TonyMac

It's good to see that Backtrack has helped to rebuild bridges between John Louis and John Berry. It's not as if they've not been on speaking terms anyway, because the hatchet was buried long ago. But... ...At the same time as issue 7 came out, in which Tiger John expressed his honest dismay at the way he was 'dropped' by the Ipswich management in 1981, Berry reacted to those comments by immediately going on record in the local paper as saying that letting Louis go to Halifax was his biggest regret as a promoter. The look on Tiger's face, as he took possession of a copy of the Evening Star's back page just before the home meeting on Good Friday, was a picture! He clearly took a lot of satisfaction in seeing his former boss make such an honest admission, albeit 24 years on! In fairness to JB, his new signings, Sigalos and Cook, proved successful replacements for Louis and Billy Sanders, and the club went on to win more honours in the next few years. And, at the end of the day, the moves worked out well for all concerned, because Louis had two very good seasons with the Dukes, before doing even better for King's Lynn.

Thanks Bryn and all... I've just got my breath back from blowing out the candles. Still, I only feel 44! Joanne. Me, a former rider? I did once ride pillion on Barry Thomas' bike at Iwade circa 1973!

Just had to apologise for the 'deliberate mistake' in our latest issue, in the small piece about the reunion. The date should, of course, read JULY 22, NOT June (must have had brain meltdown at that point!) Se you all then...on JULY 22. That's JULY, OK?

We will be putting our weight behind the campaign to raise funds for the building of the museum, with blanket coverage in the next issues of both Backtrack and Vintage Speedway Magazine. Part of this will be an interview with George Barclay, but we also already have an interview with the great Ivan Mauger, who is all in favour of the museum. It is an absolute must that speedway has its own 'home' to preserve its rich history now and for many years to come...

Yes, the new issue 7, including our interview witb Rick, is on sale at Brandon...

Thanks to the promptings of some of the folk on here, a full four-page exclusive interview with Rick appears in the new issue 7 of Backtrack Magazine. Apart from recalling his days with the Bees and memories of his British League days, Rick has also emailed us recent pics of himself working as a stuntman and one of him at home with his wife and two children.

In the next issue (7) of Backtrack, we will be running a feature looking back at the brilliant 1976 World Final and Peter Collins' great victory in Poland. I wondered how many of you travelled to that meeting and, in particular, aboard the special Warnerspprts train all the way to Katowice? I did, but my memory of the trip is very hazy (might have something to do with beer in West Berlin at our stopover!). What an experience - Communism, 'Check Point Charlie' and all that... It would be great to include some interesting, entertaining memories from English supporters who recall that momentous day in speedway history, when the fans turned out in force to support PC, Simmo, 'Tiger' John, Mort and 'Flyer' Wyer. Didn't it rain before the start? I'd be very grateful for any good memories from fellow fans on that trip... Cheers, Tony Mac

Grachan - very interesting, and many thanks for your pics. From what you write, I'm glad I took the train! I recall Muller lifting widly coming out of the second bend and all the Poles jeering every announcement of his name - he did get a very hostile reception that day. Wasn't the English support fantastic and, typical of the time, you brought a banner supporting all the contenders. A lot of the Enbglish fans took that view - PC was the draling of the crowd, but everyone respected the efforts of Simmo, Tiger John, Mort and Dougie Wyer and we wanted them all to do well. Naturally, if an Englishman couldn't win, I wanted Zenon Plech to be top man. PC was unstoppable on his Wessie but because the crowd was so far from the track, it wasn't possible to fully appreciate just how fast he was flying that memorable day. The riders seemed small from such a distance, or was that just my Mr McGoo eyesight? Funny thing is, I was 16 and had just left school that summer, before taking up my first job as a clerk in the Ministry of Defence (yawn). Remember, Poland was still under communist rule then and I can tell you, at my interview, my new employers took a lot of convincing when they checked my passport and saw that I'd just been to Poland before joining the Army Air department. I think they thought I might be a Soviet spy! They were lookinbg at me and saying; 'Who goes to spoeedway?...and who goes to Poland to see speedway?....On their own?...aged 16?" The third degree wasn't in it. If anybody else has any pics taken from Katowice '76 that we could use in Backtrack, please get in touch...

