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TonyMac

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Everything posted by TonyMac

  1. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Reporter Claire Hannah's piece with Peter Collins will be on ITV Granada Reports, in the north-west region, from 6:29pm tonight (Friday, Dec 30). An extended version of this interview will appear on Granada Report's website later. I'll post a link as soon as it's available. Signed copies of PC's book can still be obtained from us at www.retro-speedway.com
  2. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Maybe a bit disingenuous of you there, Gordon, although it's good that you have acknowledged George Carswell's role and the price he and his family ultimately paid for helping to prop up BV at various stages. When I wrote earlier in this thread that George was 'financial involved' in all regimes from Perrin onwards and therefore provided support and insights to PC's printed take on events, I didn't necessarily mean he had money invested as a listed co-promoter or director of BV. To put the record straight, some of the insights and factual recollections provided by George to Peter and I during the course of putting the book together include matters pertaining to the Tony Mole-Ian Thomas era, too. Ian contacted George asking if he would be prepared to sponsor any riders (essentially to facilitate the cost of including them in the team) and he did so in the case of Simon Stead. He'd also agreed to back Rory Schlein but Thomas U-turned and Aces signed Andy Smith instead. More importantly, as mentioned in PC's book, George also told Mole and Thomas that he would finance a deal to bring Tai Woffinden to Kirky Lane. George explained: "One other interesting situation arose during one of my visits to Belle Vue. Tai Woffinden was reportedly going to Wolverhampton for the reported sum of £10,000 plus extras. "As Tai had cut his teeth with the Colts I told Tony and Ian that I would match or beat the offer for him to become a Belle Vue asset. To my surprise, they said they weren’t interested." George's input was also sought by the BV promotion after Mole sold out to David Gordon and Chris Morton, presumably during some of the period of your involvement. GC writes: "As the (2007 takeover) deal had come so late into the off-season they had great difficulty in putting out a competitive team. Chris phoned me in Vancouver and asked whether I would still sponsor Simon Stead, which I agreed to do. Chris and I had known each other for a considerable amount of time - in fact for a short period I had worked with Chris and Steve Casey at Allied Dunbar. The team predictably finished bottom of the league in 2007. "Chris and I talked regularly by phone and discussed the potential of several up and coming riders. Prior to the start of 2011 Chris phoned asking if there was a possibility of getting Rory Schlein to rejoin the club. I contacted Rory and offered to sponsor him, to which he agreed and he was able to come to terms with Chris and David. Rory had a banner year and I felt things were on the rise." George has told us much more about what happened behind the scenes in the period leading up to the 2016 but it was not relevant to the book.
  3. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Aren't all autobiographies by definition a one-sided take. But, as I mentioned previously, much of what PC has written about respective BV managements is supported in print by George Carswell, who was financially involved under all regimes from John Perrin to David Gordon/Chris Morton. Believe me, PC didn't decide to write his story for money. If so, he would have done it many years ago, when speedway had a far bigger following and more fans from his peak racing era were still around. I accept your view that riders know the risks when they begin and that they go into it hoping to earn a living. And PC did very well out of speedway - no doubt - as did the sport out of him. But, come on, some goodwill from all tracks towards their past employees wouldn't go amiss - and wouldn't cost them a penny. To make ex-riders pay (or ask) to get in is, of course, not a crime and it's every promoter's right to dictate his own policy. But it's churlish, mean-spirited and short-sighted when tracks need all the good PR they can muster in these financially ominous times.
  4. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Again, your facts appear to be wrong. According to PC, Perrin didn't put in any money at the outset (it's all in the book, which you don't seem to have read). On the other hand, as front man, PC raised all the money needed to buy the riding assets and BL1 licence from Stuart Bamforth through sponsorship and donations. Norman Smith was repaid the tens of thousands he spent building the speedway track out of gate receipts, not Perrin's pocket.
  5. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    It's about context and respect. As keepturningleft pointed out: 'How many former Belle Vue riders can there be that live in or near Manchester? A tiny handful. It seems quite mean spirited of the BV management to stick with such rigid formality rather than show some heart, waive the entrance fee and instead wave these valued old timers in.' In fairness to the current BV regime, my understanding from speaking to several ex-Aces who have attended meetings this year, the club management's policy seems to be that all-ex BV riders ARE admitted free of charge . . . BUT they first have to contact Mark Lemon to get the OK from him. That obviously wouldn't be necessarily (and would save Mark time having to reply to requests) if BV simply issued the handful who wish to attend a seasonal pass with a passport-style photo that cannot be transferred to a mate or anyone else. It must be a little demeaning for prominent ex-riders, including one legend (not PC), to have to phone or text Lemon to get his permission. For this reason I know of one ex-Ace who, to avoid embarrassment, either just stays away or pays to get in. It shouldn't be this way. As for the lesser lights you mentioned, my purely personal view if that everyone who put their neck on the line for any club in at least six official senior matches should be offered a season pass. If I was running a track, I'd want the ex-riders to feel welcome. If they are, they are so much more likely to spread positive vibes about the speedway, which can only be a good thing when the paying support is diminishing at most venues.
