TonyMac 720 Posted February 8, 2010 (edited) Issue 36 is out now and includes.... JAN O PEDERSEN – Exclusive interview Former Denmark and Cradley Heath favourite Jan O Pedersen bares his soul in our latest big exclusive. The 1991 World Champion recalls his rollercoaster career that began with the Heathens in 1983 and ended cruelly less than a year after he was crowned speedway’s No.1. Little Jan O, one of the most thrilling and spectacular racers of his era, reveals the legacy of his career-ending crash at the start of 1992 that has left him to commit to a daily course of pain-killers to ease the suffering he still feels in his back, hands and legs. But he talks about the good times, too . . . nine successful seasons with his beloved Cradley and the Black Country life that remains so close to his heart. An enjoyable year spent on loan to Sheffield, how he adapted his gating technique to succeed fellow Dane Erik Gundersen as Heathens’ top rider and became a triple world champ in the months before his racing days came to an abrupt end. He explains why he refused to gift Gundersen the win that would have guaranteed him the 1988 World Championship and re-lives the heartbreak of missing the following two World Finals due to injuries. The ever-popular Jan O reflects on his life after speedway – as promoter of Cradley at Stoke and Oxford team manager - and talks of his ambition to become a youth speedway trainer who can help nurture the next generation. John Berry also runs the rule over one of the sport’s genuine nice guys. BRUCE PENHALL Our American star columnist turns the spotlight on two of his former USA Test team-mates, Bobby Schwartz and Dennis Sigalos. BP partnered ‘Boogaloo’ to World Pairs glory in 1981 – the Yanks’ first World Championship victory since 1937 – before his retirement allowed ‘Siggy’ to join Schwartz and retain the pairs crown in ’82. Bruce also recalls the embarrassment he felt when he was left without a partner in his first World Pairs Final, at Vojens in 1979, and explains why the American authorities did little to help. MALCOLM SIMMONS Our other former star rider columnist explains why Maurice Littlechild, his former boss at King’s Lynn, was the best promoter he ever rode for. Super Simmo also continues his review of old London tracks with a look at the spacious White City, which was one home to the biggest meetings in the UK racing calendar. And he begins a new series of technical insight with his opinions on the once dominant JAP engine on which he began his career in the early 60s. MALCOLM HOLLOWAY One of the sport’s biggest characters, Malcom Holloway looks back over his racing days with his hometown club Swindon, plus his spells with Reading, Oxford, and Milton Keynes, etc. Find out who Malc describes as his ‘hero’ and what he thinks of former team-mates such as Bob Kilby, Phil Bass, Phil Crump and Steve Gresham. ‘Mad Wellie’ recalls some of his exploits both on and off the track, as well as his ill-fated period in management at cash-strapped Reading. WHERE HAVE ALL THE CHARACTERS GONE? Richard Bott laments the loss of so many colourful characters who made speedway such a vibrant and much-talked about sport in the 70s and 80s. STEVE BISHOP Q&A The former Swindon, Exeter, Stoke and Arena Essex rider reveals his favourite tracks and promoter, plus much more... RADFORD’S TRAVELS Bob continues his world-wide journey with reviews of visits to Huddinge (Sweden), Landshut (Germany), Larvik (Norway), Leicester, Lejonen (Sweden), Long Eaton, Lonigo (Italy), LA Coliseum (USA), Middlesbrough, Mildenhall, Mildura (Australia) and Milton Keynes. Plus... Your letters, plus colour pics of Phil Herne, Robert Henry, Roy Carter, Ian Humphries, Martin Hagon, Steve Finch, Robert Maxfield and Paul Woods and many other previously unpublished pictures... To buy this issue and for full subscription details, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com/ Edited February 8, 2010 by tmc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomcat 21 Posted February 12, 2010 Finally seen the light and got myself a subscription to Backtrack. A classic case of, "Should have done it sooner". Loved the Jan O article, a real pocket rocket for Cradley and how unlucky can one rider be regarding the World Final. Now off to get into the rest of this edition. Cheers for the chance to look back on a wonderful time for speedway and a chance for me to take a nice trip back down memory lane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falkirkbandit 89 Posted March 20, 2010 I bought issues 34, 35 and 36 at Armadale last night, can't wait to get stuck into reading them! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