With the season fast drawing to a close at many UK tracks, readers who usually buy their copy of Backtrack Magazine at their local track will need to think about taking out a subscription to ensure they don't miss any of the next few issues. After issue 4 later this month, issue 5 will appear in November and issue 6 will follow early in the New Year. It costs UK-based readers £16 to subscribe for six issues a year, which represents a £2 saving on the usual £3 cover price, too. We'll mail every copy direct to your door to ensure you don't miss a copy because of a rained-off meeting or if your local track has closed for the winter. It's easy to subscribe. You can either order online at our website - http://www.retro-speedway.com (or click on the banner header at the top of this site to take you there), or phone us on 01708 379 079 to pay using your credit card - VISA, Mastercard or Switch will be fine. If you phone outside normal office hours, don't worry...just clearly leave your name and phone number on our 24 hour answerphone and we'll call you back to take your details as soon as possible. Alternatively, you could post us a cheque/postal order for £16 (payable to Backtrack) to: Backtrack (Subs), Unit 4, Ashton Gate, Ashton Road, Harold Hill, Romford, Essex, RM3 8UF, England. We are also happy to send overseas by airmail, and the rates are: Europe = £22.00 Rest of the World = £30.00 Many thanks. Tony Mac

King's Lynn legends Terry Betts, Mike Lee and Malcolm Simmons were reunited last night, when the town hall hosted a special 40th anniversary civic reception. Other former 'Stars' riders who joined current promoters Buster and Jonathan Chapman and the Mayor of King's Lynn were: Ian Turner, Richard Knight, Trevor Hedge, Mel Taylor, Ray Bales, David Gagen, Barry Crowson, Troy Pratt and Graham Edmunds. Troy Batchelor, Adam Allott and James Brundle kept the flag flying for the modern-day 'Knights' - sorry, but I just can't get used to them being nicknamed anything but Stars with the gold & green racejacket and five stars emblem! Bettsy was on great form, recounting tales of winning the first-ever meeting at Saddlebow Road (nah, can't have the Norfolk Arena either!), while gracious Simmo paid tribute to his former team-mate by referring to him as 'Mister King's Lynn'. Mike Lee also looked in very good nick and is busy preparing engines for eight young English riders this season, including Lynn's Brundle. Exclusive full report and pictures from this nostalgic occasion will appear in the next issue of Backtrack...

Good shout, spin king! Although the line-up of VIP guests on the night is looking very strong, JB and ourselves would appreciate any help in contacting the following: Brian Messenger John Cook Kai Niemi Stan Pepper Ted Spittles Please email any possible contact details to me at: editorial@retro-speedway.com Cheers, Tony Mac

Ipswich Witches fans will be interested to know that John Berry, in association with Backtrack, is to hold a reunion of former Foxhall favourites on Good Friday, March 25. After Witches' home match against Arena Essex in the afternoon, JB and his old friends and colleagues are gathering at the nearby Kesgrave Community Centre for an evening of fun and pure nostalgia, including a fans' forum where you can fire questions at Berry and co. Among the VIP guests who have already confirmed their attendance are: Dave Gooderham Jeremy Doncaster John Louis Kevin Jolly Mike Lanham Preben Eriksen Ron Bagley Ted Howgego Tim Hunt Tony Davey Trevor Jones Mick Hines Andy Hines Richard Knight Others are expected to be there, including Michael Lee - yes, after all these years, JB has finally relented and called on a 'guest' . . . and from Witches' arch East Anglian rivals, too! Tickets are priced just £10, which includes complimentary 32-page souvenir programme and light refreshments. Doors open from 6pm but the main part of the evening commences at 7.30pm, and ends at 11pm. Tickets are very limited, and are only available in advance of the event, so we urge you to book early to avoid disappointment. You can order tickets (£10 per person) via the Backtrack office credit card hotline on: 01708 379 079. If you call outside normal office hours, just leave your name and number and we'll call you back as soon as possible. Or send a cheque/postal order (payable to Backtrack) to: Backtrack (Ipswich Reunion), Unit 4, Ashton Gate, Ashton Road, Harold Hill, Romford, Essex, RM3 8UF. For those who live in or near Ipswich and would prefer to collect your tickets in person, they can also be bought in the town centre from: Ipswich Tourist Centre, St Stephen's Church, St. Stephen's Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DP. If you enjoyed your speedway at Foxhall Heath during John Berry's 15 years there, between 1969 and 1985, then you won't want to miss this!