  6. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Dave's bad crash which badly broke his thigh was on May 13, 1977 - Hackney v Poole. He had averaged a career-best 10.18 from 36 league and KO Cup matches in a brilliant 1976. Or 10.28 from 32 BL matches, which saw him finish eighth in the overall BL averages.
  7. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    He certainly does have inside knowledge of the unhappy (for him) 18 months or so when he WAS part of the original consortium at Kirky Lane, along with John Perrin, Norman Smith and Don Bowes, as he recalls in great detail in the book. In the book, PC knowledge of events involving subsequent regimes is largely supported and embellished by George Carswell, who was heavily involved through the years with numerous promotions as a major investor who ultimately lost hundreds of thousands of pounds financing BV. As for your comments re. passes, they are wide of the mark. Again, PC states the facts in his book.
  8. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    PC's account of that turbulent period is laid bare in later chapters.
  9. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    If you live in or not far from Lymm in Cheshire, then you might want to drop into the Lymm Heritage Centre this Thursday (Dec 15, 6.30-8.30pm), when PC will be there signing copies of his book. The full address is: Lymm Heritage Centre, Legh Street, Lymm, WA13 0DA.
  10. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    What does it matter? PC has no personal affinity with the NSS and no-one from Belle Vue's management has made contact with him or us as his publisher to express any interest in hosting such an event. It's not as if it could be held to coincide with a speedway meeting either. Besides, the Longsight social club - who did approach us and are keen to make use of their facilities - is festooned with Aces memorabilia, proudly celebrating Belle Vue's history.
  11. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    If you live in or near Manchester, then you might be interested to know that PC is returning to the Longsight & District Sports & Social Club this Friday (Dec 9) for an 'Evening with Peter Collins' Q&A that I'll be conducting with him. It's also another ideal opportunity to buy his acclaimed new autobiography for £20 (a fiver off the RRP) and get it signed by the sporting legend. You may also like to take a selfie incorporating his 1976 world title-winning bike, leathers and body colour. Doors open at 7.30pm, with the main event starting at 8.00. As well as selling the book, Susie will also be there with a number of Retro Speedway's selected DVDs. The full address is: Longsight & District Sports & Social Club 140 Kirkmanshulme Lane (next to the NSS) Manchester M12 4WP Admission: £10.00 (inc buffet). You can pre-order a ticket via PayPal from Lesleyrourke33@hotmail.com or pay at the door on the night. Hope to see you there . . .
  12. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    You can pay £10 at the door on the night. Books are £20 each.
  13. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    You can pay £10 at the door on the night. Books are £20 each.
  14. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Yes, you are right - PC will be there. Here are the details: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 London Classic Off Road & Racing Show, Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW16 5AQ. 8.00am-3.00pm. Admission: Early Bird (from 8.00am) £10, adult from 9.30am £7, child (under-15) free. Free car parking.
  15. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 Longsight & District Sports & Social Club, 140 Kirkmanshulme Lane, Manchester M12 4WP. 7.30pm. £10.00 for an ‘Evening with PC’ Q&A (inc buffet).
  16. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Yes, PC was very enthusiastic about devoting a full and lengthy chapter to all the many who assisted him throughout his career. He'll be pleased that you were first attracted by that chapter. Enjoy the read...
  17. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Easily the best, most efficient, way of clarifying if and when your book has been posted is to contact Retro Speedway direct. Please call Susie, who handles all our dispatch, on 01708 734 502, or email her at retrospeedway@gmail.comNeither of us checks this forum for messages intended for us on a daily basis, so queries such as yours may well go unanswered for longer than is necessary.Thank you.
  18. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Easily the best, most efficient, way of clarifying if and when your book has been posted is to contact Retro Speedway direct. Please call Susie, who handles all our dispatch, on 01708 734 502, or email her at retrospeedway@gmail.com Neither of us checks this forum for messages intended for us on a daily basis, so queries such as yours may welkl go unanswered for longer than is necessary. Thank you.
  19. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    PC and we and very much looking forward to this event. Peter will be bringing along his 1976 World Final leathers and body colour, which should make for a neat photo opportunity. We will also be selling our Retro Speedway DVDs on the night, including our brand new release DEFUNCT BRITISH LEAGUE TRACKS 2, Sadly, Brandon obviously features among the 14 new additions since we produced volume 1 some years ago. To check out the full range, please visit www.retro-speedway.com
  20. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Thank you, hope you continue to enjoy it.
  21. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    Thank you for your continued patience. Had an overwhelming response and we're posting out more than 100 per day.
  22. TonyMac

    Peter Collins Book

    PC spent all day Saturday back at Retro Towers signing lots more copies, and we have hired extra staff to catch up the backlog. We've already made two trips to the Glossop post office sorting depot this morning with numerous sack-loads of books. Thanks for your continued patience.
  23. TonyMac

    Backtrack & Classic Magazines

    Email Susie at retrospeedway@gmail.com to check status of your subscription, or to order the extra copy... Thanks.
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