Garry1603

I love the magazine and it's a real delight to receive it very couple of months, but is it time to move the timeline from 70s/80s to 80s/90s? It would open up a lot more riders to be included (and let's be honest, just about every decent rider has been discussed / interviewed now). Might even tempt some 90s fans to buy it as well. Not meant as a criticism at all, just an opinion.

Great post pathfinder. Personally I'd like to see some regionalisation to try to attract a few more away fans to local derbies. There can still be playoffs between the Northern and Southern champions to give the tv companies an end of season finale, but it might keep costs down a little and create more local rivalry if for example Belle Vue meet Sheffield four times over the league season. More technology needs to be integrated into the sport, which surely wouldn't be difficult to achieve, and riders encouraged to get out to speak with local journalists / sponsors / marketeers. It is very noticeable that the sport is still very white / male orientated too with only Antonio Lindback in the top category. In the current era surely a more ethnically diverse product could gain more support? Races for women should be encouraged too, perhaps starting as 'second half' rides after the team match but hopefully increasing as time goes by.

Sadly, long time Belle Vue Starting Marshall Peter Morrey has passed away. There was never any messing around at the starts when he was in charge! Belle Vue released the following press release today:- It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of long time Belle Vue Start Marshall Peter Morrey after a short illness. Peter was a member of the Belle Vue track staff from the early 50s where he worked for the infamous Johnnie Hoskins along with older brother Allan, who was Clerk of the Course for over 40 years. He was a tremendous servant to the club and was well respected by all the riders for his calm but firm approach to the many tricks they liked to pull to gain an advantage at the starting gate. Peter died peacefully at his home in Poynton in the early hours of Sunday morning (21st October) surrounded by his close family. Belle Vue Speedway wish to pass on their sincere condolences to the family at this very sad time

Don't see many of the current GP riders being able to be consistent enough to win over a season - but in a one off world final there were often around ten riders who 'could' put it together in one night. Most of the current GP riders can win a GP. but very few are professional enough to do what Tai / Greg do which is to be consistent and win a championship

Tai Woffinden is an exceptional rider who is certainly a worthy multiple world champion in the current era. Good luck to him and he has achieved more than he (probably) thought he would. I don't personally think that he is a genuine all time great, but that's not his problem - he's proved that he can be consistently good at the top level in current times. Would he be as dominant if he had six to ten genuine world title contenders (as opposed to a couple) like the Nielsens / Gundersens / Collins / Penhall had, I'm not so sure, but it's all a matter of opinion.

Brilliant race yes, certainly the best I've seen for ages. Congrats to all four riders and track staff. An old chestnut, but I still can remember the great Collins / Michanek race off in 1973 at Hyde Road and I always regarded that as the best ever.

Praying for Dan.

So sad to hear, especially after we lost fellow Great Ivan Mauger so recently. I saw him ride in my first ever meeting at Belle Vue in 1970 when he was lading Wimbledon in the Cup Final. Even then I could recognise that he was truly great. Sympathies to his family and friends.

I must have read the latest Backtrack at least ten times cover to cover, trying to find the odd thing I hadn't seen before. A brilliant tribute to a brilliant rider and human being. Thanks to all concerned.

Worrall was making the transition from a very decent second string to a genuine heat leader (especially in the current weaker league). His influence in the pits is also going to be a big loss however as he seems to be the type who takes captaincy very seriously. Big blow for Belle Vue's hopes this season.

That's a disgraceful situation if it's true. These riders put their necks on the line (literally) and chasing payment should be the last thing that they have to think of. I think that a few promoters need to look at themselves in the mirror.

I went there three / four times each season when Belle Vue were riding and I have to admit that the racing was great especially on the banked first / second bends. A big home advantage but it did create some great racing lines. Stadium was a bit run down though and visiting the toilets was an 'only if you're desperate' occasion!

Would it be a good chance to have England and Scotland teams back?

This would be a great chance for speedway to make national news for good reasons for a change if they came out and said that the Grid Girls remain.

If it's a 3-3 in the final, they should keep doing reruns until one team gains an advantage.

