TonyMac

Just to let everyone know that our Retro Speedway website has now been completely re-designed and relaunched today (June 27). The Photo Gallery/Sales section is ongoing and we'll be updating it very regularly, so worth a look there every now and again to see what great pics from the past have been added since your previous visit. There are literally thousands of pics to be scanned and displayed on site, so please bear with us...we'll get round to your personal favourites sooner or later! It will quickly become the most visually nostalgic speedway site to be found anywhere. Club galleries updated today are: Belle Vue, Coventry, Cradley, Canterbury and Crayford, with more to follow tomorrow... I'm also trying to get most of my audio taped interviews from Backtrack (with the likes of Mauger, Michanek, Wilson, Lee, Jessup, Simmo, etc, etc) converted to the correct audio format, which will enable you to download and listen to segments of the tapes, to add a further touch of authenticity. Wait for the girls to go weak at the knees as smoothie Anders talks about his time in speedway! You will also notice our new Retro Speedway Club (free to join) and a Readers' Questionnaire for you to complete online if and when you get the time. All part of our efforts to interract better with our customers/readers. We've also added a secure server PayPal system, so that people can now purchase books, magazines and other items from our site using their debit/credit card with much more confidence than before. Please let us know what you think... Cheers, TMc Website link: http://www.retro-speedway.com

With the BL list set to appear in our next issue (to be posted out this Thursday), we're now looking further ahead to the following issue (No.22) and our Great Entertainers for the National League. Don't forget, the period we're focusing on is 1970-1990 only, so come on, please let's have your nominations... There are probably more candidates than at BL level. Here are some obvious contenders to get you going... Barney Kennett Martin Dixon Richard Green Jack Millen Barry Thomas Alan Mogridge Andrew Silver Rob Grant Kelvin Mullarkey Arthur Browning Rob Woffinden Roger Johns Martin Goodwin Jens Rasmussen Joe Owen Neil Collins Merv Janke Colin Cook Mark Loram Tony Childs Tony Featherstone Gary Havelock Tiger Beech Dave Kennett Gordon Kennett Phil Collins Les Collins Malcolm Ballard Geoff Maloney Eric Broadbelt Bob Garrad Gary Peterson Stan Bear Simon Wigg Les "Red' Ott Peter Collins(!) Brian Foote

OK, thanks to all for your input. The BL list is published and all will be revealed in the next issue (which will be mailed out this Thursday evening). In the following issue we will be publishing a Great Entertainers National League fixture, so please see the new thread and your suggestions are, as always most welcome...

Steve, Fair shout re. Kelvin in '83, but that was purely because he was a raw novice. He soon settled down. What I'm really looking for are riders who were spectacular and/or entertaining - on a bike – THROUGHOUT their career, or certainly during their peak years. Preben Eriksen is not what you would call spectacular, but his robust (to be kind) style made him entertaining because you daren't take your eyes off him. I suppose leaving out Shawn Moran was designed to provoke a reaction - and it worked! Would 'older' Sheffield fans bear me out on Arnie Haley's worthiness? I didn't see that mijch of him. And is Peter Carr (Sheffield era) a possible contender? Shirra was steady on a bike, not spectacular, though I hear what you say about the boxing skill. Mitch has already been interviewed for the following issue of Backtrack (issue 22), not the one that will be out on June 30.

We're going to present a 'Great Entertainers' feature in Backtrack and I wondered if anyone would agree or disagree with the following list, or if you have any others worthy of inclusion. Remember, we are initially considering a BRITISH LEAGUE (first division) list (so no National League names, please, at this stage)and the riders need not be star names. They are essentially riders you could not take your eyes off while they were on track; riders who always entertained with their efforts - crowd-pleasers.... Finally, they must fit into the Backtrack era timescale of 1970-1990. I know it will spark debate and some of you will disagree with these initial choices, but see what you think of this list of 20, in no particular order: GREAT ENTERTAINERS (BL) Barry Thomas Andy Smith Chris Morton Peter Collins Kelly Moran Roman Matousek John Cook Jan O Pedersen Zenon Plech Phil Collins Zdenek Kudrna Vaclav Verner Alan Mogridge Preben Eriksen Christer Lofqvist Kenny Carter Andrew Silver Gary Guglielmi Steve Gresham Sean Wilson Arnie Haley

