Brian L 2 Posted July 1, 2008 Been waiting a long time for the Bobby Mac article, one of my favourite Hackney riders. Was disappointed when he quit racing, but fully understand and respect his descision. He says in the article that he felt that he didn't 'fit in' at Hackney, I don't think the supporters felt that way. Good to meet him at the Hackney reunion a few years back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMac 720 Posted July 1, 2008 Issue 26 out now, including... MAIN MAN – TERRY BETTS There really is no other apt title for Terry Betts than ‘Mr King’s Lynn’, so who better to reflect on the 70s and 80s at Saddlebow Road than the Stars legend who spent 14 wonderful years with the Norfolk club. Posing for our photographer with the Lynn Trophy he won in the first-ever meeting staged at KL in 1965, ‘Bettsy’ talks of his respect and affection for Maurice Littlechild – the man who tempted him out of retirement. He also pays tribute to the other man who set him on the path to domestic and international stardom, his great friend Colin Pratt, who made Terry realise that he needed a much more professional approach if he was ever to fulfil his potential. Betts often fought a lone battle as Lynn’s spearhead, until the arrival of Malcolm Simmons in 1968. Terry talks about their rivalry and how it led to him breaking his arm in a second-half final. He reflects, too, on the sudden emergence of Michael Lee and then, at the end of 1978, his unhappy departure from his beloved Saddlebow Road, where he found himself out in the cold after the signing of Dave Jessup. “My career didn’t end the way I wanted it to,” admitted a regretful Betts, who spent his final season with Reading before calling it a day at the age of 36. Our lead columnist JOHN BERRY provides his insight into a rider he describes as a “down to earth bloke’s bloke.” NEIL STREET We talk to the man who revolutionised speedway in the mid-70s with his controversial four-valve engine. Neil reveals how he masterminded the Jawa conversion that took the sport by storm in 1975 and why he wasn’t able to sustain its initial success as rival companies, Weslake and Jawa, unveiled their motors. One of speedway’s most respected and enduring characters, ‘Streetie’ looks back on the latter days of his own long racing career with Newport and his defence of the much-maligned Somerton Park track also makes very interesting reading. Neil also explains the satisfaction he gained from nurturing the careers of his son-in-law Phil Crump and grandson, 2008 British GP winner Jason Crump. BRUCE CRIBB Another one of the sport’s most colourful characters, Bruce clearly revelled in his hard-man image and recalls some of his more interesting scrapes from a long career that took in spells with Cradley Heath, Wolves, Berwick and Exeter among others. Also, he reveals what he remembers most from New Zealand’s 1979 World Team Cup victory and looks back on his ice racing exploits. BOBBY McNEIL One of the finest products of the Eastbourne academy, Bobby McNeil showed promise at top flight Swindon and Hackney before retiring at a relatively young age to pursue business interests. He recalls how the death of a former team-mate and career-ending injuries to another good friend hastened his decision to quit. BOSTON: DEFUNCT TRACK They were a dominating force in Division Two in 1973 but the roar of the bikes had gone before the end of the 1987 season. Looking back at Barracudas’ highs and lows and local heroes like Arthur Price, Carl Glover, Robert Hollingworth and debutant Michael Lee. JAN VERNER An exclusive interview from the Czech Republic, as we catch up with one of the famous racing family, who had spells in the BL with Exeter and Swindon and made his own slice of World Championship history. WAGS Behind every top man . . . we turn the clock back to the 70s and recall the views of three wives of former riders – Angela Collins, Pat Louis and Yvonne Sjosten. Plus… The Rod Haynes column, Q&As with Mike Wilding, Andy Meldrum and Mike Bennett, your letters the final round of Backtrack Mastermind and more… It still costs only £16.00 to subscribe, or you can order this single issue direct from us at: http://www.retro-speedway.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