It's bound to - don't agree with it personally but the promoters will want to appear to be politically correct.

I only usually get the Speedway Star these days when it's got content that I know I'll be interested in - season preview edition, structure changes etc and when I saw the title for this topic I was going to order it as I am / was a big PC fan but having read through this topic I think I'll give it a miss. It sounds like it's a very one sided article and doesn't paint Collins in a good way. His health may or may not have been a factor in his interview, but it should be a topic dealt with around a table - not dissected in public by people who don't know the full picture.

Surely rider replacment would be better so less riders have to turn up - but each eat / drink a bit more

The only thing that matters on this thread is that one of the worlds most talented ever speedway riders faces a lifetime in a wheelchair - come on everybody let's get behind the man rather than petty bickering. Get well Tomasz, your fans in the UK are with you.

Lashing it down in Manchester at the moment.

The statement in full:- August 2017 Statement from Mauger family: Ivan Mauger Speedway Collection We have been incredibly touched by the support and good wishes which we have received from friends, fans and the entire speedway fraternity over the recent years since our father’s illness began. The messages and help are of great comfort to us, and it is heartening to see just how many people Dad’s career touched and inspired. As almost all families will experience, we have reached a difficult crossroads and had to make some tough decisions with regards to the future. As our father’s condition is sadly not improving and our mother has moved from the family home, which previously housed the enormous number of trophies, awards and motorcycles amassed by our father, we have come to the decision to part with much of his collection. Our father was arguably the most successful speedway rider of all time, and amassed the most astonishing number of trophies, awards and motorcycles. He kept fastidiously good care of each and every one, reflecting his passion and respect for the sport. We take great pride in the condition and variety of his collection, and know that it will bring joy to his fans, admirers and speedway enthusiasts alike when sold at auction in October at Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale. Part of his collection is already on display for the benefit of the public in the Canterbury Museum in his home town of Christchurch, New Zealand. It brings us all great pleasure to think of the speedway community enjoying the jackets, bikes and memorabilia which were part of our daily lives for so long. Each and every item holds its own collection of memories, and we now feel that we have reached the right moment to share them with the world, having spent years being approached by interested parties keen to own a slice of speedway history and our father’s career. Our father has always been grateful for his own good fortune, and did not take his successes for granted. He is a compassionate man, and one who never forgot those whose careers were cut short due to accidents or misfortune. As a tribute to our father’s generosity, we will be making a contribution to the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund in his name. Proceeds raised from the sale of several of the lots, including a signature chequered Bell helmet and his trophies from the 1975 season will be donated to the charity. We look forward to sharing these cherished memories of our father’s career with his fans and enthusiasts around the world, and know that he would be both immensely proud and deeply humbled by the enthusiasm with which his collection is being met across the globe. Julie, Kym and Debbie

David and Chris seem to have become the "forgotten men" of Belle Vue, but without them and their determination, there wouldn't be a new stadium for us all to enjoy.

Sadly, although Holder and Batch have got the temporary inconvenience (and lost earnings) from this avoidable situation, the real loser yet again is British speedway. Hopefully the national press don't get hold of the story, otherwise it's yet another nail in the coffin. Why couldn't Chapman and the riders have sat down and discussed their issues before it came to this? I'm sure that if either party had offered, something could have been agreed - but no, a lack of communication has left all the parties looking a bit amateurish (including the sport itself). It will be interesting to see what sort of reception the two riders get (if) they ever appear at KL again.

Agreed, as well as the obvious ability he had the desire to take it to the very top. My top five would be (and it's a very difficult choice) 1. Bruce Penhall 2. Greg Hancock 3, Scott Autrey 4. Kelly Moran 5. Dennis Sigalos ........ but there's an easy argument for Lance King, Shawn Moran, John Cook, Ron Preston etc.

Sad news to read that Ila Teromaa passed away yesterday. He was always a whole hearted, but fair rider when he came to Belle Vue with Leicester and Cradley. Injuries maybe stopped him reaching the highest level but a great entertainer. Riders like Ila are the mainstay of the sport in any generation of riders. Condolences to his family and friends. http://leicesterlions.co/news.php?extend.31018