: KENNY CARTER eBOOK
Graham Brodie: I first read this book eight years ago when it was first published and when author Tony McDonald told me that it had been revised, updated and issued as an e-book, I thought that it would be a good move to read the story again.

I never knew Kenny well; as a referee you have limited opportunities to socialise away from the track, but I had been present at many of the occasions referred to in the book. The cancelled Internationale, Wembley 1981, Los Angeles 1982, the broken leg in Vetlanda and the 1986 World Pairs meeting in Lonigo all feature in my own memories of the man.

He was brash, outspoken and proud of his Yorkshire and British heritage but until I read his story I had no idea of the extent of his personal troubles which ultimately led to his tragic end.

Tony took upon himself a very difficult task but has skilfully managed to put together a very readable account of Kenny's life on and off the track. It is a harrowing story, particularly when its horrific climax has already been chronicled elsewhere, but despite its second reading I still found it hard to put down (or switch off in this case) and it has prompted me to dig out brother Alan Carter's later book from my bookshelf to read again.

Frankly, at £4.99 this e-book is a bargain download from Amazon to read on your iPad or Kindle. I thoroughly recommend it.

TRAGEDY: KENNY CARTER eBOOK (reviews posted on
Amazon Customer: I am a prolific reader. A bookworm. Since late teens through to present day my preferred genre has always been thrillers and murder mystery with a bit of true crime thrown in for good measure. I have recently discovered goodreads and as a consequence have widened my choices of genre quite considerably. I also happen to be an enormous fan of speedway and when I came across this book on a Facebook group I decided to read it. It is the first sports related book I have ever read and so despite my interest in speedway I was a little apprehensive about starting it. I am immensely chuffed to say that I am so glad I started it.

I could not put it down. Despite the horrendously tragic subject matter I enjoyed it thoroughly. A desperately sad story which draws sympathy for a man who is ultimately a murderer.

The story is told chronologically starting when Kenny was just a young boy and it helps to build a picture of his life and to possibly guide the reader to understand what led him to commit the ultimate crime.

For any speedway fan this book goes behind the scenes with some of history's most celebrated riders at some of the biggest events of world speedway and it is a fascinating insight into the life of a rider, one which I am sure after reading it has many similarities with some of the riders of today. Reading it led me to research the 'golden days' of the 70s and 80s and watch various clips on YouTube of World Finals and sold out Wembley arenas and it has certainly given me a deeper appreciation of the sport and how far we have come today.

As for the book itself, I am not an easy reader to please but this one ticked all the boxes. It is well written, has a great structure and pace and was very enjoyable to read. I highly recommend it to anyone; speedway fan or not, and guarantee you will find it an enjoyable read. Tragic, moving, exciting and sometimes hilarious it is one not to miss.

Barry P: I bought the Kindle edition at the weekend and have already read the book from cover to cover.

It really brings back a sense of the sport and the characters within the sport some 30 years ago. Reading about the personal challenges Carter faced from such an early age provides more understanding of his driven, somewhat selfish, character.

The nature of his rags-to-riches rise up the speedway ladder is well written, along with the rivalry with the likes of Penhall and virtually everyone else.

People talk of his unfulfilled talent, but this excellent book reaffirms just what an exceptional talent he was on a speedway bike and with more than a little luck he could have become World Champion.

The last few chapters are a tough read and my heart goes out to the Carter and Lund families for having to live with the fallout of what happened in May 1986. Immense credit too towards Alan Carter for his frankness and honest appraisal of what went on.

Andy Johnson: I've wanted to read this for some time after stumbling across some online reviews of it but, with no copies apparently available other than ridiculously priced 2nd hand ones on here, it was beginning to look unlikely I ever would until the Kindle version was thankfully released. After starting, I couldn't put it down and would heartily recommend it to any speedway fan. Hoping very much to see more of these books released on Kindle.

Rob Peasley: Although I'm old-fashioned and prefer books to e-books, I'd glad this is now available again, after the print version sold out, and recommend it to anyone who didn't get the hard copy. Tony Mac gets the tone perfect, without either sympathising or condemning Kenny Carter. It unfolds as a horror story, but it's a book that is impossible to put down once you've starting reading.

