TonyMac

As we're about to publish a one-off titled SPEEDWAY IN THE 70s, I wondered what everybody misses most about that decade (we'll get to the 80s in all good time)... To set the ball rolling, here are a few things that readily spring to mind, but please add your own thoughts: 1. The 13-heat formula, tac subs, choice of gates. 2. 40-38 3. Team riding. 4. Bike racks on cars. 5. Track spares (that's a bike, not a loose woman!) 6. Wembley Stadium. 7. Meeting riders in the bar after meetings. 8. Standard equipment. 9. Supporters' club buses. 10. Passing. 11. Riders' names you could spell and pronounce. 12. Hyde Road.

Does anybody out there have a copy of the 1979 BLRC prog from Belle Vue (John Louis won it), that they can lay their hands on quickly, and then scan and email it to us at editorial@retro-speedway.com? We're doing a feature on the BLRCs of the 70s in the next Backtrack, which we hope to finish tomorrow night (Wednesday), and wanted to illustrate the FRONT cover of each prog. Unfortunately, we don't have the 1979 issue in our office, hence the urgent request. It would need to be scanned to 250 dpi for print purposes, although you could reduce the size of the file by reducing the scan size to 50% if it helps. Many thanks. Tony Mac

It was Pinegen (publishers of Speedway Star) who were talking to Ole about publishing an English language version of his Danish book, but there has been no sign of it yet. We'll be producing a Xmas stocking filler titled SPEEDWAY IN THE 70s in November and it will be advertised on this site, as well as via our own site and both of our magazines.

Thanks to all for your rapid responses. Spoke to Finn at length tonight and although his memory of his speedway career is hazy, he came out with plenty of interesting stuff that will be in the next Backtrack. He smiled at the memory of his 21-point max for Wolves at Swindon, but admits he was "bloody angry" when he broke his ankle at the Swindon press/practice day in '86 (it was junior Nick Bates who was also involved in the crash). Although I mentioned previously about having rarely seen him crash, he pointed out that he broke his thigh at Monmore Green in 1976 and dioctors told him his racing career was finished. A year later he finished 5th in his first World Final. Finn seems to recall that he reared up and hit one of those horrible, old lamp standards at MG - can anyone recall the details of the incident, please? He confims that it was his choice to miss the entire '85 season, to focus on his family life (his second son was born that year). He admits he lacked the hunger and sheer desire to become world champion and said that there was always "a little bit lacking" in him.

Why the booing?

That would explain why he didn't ride in 1985 and made his Robins debut a year later.

KevH has started 900,000,023 individual new threads on this section of the BSF asking for the same basic info about 900,000,023 different former riders. Does anyone have his birth date/place or any memories of him please?

No! Blimey. it's been out for 18 months and we need to clear space in the 'factory!' And there was I thinking we were doing a good thing. OK, it's been increased to £29.99 + £3 P&P.

Sick of hearing and reading about the credit crunch and how the cost of just about everything in our lives is going up? Now some more good news from Retro Speedway... We have now slashed the price of TRAGEDY - the Kenny Carter story from £15.99 to just £10.00, inc FREE P&P to all UK addresses. http://www.retro-speedway.com

Thanks to all for your ongoing suggestions about the people we should interview in future issues of Backtrack. But, in the meantime, we're all set to interview Finn Thomsen tomorrow. Very short notice, I know, but just wondered if mention of his name evokes any memories or thoughts among you all? What do fans of the clubs Finn rode for - Wolves, Hackney, Poole and Swindon - make of him? Any particular races or incidents that spring to mind? From a Hawks perspective, most will probably have only good things to say about a rider who, though never spectacular, could beat the best when he was 'up for it' or sufficiently riled enough to want to prove a point. Seem to recall that he didn't exactly see eye to eye with Billy Sanders! Finn was, essentially, a solid BL performer and a team man at Waterden Road, although there was perhaps a perception that he reserved his best efforts for the big occasions...World Championships and World Team Cups. He possessed excellent throttle control, mind, and I struggle to recall seeing him crash. As I say, any comments are most welcome. In the next issue we've also interviewed Andy Smith, Reading promoter Pat Bliss, Robbie Gardner, Rudy Muts and Sean Courtney and there's also an in-depth feature on the old Fenton training track - part of a new series looking at training tracks. http://www.retro-speedway.com

Apologies to all subscribers who have waited patiently, but our printer experienced mechanical problems last week, which created a backlog on their presses. I've just got back from there tonight to approve the proofs and we're assured that issue 2 will be printed in the next 48 hours and delivered to us by this Friday. It will obviously be despatched to postal subscribers immediately, so you should expect to receive it early next week. Once again, many thanks for your patience and support. Tony Mac

Thanks asturmer, but we did Spinka way back in Issue 17.

