TonyMac 720 Posted February 12, 2008 Here's what's cookin' in issue 24, as we look forward to a fifth year of Backtrack... MAIN MAN – OLE OLSEN We’ve brought you some major exclusive interviews in Backtrack magazine over the past four years, but they don’t come any bigger than this one, with three times World Champion Ole Olsen – the most powerful man in speedway. Editor Tony Mac recently visited the original Great Dane at his home in Denmark and the result is a captivating 8-page interview with the man who put Danish speedway on the map. As forthright and controversial as ever, Ole talks about his own illustrious racing career, including his memories of riding for Newcastle, Wolverhampton and Coventry in the British League. Read what he has to say about: *Mike Parker, the rebel promoter who brought him to England in 1967. *Learning from the maestro, Ivan Mauger. *Why he would have quit BL if he hadn’t been granted his wish to join Coventry in 1976, when the BSPA tried to force him to Hull. And what did he call Ian Thomas that so incensed the Vikings’ boss? *Ole’s reason for turning down Briggo’s invite to join the Golden Greats…and why this man of the future always prefers to look forwards rather than back. *His radical thoughts on the state of British speedway and how to cure them. “I think they should stop British speedway for two years – close it down – and then come back with a whole new concept,” he says. *Olsen advises the BSPA how to handle riders who refuse to ride in wet conditions. *And among his revolutionary plans for the continued development of the Speedway Grand Prix is to change the starting system, so that the man on the outside starts one metre in front of the rest on an angled start-line grid. Our top writer John Berry airs his own personal thoughts on Olsen, the man who became his most difficult opponent when they managed England and Denmark respectively in the mid-80s. All this and much more…and this is only Part 1! The second instalment of the interview, when Ole talks candidly about his feud with Hans Nielsen, explains why he backed Erik Gundersen and how that, in turn, also upset Tommy Knudsen, will be in our next issue (No. 25), when he also talks about his World Final ups and downs and Vojens. ERIK GUNDERSEN The second part of our Erik Gundersen interview, a 5-pager, also makes for compelling reading, although it won’t please British track bosses. For the triple World Champion talks enthusiastically about his new role as Denmark’s Youth Trainer . . . and why the future looks rosy for his country and gloomy for the Brits. ‘Gunder the Wonder’ explains, in detail, how the Danes are re-building for the future with a structured youth policy aimed at producing the next generation of Nicki Pedersens. But, as Erik warns here, it’s not only the progression of bike-mad kids in Denmark and Sweden who Britain should beware of. He predicts that Russia will follow Poland and become a major force in world speedway in the seasons ahead, having himself been offered a coaching role in the old Soviet Union. The former Cradley Heath hero also offers to help Britain puts its house in order after years of neglect when it comes to youth development. BELLE VUE – 80-year celebrations To mark the 80th year of racing at Belle Vue, and in Britain, in 2008, we talk to former Aces’ boss Eric Boocock about what it was like to race at the much-missed Hyde Road raceway and the honour of being part of the famed Manchester set-up. Booey also pays tribute to the late Allan Morrey, one of the unsung heroes of Belle Vie Speedway for many years. JOE THURLEY Although currently awaiting triple heart bypass surgery that he hopes will happen in April, the former Birmingham boss reveals the highs and lows of reviving the Brummies at Perry Barr in 1971, the glory days of the mid-70s and then his ill-fated decision to take them up into the top flight. It’s a gamble he now regrets. KEVIN JOLLY A strong East Anglian feel to this four-page interview, as former Mildenhall starlet Kevin recalls the tension of past local derby clashes in the top flight between Ipswich and King’s Lynn – and why he wished he’d never moved from Foxhall to Saddlebow Road. DEFUNCT TRACK: RAYLEIGH If you were a regular at The Weir track in south-east Essex in the early 70s, you’ll be wallowing in nostalgia with this 3-pager on the Rockets, who were revived by Len Silver in 1968 and ran until the dreaded bulldozers flattened the place at the end of the 1973 season. NATIONAL SERVICE How speedway was back page news – and occasionally even made the front! – during the glory days of the 70s and early 80s, when England ruled world speedway. Plus… The Rod Haynes Column, Life and Times of a 70s Racer . . . interview with former Middlesbrough announcer and team manager Tony Coupland, a tribute to ex-Oxford graduate Rick Timmo, and Q&As with Ian Hindle and Russ Dent, as well as your letters and the latest round of our Mastermind quiz. _____________________________________________ If you don’t already subscribe to Backtrack, which is now entering its fifth year, it costs just £16.00 a year (UK) to have six issues delivered direct to your door. Or, if you want to try one issue first before committing, you can buy single copies for £4.00 (inc P&P) via the PayPal facility at the publisher’s website: http://www.retro-speedway.com Alternatively, you can place your order over the phone by calling 01708 734 502. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyP 3 Posted February 12, 2008 I was reading the interview with Ole Olsen last night. Very interesting read. I was particuarly interest to read his views on rained off meetings in Britain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