Help! Can anyone please help with the brief loan of old copies of the Speedway Mail newspaper? I urgently need to look through copies covering the period 1985 (all season) and pre-July 1986, in connection with reseach for our Kenny Carter book. Trouble is, I need to look through the papers BEFORE NEXT MONDAY! as the deadline is looming. So, if anyone who has these copies wouldn't mind letting me have a flick through them (ideally, someone who lives near enough to us in Hornchurch, Essex, so that we can collect from you), then they would be in line for a knighthood! Don't ask me why I never bothered to keep all my old Mails. Who has a garage or loft that big anyway! Seriously, if anyone can help, please either PM me by email at editorial@retro-speedway.com or phone me or Susie at Retro Speedway on 01708 734 502 asap. Obviously, any copies loaned will be kept in the same condition we receive them and returned safe and secure next week. I'd offer to buy them if someone would sell, but I assume anyone who has kept the papers that long will not wish to part with them. If not, name your price! Cheers, Tony Mac

Craig Pendlebury not only lives in Perth, he has sent a couple of emails to our office in the last couple of days in reply to the questions we put to him for our forthcoming Kenny Carter book. Craig featured in one of our earliest issues of Backtrack. Would love to track down Garry Middleton but, so far, we've had no luck doing so. Ivan Mauger told us his son Kym bumped into 'Cass' on a golf course on the Aussie Gold Coast a year or two back, but no-one has seen him since. If anyone can help put us in touch.... Fiora has been 'done', so has Kelly Moran in the form of a brief Q&A. I'm attempting to contact Kelly for his comments on Carter, too. Mark Courtney is another we are hoping to interview in the next few issues. Rob Grant, Rob Woffinden, Tim Hunt and Les Collins are other hopeful interview subjects in the pipeline. Trying to get a reply from Ole Olsen (so hang in there Stan!). Just got to talk at length to the one and only Zenon Plech at some point soonish.... We can't interview everyone at once, though! Thanks for your interest and comments. Keep 'em coming...! Tony Mac

Ooops! Sorry, here they are: MASTERMIND ANSWERS FROM ISSUE 19 1 Finn Thomsen riding for Coventry. His first BL club was Wolverhampton (6pts). 2 Bobby Beaton (4pts). 3 Kevin Jolly, John Louis and Melvyn Taylor (12pts). 4 Chris Bevan and Des Wilson (6pts). 5 Michael Coles (5pts). 6 Soren Sjosten (4pts). 7 Ellesmere Port, 1972 (6pts). 8 Doug Wyer (4pts). 9 Ari Koponen and Trond Skretting (8pts). 10 Bert Harkins (4pts).

Dave Jessup has agreed to be our 'Main Man' in issue 20, so does anyone have any specific and interesting questions they would like me to put to DJ, besides the obvious? As well as the cruel luck he experienced in Wembley World Finals, we'll also be looking back over his long and illustrious career for club and country, including his spells with... Eastbourne Wembley Leicester Reading King's Lynn Wimbledon Mildenhall Perhaps because he wasn't as spectacular as PC, as headline-grabbing as Mike Lee or as aggressive as Kenny Carter, Dave's class tended to be underestimated by some? He was certainly superbly consistent for his clubs and England and one of the country's all-time greats. Can anyone really remember him getting out of shape or in trouble on the track? He always looked so neat, compact and steady, didn't he? And, of course, his brilliant passing manouevre to win THAT race in the 1974 WTC final at Katowice still rates as one of the greatest televised speedway races of all-time. Thanks for your input.... Tony Mac

Remember how courageous Peter Collins was when he rode in the 1977 World Final in Gothenburg...despite having to hobble around the pits on crutches and with his badly damaged leg full of stitches? PC had almost denied himself the chance to defend the world title when he ran into a open drain cover on the inner kerb at Belle Vue, just a week before the World Final in Sweden. In the next issue (20) of Backtrack, the former Belle Vue and England legend recalls the dramatic incident and the pain he went through to not only ride in Sweden, but finish second to Ivan Mauger in terrible track conditions. Do you have memories of watching that final and a remarkable performance by a great rider?