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

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/

Here's a summary of what's up in Issue 2... COLIN PRATT Our front cover subject is normally a man of few words, but former World Finalist Colin Pratt recalls the highs and lows of his racing career in issue 2 of Classic Speedway. After learning his trade with Stoke in the Provincial League, 'Pratty' established himself as a British League No.1 and England star with Hackney. The double London Riders’ champion reflects on his six seasons as skipper at The Wick between 1964 and 1969, his long-term relationship with Hawks boss Len Silver - "one of the best" - and the disappointment of being denied a third consecutive LRC title. He sought a move to Cradley Heath in 1970 and, after threatening to quit Britain and ride in Sweden or the USA, he was enjoying life at one of his favourite tracks when tragedy struck on the road near the Belgium town of Lokeren. The minibus carrying the West Ham team and manager Phil Bishop back from Holland crashed, killing four riders as well as Bishop. Pratt made what he describes as a "miracle escape" but after six months recovering from a broken neck and other serious injuries, he was advised by medical experts never to race again. "They warned me that if I broke the vertebra again, I'd end up paralysed from the neck down," he says. TERRY BETTS One of the most popular riders of his generation and a legend at King's Lynn, it wasn't always plain sailing for the blond bombshell. In our second major exclusive in issue 2, 'Bettsy' reveals the reasons why the Control Board banned him for nine months and he threatened to turn his back on the sport after a dispute with the Norwich management. He tells how Ove Fundin's selfish hard-riding tactics at the Firs upset him and his team-mates but how it made him a much better rider too. "He'd take your leg away, ride right over your foot," says Terry. Betts explains why he was at one time persona non grata at his former club, Wolverhampton and what riding for Lynn boss Maurice Littlechild meant to him. Littlechild was one mentor in Terry's life and the other key figure was Colin Pratt, who, he says, transformed his career in the early 70s. ERIC BOOTHROYD International rider and captain, world finalist, team manager, promoter, BSPA chairman and track curator . . . Eric Boothroyd has done the lot in speedway and he's still going strong in retirement in his native West Yorkshire. In our third big exclusive of this issue, the Halifax title-winning captain of 1966 takes us through his long speedway journey, from his debut ride while serving in the army, though his spells with Birmingham, Oxford and Middlesbrough, his tours of South Africa and on to his influential role in the launch of the shale sport in his home town of Halifax. Eric reveals why, every time they met for years, Ronnie Moore called him a "rotten devil" and also why, at 41, he decided the time was right to finally hang up his leathers. BRIAN CRUTCHER One of the best Brits never to win the World Final, the former Poole and Wembley favourite was still a top rider with Southampton when he stunned his supporters by announcing his retirement. The World No.2 of 1954 explains the reasons behind his decision and why he now regrets ending his racing days as early as he did. FRANK VAREY The latest in our 'Legend' series, we look back at one of the sport’s great pioneering characters - the former Belle Vue and England wild man they called the 'Red Devil'. GOING TO THE DOGS? Can speedway and greyhound racing live without each other? Following the recent closure of Walthamstow Stadium, we ask if the two sports are the classic marriage of convenience? NAME THAT TRACK Can you name the three tracks pictured in our latest photo quiz? Plus… Your letters, plus our regular columnists John Hyam and Ian Hoskins, and tributes to Willie Templeton, Joe Thurley, Bert Edwards, Darren Boocock and Snowy Beattie. Previously unseen photographs and another whole helping of pure nostalgia. Why not subscribe now for 12 months - it costs just £12 in the UK. http://www.retro-speedway.com

Thanks for the positive feedback on Mick's excellent contributions - we'll have to try and coax even more words from him, although he's a busy man. Issue 27 will be back from the printer on Wednesday and posted out to subscribers the same day.