Pleased to confirm that Rick has answered our call and already been in touch with the Backtrack office. We're going to hook up soon for a phone interview (Backtrack expenses won't cover the return air fare to California, more's the pity!). Hopefully the interview will go in the next issue...

Hello Rick! Good to hear you're doing well for yourself. Like so many others, I found your comments on here very interesting and, given the limitations of the messageboard (and the strain on your typing fingers!), I wondered if you would like to be interviewed by Backtrack Magazine (you might remember me from my days at Speedway Mail in the 80s?). If so, please email me at editorial@retro-speedway.com with your phone number, and hopefully we can arrange to hook up soon. I'd like to call you to chat about the glory days at Brandon and your time in the USA Test team, etc, etc. I'm sure our readers would enjoy an in-depth interview with you in our next issue... Look forward to hearing from you soon... Cheers, Tony Mac Backtrack Magazine

As usual, we have another batch of exclusive interviews and features for your delight! Highlights include: BOBBY SCHWARTZ – our BIG, 6-pager with the former USA captain, who gives his frankest interview to date. 'Boogaloo' talks about his relationship with Bruce Penhall (inc the vow he made to beat Brucie) and his other World Pairs-winning partner, Dennis Sigalos. He explains the real story behind the infamous 'drugs bust' at Heathrow airport, when he and Kelly Moran were arrested and ended up facing a court fine. Also, Bobby opens his heart to recall the poignant death of his great friend and Reading team-mate, Denny Pyeatt, and why he walked out of a meeting at Hackney a year on from Denny's fatal accident at the same track. What he thinks of the fans who abused him . . . and he reveals the country that asked him and Siggy to 'throw' a race in the World Pairs final at Sydney in 1982. All this and much more from the colourful Californian... SIMON CROSS – Our second blockbuster . . . we talk to the former England star who reflects on the two big crashes of his turbulent career. First, the four-man pile up at Odsal that ended his Cradley Heath team-mate Erik Gundersen's career; and then the heavy fall in the World Pairs final at Landshut a year later that left 'Crossy' in a coma for five days and came close to leaving him paralysed. Simon also talks, from his new home in southern France, about his early National league days with Oxford and Weymouth, followed by the glory days at Dudley Wood, and what it was like to race in the same team as Erik, Jan O Pedersen, Lance King and the rest. He explains the frustrating end to his career at Coventry and read why he wished he'd quit racing sooner. TONY DAVEY - An Ipswich legend from the 70s and 80s, Backtrack columnist John Berry - Tony's former promoter at Foxhall - provides a brilliant, and at times sad, insight into the characteristics of the great, little racer we all knew as 'Shrimp', and his great courage in overcoming not just his own serious track injuries but also the personal loss of a loved one. MARTIN GOODWIN - The former Arena Essex and Rye House 'hard man' talks about his tough guy image and names the other riders he had run-ins with. The fiery Goodwin also looks back at some of his wildest moments, including the night his crash helmet smashed through the window of the referee's box and the food-throwing antics of his Hammers team-mates on a northern tour. Also, why the death of two fellow riders, and personal friends, affected the way he viewed his team-mates from then on. MICK HINES – Explaining his anger and frustration at becoming one of the last high profile victims of the old rider control system, which forced him to move from his home-town club, Ipswich, to Wimbledon in 1976. He took legal advice over it. Mick also recalls his NL days back in East Anglia with Mildenhall and Peterborough. ERIC BROADBELT – The much-travelled former England international tells how he he quit speedway to work on the markets of the north-west and now runs his own hardware shop. 'Broady' also looks back at a career spanning a host of clubs, including Belle Vue, Sheffield, Poole, Halifax, Edinburgh and Long Eaton. NEIL MIDDLEDITCH - Q&A with the Team GB Manager, who looks back at his earliest racing days as a young and hungry Eastbourne Eagle in the early 70s. Plus... John Berry presents the first of his three-part, in-depth analysis of the controversial Rider Control rule that cause such furore in the 60s and 70s. Bert Harkins revives memories of those great Scottish Cup battles between Edinburgh and Glasgow and looks at the roles the Templeton brothers played in those epic clashes. We've a tribute to the late Alan Cowland, and a profile of another Leicester 'old boy', Bruce Forrester, who is remembered as a legend on Teesside. Bob Spelta contacted us from Australia to talk about his eventful four seasons with Canterbury in the mid-70s. He reveals how he broke his back for the second time just two years ago. Hackney fans will doubtless enjoy our 'replay' of their classic 1977 victory over title-chasing Exeter and that momentous match-winning ride by Hawks hero Barry Thomas. There are more picture quizzes for you to answer, as well as a two-page photo review of that glorious Summer of '76... Ahh, those golden memories..... Don't miss 'em! Subscribe today for just £16 in the UK. It's easy...just go online at http://www.retro-speedway.com NOW! _________________________ NOTE: Issue 6 will be mailed out to all subscribers next Monday (Feb 7)...

