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Issue 27

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After a delay at the printers (sorry, folks), Issue 27 was mailed out to subscribers on Monday of this week. Here's what there is to look forward to (or miss, if you haven't yet subscribed!)...

 

MAIN MEN: THE COLLINS BROTHERS

Peter, Les, Phil, Neil and Steve are the most famous brothers in speedway history – and we’ve got exclusive, new interviews with all five of them!

 

Les laments going so close to winning the World title at Los Angeles in 1982 and offers his own take on that infamous Penhall-Carter scrap that ultimately cost him the crown. He did win the BLRC in 1980 but he reveals why the BSPA’s attitude marred what should have been his finest moment in UK racing.

 

Phil talks to us from his home in California, where he settled after suddenly quitting British speedway at the end of the 1986 season. Read what he has to say about his time with Ellesmere Port and Cradley Heath and why he decided to give Britain the boot.

 

Neil, who holds the all-time British appearance record after an incredible 29 seasons in the saddle, takes us on his eventful long and winding journey from track to track. Find out too why he was never best mates with Kenny Carter!

 

Steve, the youngest Collins, talks in-depth for the first time about his struggle to follow in the tyre tracks of his more illustrious brothers.

 

And Peter, the 1976 World Champion they all set out to try and emulate, provides a fascinating insight into the characteristics of all four of his brothers.

 

We find out what the Collins boys from Cheshire are doing now, while lead columnist JOHN BERRY has his say on each of them.

 

REUNIONS

We’re at Belle Vue and Wolverhampton to bring you exclusive coverage of their recent 80th anniversary meetings, while we also catch up with the Rayleigh reunions to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Rockets’ launch and their revival 40 years ago.

 

NEIL MACFARLANE

One of the most influential and controversial characters in Scottish speedway history, Neil talks to Backtrack about his promoting and managerial experiences at Glasgow, Coatbridge, Edinburgh and Paisley.

 

HENNY KROEZE

Arguably the greatest ever Dutch speedway rider, Henny recalls his injury-plagued years with Halifax (where he made BL history), Bristol and Sheffield – and reveals how his motorcycle skills are still thrilling crowds.

 

JOE THURLEY

Following the recent sad death of former Birmingham boss Joe, his ex-business partner John Berry pays his own personal tribute to the man who first got him into speedway.

 

ROMFORD: DEFUNCT TRACK

The Bombers lasted only three seasons before they were grounded by one crusading anti-speedway resident. We re-visit the Essex town to find out why they attracted regular 5,000 crowds and what was so ‘different’ about their so-called safety fence.

 

READING IN 1975

Through an extract from the new book, Tears and Glory – The Winged Wheel Story, to commemorate 40 years of Reading Speedway, we reflect on the Racers’ first season at Smallmead, in 1975, when Anders Michanek was the local idol.

 

Plus…

 

Rod Haynes’ Column; Arena Essex in Pictures; Q&As with former Weymouth and Crayford rider Garry May and Berwick announcer Dennis McCleary; the result of the 2007-08 Backtrack Mastermind competition, your letters and, of course, another huge does of nostalgia.

 

http://www.retro-speedway.com/

Edited by tmc

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Phil still owes me a tenner, so i can hardly wait for his email address.. :lol:

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Cheers for that, Tony can't wait. Hope Sandman gets his tenner....

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Looking forward to this one, especially the Henny Kroeze interview, I remember him at Sheffield, used to spend alot of the time injuried.

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looking forward to reading what neil mcfarlane has to say he wasnt everyones cup of tea up here but i always liked him although dropping super stevie for the home match with exeter wasnt one of his better moves even though it all worked out in the end and he did give us robbie nagy and for that the tigers fans will be eternally grateful :approve:

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looking forward to reading what neil mcfarlane has to say he wasnt everyones cup of tea up here but i always liked him although dropping super stevie for the home match with exeter wasnt one of his better moves even though it all worked out in the end and he did give us robbie nagy and back to back league and cup doubles and for that the tigers fans will be eternally grateful :approve: he was a character from the old school of promoters who liked a bit of controversy and winding people up especially referees :wink: which i sadly lacking a bit in our sport these days

Edited by mervjankefanclub

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Anyone got it yet?

 

 

Very sorry for the delay, folks, but our printer had a mechanical breakdown (leading to a backlog) that delayed Backtrack by several days.

 

The good news is that all subscribers' copy were in fact posted out today (Monday, Sept 1).

 

Thanks for your patience and hope it's worth the wait.

 

Cheers,

Tony Mac

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Issue 27 will be mailed out to subscribers this week, and highlights include:

 

(THE OTHER) COLLINS BROTHERS - exclusive, in-depth interviews with Les, Phil, Neil and Steve. As Peter tends to get loads more coverage than his brothers, a large chunk of this issue is devoted to them, with PC adding his own personal comments on each of his four younger brothers.

 

Phil, who has been living in the USA since 1986, has given us the OK to publish his email address and says he'd be delighted to hear from any supporters who remember him...

 

REUNION REVIEWS - from Belle Vue, Wolves & Rayleigh.

 

NEIL MACFARLANE - former Glasgow, Paisley and Edinburgh promoter.

 

HENNY KROEZE - former Halifax, Bristol and Sheffield Dutchman.

 

JOE THURLEY - personal tribute by John Berry to the man who got him into speedway.

 

DEFUNCT TRACK - ROMFORD.

 

ARENA ESSEX in Pictures.

 

I,ve got Milan Spinka the colourful Czech rider of the 70,s now FIM referee email address if you ever want to do a report on him!!

 

Plus...Rod Haynes Column, Garry May on Two Mins, Dennis Macleary on the Mic, Letters, etc, etc.

 

http://www.retro-speedway.com/

 

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Not forgetting the extract from "Tears & Glory" on the first year of Reading Racers @Smallmead :wink:

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My copy arrived yesterday, can't wait to get stuck into it....

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