Hundreds more pics have been added to the Retro Speedway Gallery section in the last few days, including: Many team groups from the early 70s, plus H&S and action from that era too. 1979 Colour. Also, some earlier nostalgic shots from the 60s and 50s. http://www.retro-speedway.com/

Penarth Stadium

Steve, More tears on their way, mate. Have just added three views of Plough Lane. And there are also new shots of Belle Vue, Crewe, Rochdale, Doncaster and Leicester just added. Can anyone confirm the 'unknown' venue on the site? There's a football pitch in the middle, but I'm still none the wiser.

Just to let you know, we've just added a number of new pictures of sadly defunct tracks to our site. If you can stand the pain of looking at these shrines to British speedway, colour pics were taken at the following: Belle Vue (Hyde Road) Crewe Glasgow (Craighead Park)-in black & white only Hackney (arrrrgggh!) Halifax Harringay Leicester (Lions fans of a sensitive disposition should not go there - it's a pic of a flattened Blackbird Road. Sorry.) Reading Rochdale Walthamstow Wimbledon http://www.retro-speedway.com Click the 'Gallery' tab on our Home Page and go to the Defunct Tracks section... If anybody has any pics of defunct tracks that they would like us to add to our site, so that others can enjoy viewing and reminiscing over them, then please email the pic(s) to me at editorial@retro-speedway.com. We would be pleased to add your name to the list of credits, if you wish. Cheers, Tony Mac

WOULD you like to listen to the stars of the past talking today? Well, thanks to our Listen to Legends section at Retro Speedway, now you can! We pride ourselves on bringing you the best, in-depth and exclusive interviews in both Backtrack and Classic Speedway magazines. Most of our major interviews, featuring the superstars who have appeared on our front covers, have been recorded on high quality audio tape - and excerpts from those many hours of tape can now be brought to you in audio form via various clips. It's nice to sit down and read a chunky interview with a former rider but it's something else to be able to actually hear what they have to say in their own words. We hope our readers will enjoy this added bonus. The first legend you will be able to hear is Erik Gundersen, the three-times former World Champion who we visited at his home in Denmark to look back over his illustrious career that ended so tragically in 1989. You can hear - in Erik's own words - what he now thinks of his intense rivalry with Hans Nielsen, his relationship with Ole Olsen - and what he makes of the rift between Olsen and Nielsen. Erik, the idol of the Cradley Heath fans, also talks candidly about that fateful day at Bradford when his career - and almost his life - ended in the most awful circumstances. He analyses the crash itself, how his injuries occurred and the aftermathbattling back and how lucky he was to be able to walk again. You can feel the raw emotion in Erik's voice. Obviously, this will appeal to Cradley Heath fans but supporters worldwide, no matter which team they follow now or in the past, will hopefully enjoy listening to Erik's Danish/Black Country accent again and what he has to say now about the major issues that surrounded his great career. Please let us know what you think via this forum. To listen to the dynamic Dane, just click here to go to our Retro Speedway website at http://www.retro-speedway.com On the Home Page, scroll down to the bottom and click on the Listen to Legends banner featuring Anders Michanek and Ray Wilson - just two more of the past stars we'll bring you in audio form in the weeks and months to come, along with the likes of Michael Lee, Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen, Hans Nielsen, Sam Ermolenko, Malcolm Simmons, John Louis, Terry Betts, Chris Morton, etc, etc.

Brian, Pse post to: Retro Speedway (CS Sub) 103, Douglas Road Hornchurch Essex RM11 1AW Many thanks.

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

Just to let all know that we've got the Past Riders Today picture gallery up and running today, with more than 200 images of former riders, promoters, etc, that we've photographed since Backtrack magazine started in 2004, now uploaded to our Retro Speedway site. Some old favourites will be instantly recogniseable, but others will possibly amaze you at how they've turned out after all these years! Sadly, one or two have since passed away. See how many you can recognise without looking at their names first....! Click on the link below and then go to 'Gallery' from the main menu at the top of the Home Page. http://www.retro-speedway.com Please let us know what you think....

Yes, Bettsy, Mister King's Lynn, is our MAIN man in the next issue, going to print this weekend. Terry gave us a great interview. How could anybody possibly dislike the man? Great bloke. Top rider. Here are some bang up to date pics of Terry, as taken at his place last week... Follow the link below, just click on 'Gallery' in the main menu at the top and head for our new Past Riders Today section. http://www.retro-speedway.com If you're a King's Lynn fan from the 70s or 80s, you'll come across a number of other familiar faces.