In conjunction with the site administrators, we have agreed to nominate a HOT TOPIC at regular intervals, covering more general subjects and issues for fans from all over the country to debate. The difference, though, is that your views - or at least the best ones posted on here - will be reproduced in a future issue of Backtrack Magazine. It's a two-way thing - the forum site gets wider recognition through the pages of the magazine, hopefully creating awareness among those of our readers who are not yet visitors to this brilliant internet forum; while the mag will hopefully gain more subscribers/readers who want to see their names and views in print and then love Backtrack so much, they just have to buy every issue! Simple, eh? Right, enough of all that waffle... The first subject we want to hear from you about is the British League Riders' Championship (we'll cover the NLRC another day). Please share your great memories of this once annual classic meeting with us all - but not just the racing and any track incidents you particularly recall, but the occasion itself - the day out at Belle Vue; visit to the zoo; the cameraderie of the fans who filled Hyde Road, etc, etc. What was your favourite memory from past BLRC finals (and we're talking the 'Backtrack years' of 1965 to 1989 here, folks). Perhaps it was that epic duel between the veteran John Louis and Bruce Penhall in 1979? Or the night Kenny Carter threw it away when he stopped while leading after just three laps, thinking the race had ended? Maybe it was one of Briggo's six wins in a row in the 60s, or a glory night for Mauger, Olsen or PC? The great thing about printing your comments posted here in Backtrack, is that the feature on our pages will be enhanced by pictures from these great, old meetings. Sadly, we can't get the old Belle Vue back, or perhaps not even recapture the prestige of the BLRC for future stagings, but no-one can stop us wallowing in pure nostalgia and great times past... So c'mon....and thanks for your contributions.

Well, come on then...thanks to those who have taken the trouble, but there must be another million of you out there who are keeping those magic memories of past BLRC nights at Hyde Road locked away from us all! Share those memories with us...please!!!