TRAGEDY: KENNY CARTER eBOOK (reviews via Twitter)
@stavrosslatley: "best £4.99 you'll spend .... Guaranteed."

@stavrosslatley: "couldn't put it down, read it in a day, goosebumps reading the last few pages, tragic story, brilliant read."

@deanobarker: "Going to order it now the man was a hero never got to meet him just heard the story's."

‏@TynieDevil: "not a fan of e-books but changed my opinion for this one. Looking forward to the whole book. Thx all involved."

‏@stavrosslatley: "its a must read for any speedway fan, most of us won't have known half the stuff in the book."

‏@JezLynch: "I might be biased as a Dukes fan but it's a great read."

@chrisbackhouse2: "great book and great rider. My hero when I was a young 'un."

‏@MrMikePearce: "Well worth a read."

‏@stavrosslatley:  "altho my era only met him once have to say unashamedly that my opinion of him has changed after reading the book, great job."

BILLY SANDERS RACING DVD
Speedway Plus: "The career of Billy Sanders is the subject of this new DVD from Retro Speedway. The Australian is inevitably remembered for the tragic way that his life ended, meaning that the joy he brought to thousands is often overlooked. Hopefully this new DVD, produced some 30 years since his death, can help to refresh a few memories. One of our concerns about the DVD was whether sufficient footage of Sanders would exist to justify the production. Clearly we'd underestimated both the resourcefulness of Tony McDonald at Retro Speedway and how successful Sanders actually was. His regular appearances in the very biggest meetings means there's plenty of film of him in top-level racing, added to which a good selection of film from Australian meetings has been found. Some of the Aussie film from the early years is a bit grainy, but definitely worthy of inclusion."
Read the full review at http://www.speedwayplus.co.uk/

BRUCE PENHALL RACING DVD
Speedway Plus: "It's unimaginable that any fan of Bruce or Cradley Heath wouldn't want this DVD. It's a time capsule of his career and is snappily edited to ensure it retains your attention throughout."
Read the full review at http://www.speedwayplus.co.uk/

Brian Burford for Speedway Star (June 6, 2015): Watching this two-disc DVD set of double World Champion Bruce Penhall leaves me in no doubt that not only was the American a superstar, he was the last superstar that we've had. It's amazing to think that Penhall's international career lasted no more than five seasons and yet the mark that he left on speedway has been indelible.
It has always been my opinion that his retirement was a blow from which the sport in the UK, and the USA, has never recovered. With his glamorous looks, glitzy race suits - today's kevlars are dull in comparison - showmanship and charisma, Bruce took the sport into parts of the mainstream where it has yet to venture since.
Bruce Penhall Racing is the latest edition to Retro Speedway's 'Racing' DVD stable that has so far included Penhall's great rival, Kenny Carter, Michael Lee and Kelly Moran. Like the rest in the series, this is a lengthy collection of the American's most memorable races totalling over 100 four-lap extravaganzas. It covers his career from his early days in California to the world titles, via Test matches, controversies and some contemporary interviews.
Anyone who hasn't seen the footage from the On Any Sunday II movie will not have to purchase that DVD, because Penhall's appearance is included in this set featuring some rare material from the 1979 Master of Speedway competition from Vojens - although the 'Sunday' film-makers certainly took some Hollywood-style artistic licence with the racing scenes.
Having viewed this not long after the Kelly Moran DVD, I was struck by the fact that on the Moran film you can see the crowds are dropping off as the years tick by, but not so on this Penhall anthology. Was this because the sport was still healthy, or the Penhall phenomenon was such that it helped maintain the sport's position in the public psyche alongside cricket, football and F1, etc? Clearly their machines were more of a handful than some would have us believe and, despite the fact that these meetings took place over 30 years ago, the sport looks just as professional, if not more so, than it does today.
It's pleasing to see that my memory of Penhall's on-track prowess is largely intact, because the American didn't rely on his starting. As this set confirms, he rarely settled for second and he'd regularly scrape the fence in order to get ahead of his rivals.
For those of us who were there, the 1981 World Final - scene of his first world title triumph - will always be found among the top-three best meetings of all-time. If you know someone who doesn't have a lot of time for the shale game, show him or her Bruce's two brilliant races against Danish stars Ole Olsen and Tommy Knudsen and they're sure to go away with a greater appreciation of our sport. They're just as exciting now as they were all those years ago and certainly as good as the best that the Grands Prix has served up.
And, of course, this compilation features the now infamous Heat 14 clash between Penhall and Britain's Kenny Carter in Los Angeles in 1982 - this must surely be the most watched speedway race of all time? The 'did he fall or was he pushed?' debate has been going on ever since.
However, Retro has pulled off a bit of a coup. Like many other tapes, DVDs and other forms of media that show this race, you'll get to view all the angles that were available at the time and have been on-hand ever since. Retro, though, has managed to obtain rare film from a different angle that was made available shortly after that World Final because the Penhall camp was tired of the continued criticism.
The television series, CHiPs - which Penhall joined after he retired - was filming the action for inclusion in their own show and, subsequently, their cameras shot the clash from a different angle and it's this material that's included. Is it conclusive one way or the other? I'll leave you to decide that. What I will say is that I can guarantee that you'll still be talking about it long after you've ejected the disc.

Mike Donaldson: It's very well put together by year, by event - from his career at Cradley Heath, to WTC matches and World Championship qualifiers, on to the World Finals. As I watched, I noticed my body tense up as if I were there in person watching it, especially with some of the last lap finishes. As I viewed each race, I wished that each member of the current American SWC team could watch it before they go to battle overseas. This is a just-see for any American speedway fan.

KELLY MORAN RACING DVD
Shawn Moran: "That is way bitchin, gave me a very cool feeling watchin Kel, I thank you for that. It's a diouble thumbs up, plus a few fingers!

Mike Donaldson (USA): Just finished watching Kelly Moran Racing from Retro Speedway. Simply brilliant. Review of his career by year, match and heat race with plenty of interviews with one of the most loved speedway riders of all time. The entire time that I've managed Kelly's Facebook group, I've yet to come across a 'hater', which is very rare in the history of racing. If this video shows anything, it's his courage and commitment towards racing. You see many times when he's out-gated, but doesn't let up in the first turn and ends up ahead. The other reason I love this DVD is it shows Kelly with 'Shooey', teaming up to take many 5-1s against the competition. This is a must-see, especially for his family, his many fans at Sheffield and Belle Vue and us Americans who can now see what he was doing when he left the States. The list of people that are on it is endless. Towards the end it really grabs your heart when he pairs up with Greg Hancock in some WTC races. This shows ya how good he really was.