John, Craig has been in touch and a copy of issue 6 has been sent to him - thanks for the thought. TMc

Just to confirm (for those who may be wondering) that the annual gathering, organised by Vintage Speedway Magazine, will be held at High Beech tomorrow (Sunday, Feb 6) from 11 am to 4pm. As usual, there will be a collectors' fayre and a display of vintage machines and memorabilia. A great pre-season meeting place for 'old-timers' to get together and get all nostalgic. Come and visit us at our table, where we'll be selling the brand new issue of Backtrack Magazine, John Berry's Confessions of a Speedway Promoter and the new issue of Vintage Speedway Magazine. See you there! Tony Mac

We had planned to hold an exclusive interview with Alan in a future issue of Backtrack Magazine. Our correspondent, Alan Jones, had sounded out Alan C at the Leicester reunion last November and he was due to conduct the interview on Alan's return to England early this year. Sadly, it hasn't been possible and now Alan Jones has written the tribute he never wanted to write in the new issue 6. RIP, Alan C. I never had the pleasure of meeting you but I know what a great character you were around the tracks. Tony Mac

Bobby Schwartz is our 'main man' in issue 6, to be published at the end of this month. One of the most successful and popular of the Americans who raced in Britain in the late 70s and through most of the 80s, 'Boogaloo' has given Brian Burford a great, new major interview exclusively for Backtrack. Bobby, now 48, talks candidly about: The memory of his dad and why he wore his name on his leathers. Early days at Cradley Heath and a dodgy B&B he shared with buddy, Bruce Penhall. His friendship and rivalry with double world champion Penhall and the vow 'Boog' made to him at Irwindale one night. His World Pairs successes with Penhall and Dennis Sigalos – the pits shenanigans among the Danes and Poles in Poland in '81, and then why the Americans had such a big advantrage over their rivals at Sydney in '82. The reason why he thinks Penhall really decided to quit England. His best-ever season at Reading when 'Racers' were champs in 1980. Why the fans and management turned against him and why he "couldn't care less’’ by the time he left the Smallmead club. Happy days at Eastbourne. Personal tragedy and the horror of seeing his mate, Denny Pyeatt, killed at Hackney. Bobby relives his shocking ordeal, including the note he found in Denny's trouser pocket... The truth about being arrested (with Kelly Moran) for possessing drugs at Heathrow in 1983. What Bobby really thinks of himself as a rider. What he's doing now...and more. Let us hear your memories of Bobby Schwartz via this messageboard... _________________ More news on what's in store in issue 6 to follow soon...

We at Backtrack and Retro Speedway are delighted to announce that John Berry's brilliant new book, CONFESSIONS OF A SPEEDWAY PROMOTER, can now be ordered direct from us! Order from us before November 1st (publication date) and you will receive your copy FIRST, POST-FREE, BEFORE it goes on sale in the shops. That's right, we'll deliver it direct to your door anywhere in the UK at the cover price of £14.99, with no extra P&P charges. Despite their premature advertising, Amazon has now confirmed by email to us that they will NOT be stocking this book and the title will be deleted from their catalogue in the next five days. Visit our website to order 'CONFESSIONS' by email, telephone or post. All details about the book and how to order can be found at our website: http://www.retro-speedway.com In our opinion, this is the BEST SPEEDWAY BOOK EVER WRITTEN. Backtrack readers, and fans of speedway in the 70s & 80s, will lap it up. Tony Mac

Brian, there's a good chance your 'Chalky' piece will be used in issue 6, though I have to guard against accusations of Hackney bias, when there are so many other ex-riders and tracks equally (well, almost!) deserving of attention...

Did anyone see that 'Confessions' got a good, positive mention in Saturday's issue of The Guardian newspaper - in the column reviewing best sports books of the year? When was the last time a speedway book got such credability? Have you ordered yet? It really is the best speedway book ever written - even The Guardian say so! - and the way sales are going a re-print may soon be on the cards...

Just to say 'thanks' to everyone who bought a signed copy from JB, either at Brighton yesterday or at one of the three signings at Ipswich on Saturday. It was great to meet so many Backtrack readers and forum members at Brighton. There is still time to order 'Confessions' in time for Xmas. We will guarantee delivery in time for Xmas on all orders received before this Thursday evening (Dec 16). Just give us a call on our credit card hotline - 01708 379 079. If you phone outside normal office hours, just leave your phone number and we'll get back to you asap. Many thanks. Tony Mac