Brian Burford for Speedway Star (May 30, 2015): Kelly Moran Racing DVD is the latest edition to the 'racing' series from Retro Speedway and it contains 108 classics from The Wizard of Balance spread over two discs. And what you get is pretty much what is says on the sleeve, racing.
Moran shot to stardom as an 18-year-old when he finished fourth in the 1979 World Final at Katowice - he was, in fact, in a four-man run-off for third. All of his races from that meeting, including the heroic clash with Zenon Plech, are featured on this DVD and you can see why his exciting performance propelled him into the spotlight across the speedway globe.
Some might be wondering why the inclusion of this footage is such a big deal, I mean it's a given right? Well, actually no, because ITV's then World of Sport programme didn't broadcast it when they should have because of a strike, which means finding such material is notoriously difficult. In fact, the quality is the best I have seen from this event.
Gathering this footage isn't as easy as you'd think and Retro should be applauded for finding action from the Czech Golden Helmet, a rare Denmark v USA Test match and action from California, plus many more besides.
Disc one begins with the UK Qualifying Round of the 1979 World Team Cup from Reading in conditions that were better suited for boats than bikes. Without question such an event wouldn't have gone ahead in this day and age; and yet the riders didn't just potter around the puddles because, with national pride at stake, the inclement weather wasn't allowed to hinder the business of racing.
You get all three of his World Final appearances (1979, '82 and '84) and it's during the Los Angeles final when you get to hear commentator Barry Briggs describe Moran's pass of Hans Nielsen as a 'masterful piece of overtaking,' which illustrates just how highly people like Briggo and Ivan Mauger regarded the little American's skills - he made it look so easy.
However, this is not a critical analysis of the man, but more of a celebration of his talent, popularity and personality. Talent? That's in abundance, in particular some wonderful action from Sheffield v Coventry in 1988 when he takes care of a tenacious Tommy Knudsen, and a true classic from King's Lynn in '82 with his magnificent race against Dave Jessup. Popularity? He was adored during his two spectacular years at Eastbourne which can clearly be seen when a fan reaches over and slaps a hand of 'good luck' on his arm as he makes his way to the start-line. Personality? His charm and sometimes direct responses when being interviewed illustrate a sense of fun as well as an honesty that would sometimes cut his critics to the bone.
The races come thick and fast from around the world, where he was more than a match for the big names of the period like Collins, Ermolenko, Gundersen, Lee, Olsen, Penhall, etc, and in most cases these encounters speak for themselves.
While covering the years from 1979 and 1992, the viewer is able to track not only Kelly's progress, but also the decline of the sport itself. During the early 80s even the league matches look well-attended but by the time you get to 1987, big gaps appear on the terraces. Moran's own style, exciting, determined and sometimes unpredictable during the first half, becomes assured, smoother and more calculated by disc two.
When watching the action from the Yorkshire TV Trophy from Hull, you receive a glimpse of a supporter strolling around The Boulevard wearing a Viking helmet complete with horns. The sight of this man transported me back to 1979 at the Abbey Stadium, when I was presented with a peculiar scene as my friend argued with this distinctively-dressed individual through the fence that divided the cheap and dear sides. Therefore, as the premise of this collection is to bring back fond memories of Moran and the sport at that time, there is little doubt that it does just that, and is also a permanent record of why Kelly Moran is still regarded as one of speedway's most gifted ever racers.

MEMORIES OF HALIFAX SPEEDWAY DVD
Mike Turner: "Good work on the Memories of Halifax DVD. Enjoyed the interviews with Boocock, Eric and Bonnie Boothroyd and the Lohmanns. Great memories recalled by my wife and I when we dashed home from The Shay, kids left with grandma and then elbowing our way through the throng at the Prospect Inn. Really wonderful days. The DVD brought home to us just how many meetings we went to which were packed with talent. Eric Boocock made us smile with his Yorkshire humour - he always called a spade a spade. Nice stories about his encounters with KC."

Mick Cockcroft: "Well, just sat for four hours and watched the Halifax Speedway DVD that I got from Santa, and I have to say you can't beat a bit of nostalgia and reminiscing. I know it's over 30 years ago since The Shay on a Saturday night, but it honestly felt like yesterday listening to fantastic interviews from Messiahs Boothroyd and Boocock, Mikael Lohmann-Jørgensen and Klaus Lohmann and watching footage of racing from The Shay. Absolutely brilliant, I would well recommend to all Halifax Dukes supporters who remember the 70s and 80,s to go ahead and buy this DVD of pure Dukes nostalgia. A special thanks to Mike and Klaus for their great memories and kind words of appreciation to Dukes supporters.
Probably our last chance to keep a little bit of Halifax Speedway to ourselves, as we remember it."

NATIONAL LEAGUE HEROES DVD
Speedway Star (Dec 20, 2014): "It's another fine collection of historic footage which is ensured to have the viewer reminiscing and wallowing in nostalgia about, in some cases, forgotten names of riders racing at some sadly gone forever tracks."

MEMORIES OF IPSWICH SPEEDWAY: THE JOHN BERRY YEARS DVD
Speedway Star (Nov 22, 2014): "Wallow in the two-disc set, coloured, as ever, with plenty of appropriate racing clips. And marvel at how it also seems like a peek into a bygone era, when two grammar school lads could take on the speedway establishment . . . and win. Fascinating."

KENNY CARTER RACING DVD
Philip Kirk: "A tremendous watch."

Sidney (posted on the British Speedway Forum at "I have just finished watching the Kenny Carter Racing DVD, a must for any speedway fan. Superb comes to mind. I really enjoyed watching it and it brought back some great memories. Say what you want, the bloke was some rider. But it was worth £16 alone just to see the two Golden Helmet match-races at Halifax between Carter and Lee. Lee on that day was unbelievable - he made Carter look like a novice. A great watch, all fans should get this."

ProperSport (posted on the British Speedway Forum at "A superb DVD, as indeed is Defunct British Speedway Tracks IMO. Some grainy footage and quite a bit of The Zoo at Hyde Rd, but some really great stuff - Rochdale looked cold watching it on telly!"

Mike Turner: "The Kenny Carter DVD is an absolute cracker! Lots of stuff I had never seen, evokes lots of positive memories. Well done."

MEMORIES OF SWINDON SPEEDWAY DVD
Anton Hammer: "What wonderful memories of a golden era. I first went to Swindon in the mid-50s, my father having been to the first meeting there in 1949. Wonderful to see Broady, Briggo, Martin (Ashby) and Dukey (Barry Duke) talking about their riding time with the Robins. You do a wonderful job keeping us older supporters happy."

Lee Kilby: "What a terrific watch! After watching this DVD you feel very honoured to have spent the last few hours listening to some amazing Robins legends recalling their racing days. The old photographs and cine footage are just amazing. I was only four-years-old when my dad Bob Kilby retired (I have some memories of 1983 & 1988), so, sadly, I have no memory of him racing in his prime. To see some footage of him racing and just being himself in leathers was very special. Glynn Shailes' memory is something very special. If he doesn't know it about Swindon speedway, frankly, it never happened! Some great stories and wonderful memories from some of the Robins' best ever riders. This is a must for any Robins fan whether young or old. Either remember the 'good old days' fondly or look back to a time when the sport was very, very special, with some truly brilliant characters involved."

KING'S LYNN SUPER STARS (1965-90) DVD
Keith Keeble: "Fascinating to watch, well recommended."

BACKTRACK ISSUE 65
Adrian Stockwell: "As always, Backtrack brings back some wonderful memories from my time as a Wimbledon fan from 1972-1980. This is a magazine that certainly re-boots my youth! I must say I loved the '50 Memorable Moments of Wimbledon'. Ronnie Moore and Tommy Jansson are/were huge heroes of mine; the recent articles on the life and times of Dave Lanning were terrific; the Page 3 photo of 'Shrimp' Davey was superb and the back page shot of Simon Wigg and Ronnie Correy was simply outstanding."

KING'S LYNN SUPER STARS (1965-90) DVD
Speedway Star: "The package serves as a direct follow up to Retro Speedway's hugely nostalgic 'Memories of Norwich Speedway', only this time they are obviously blessed with more modern and therefore better quality footage plus much fresher memories from the extensive list of people interviewed."

DEFUNCT BRITISH SPEEDWAY TRACKS DVD
Speedway Star (Oct 2014): "If you once frequented one or more of these defunct venues, you are almost guaranteed to wallow in unbridled nostalgia while fighting back the tears of lost days gone by. This is definitely no 'feel-good' film for Christmas but would make a wonderful gift of permanent recollections at the forthcoming festive season."

MEMORIES OF IPSWICH SPEEDWAY THE JOHN BERRY YEARS DVD
Barry Scowen: "Absolutely first class, great production - I emailed James Easter about his part in it. Sitting here at 68, I thought I was 30 again. Lots of smiles (and a few tears). Will be watched many, many times."

BRITISH SPEEDWAY MEMORIES BOOK
Ken Wrench: "Just a quick note to congratulate you on doing such an excellent job with British Speedway Memories. I hate to think how much time, effort and soul-searching went into selecting and collating such a compilation. Obviously, doubtless like everyone else, I am flattered that I am part of it, all the more so when I look at the variety of contributors that you have assembled. After browsing around it a good deal, I am now reading through and find the content fascinating."

NATIONAL LEAGUE HEROES DVD
Vicky Saxecoburg: "Brilliant DVD, well worth every penny."

KING'S LYNN SUPER STARS (1965-90) DVD
Martin Rogers: "Retro Speedway publisher and editor Tony McDonald 'gets' what it is all about, which is why his acclaimed club histories and other publications so successfully resonate with the fans. His talent is to gently coax people to talk freely about what it all meant to them, the wins, the losses, supporters, promoters, the distillation of the best years of their lives as contributors to the King's Lynn history. It's heart on the sleeve stuff."

Marion Palmer: "I would just like to say how much I enjoyed them. I laughed, cried and swooned, especially at Terry Betts. The effort and time that went into them you should be congratulated on turning out such entertainment. Many thanks, look forward to the next ones."

Kevin Turner: "Thanks Retro Speedway for interviewing my bro, Ian Turner. Watching the footage is quite an emotional trip. Memories I will never forget. The footage I have watched on the KL Stars DVD was fantastic and without doubt takes me back around 40 years ago. Keep up the good work."

MEMORIES OF IPSWICH SPEEDWAY: THE JOHN BERRY YEARS
Geoffrey Tomlinson: "Excellent watch, will be adding more of your DVDs to my collection soon."

DEFUNCT BRITISH SPEEDWAY TRACKS DVD
Duncan Pemberton @duncanpemberton  •  Oct 14
@retrospeedway just watched Defunct Tracks DVD. Excellent stuff to see places I've been or riders and tracks I didn't see in flesh #mustsee

Vicky Saxecoburg: "Always great getting DVDs from Retro Speedway. Always well put together and informative. This latest one does not disappoint, well worth the money."

BRITISH SPEEDWAY MEMORIES BOOK
Howard Murphy: "Just to let you know I've read the British Speedway Memories book while on a week's break. Brilliant read, loved every minute of it. A lot of today's promoters could do with reading it and taking a lot of the points raised on board."

Mike Turner: "Congratulations on your latest book. I must say it invokes plenty of memories. I liked the mix of comments from fans, riders and others, it truly reflects what we all see as the USP of speedway. A must for everybody who has ever been to a speedway meeting. Well done - my 'Book of the Year'.

MEMORIES OF HACKNEY SPEEDWAY DVD
Barry Thomas: "Many thanks for DVDs and Backtracks. I thought you did a brilliant job on both and will have to order a bigger helmet now! All the best and wish you good luck for the future - Thommo."

MEMORIES OF WEST HAM SPEEDWAY
Barry Colbert: "Many, many congratulations on the fantastic job you have done in putting this work together. I can now understand why we had to wait just that little bit longer before we got our hands on it - it was well worth the wait. It was wonderful to watch and listen to those amazing stories from the past from all those people that you were able to interview or to obtain from old interviews. The archive footage and photo stills are just priceless. Anybody watching this can tell that this project was lovingly put together with such care and attention to details. Not only that, the reverse of the case says that you get approx 180 mins. Well, I timed it at over four hours in total, so what excellent value for money."

MEMORIES OF WIMBLEDON SPEEDWAY DVD
John Burgin: "Just wanted to congratulate you on the Wimbledon DVD. I have just finished watching my copy and it certainly brought back a lot of happy memories. Keep up the good work."

SHOOEY: LIFE AND TIMES OF SHAWN MORAN
Clive Read: "What a great testament this DVD is to Shooey as a man, someone who reached great heights but for whom racing and entertaining were the thing.  His sense of balance and brilliance and never say die attitude wowed the crowds and the DVD captures some of his best moments on a bike. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves speedway."

GENERAL
Simon Ruthven: "I must say how much I have enjoyed all the DVDs I have purchased from you, including speedway in the 70s & 80s, World Finals of the 70s & 80s. plus the great DVDs on Mark Loram and Mike Lee. I have also renewed my subscription to Backtrack, as it is always a great read. My dad enjoys your Classic speedway publication too!"