SPEEDWAY MUSEUM MEDIA DAY THE organisers behind the new Speedway Museum would like to confirm that next Monday’s gathering is for invited Press and Media only – and is NOT the official public opening. Former World Champion Michael Lee, Rye House promoter Len Silver and Rockets riders Chris Neath and Luke Bowen are scheduled to be interviewed by journalists and photographers who will assemble at Paradise Wildlife Park from 11am on April 23. But Speedway Museum committee member Linda Barclay says out: "We are anxious to point out that this is NOT a public opening – it is for media representatives only on this occasion."

You might find it easier and quicker to research the info you need from back issues of Speedway Star and Mail. And why has this been posted in the Backtrack sector of the site. Surely, it should be in Speedway History (if anywhere). Or, alternatively, you could do the research for whatever project you are working on yourself!

YOU COULD BE AMONG THE FIRST TO VIEW THE SPEEDWAY MUSEUM Supporters are being offered the chance to attend a VIP dinner at Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne on the evening of Friday, April 20, from 6.00pm. Tickets cost £45 each and in addition to a drinks reception and three-course meal, those in attendance will receive a memento of the evening and, best of all, be given a grand tour of the museum BEFORE it opens officially to the general public later in the month. A memorabilia auction and raffle will also be held at this function. Tickets are strictly limited, so if you would like to be a part of speedway history in the making, contact organisers George or Linda Barclay on 020 8592 3361. Naturally, all proceeds from this special event will go to the Speedway Museum Fund. George Barclay said: "This is a unique opportunity for genuine supporters to be among the first to step foot inside the museum. There are only 100 tickets on offer and we’ve already sold around half of those, so anyone interested should get in touch immediately to avoid disappointment. "As well as enjoying the dinner and museum, the price of the ticket also includes a tour of Paradise Wildlife Park, run by former speedway rider Pete Sampson. It’s a wonderful facility and a great experience in itself."

Commencing our fourth year of publication, issue 19 is out now and with an EXTRA EIGHT PAGES your favourite speedway magazine is packed with more nostalgia than ever before! MAIN MAN – SAM ERMOLENKO During a break in preparation for his recent farewell meeting, Sam Ermolenko gave one of his most candid interviews ever to Backtrack. From his early BL days at Poole in 1983 through his many years of loyal service to Wolverhampton, the former American star recalls the highs and lows of his spectacular career, on and off the track. Read why the Californian admits he was "lucky" to finally win the World Championship in 1993, where he thinks his main rival Hans Nielsen made a big mistake . . . and why he deliberately ‘threw’ a race to mess up Nielsen and avenge what he perceived to be some dodgy dealing by the Danes years earlier. Why ‘Sudden’ Sam wishes he could turn back the clock and do things differently at the 1985 Bradford World Final and why being "too eager to please others" ultimately cost him more individual glory. The terrible injuries that nearly killed him, his role in Wolves’ most successful era and what he might do next now that he has quit racing . . . this is probably the most revealing Sam Ermolenko interview you’ve ever read. Our lead columnist JOHN BERRY also runs his usual impartial rule over the colourful American. DEFUNCT TRACK: HACKNEY Another tear-jerker from the archives as we look back at the now sadly defunct East London track, where Hawks, Kestrels and Lions had their time on one of the fairest, most raceable raceways in the world. Bengt Jansson, Barry Thomas, Zenon Plech, Dave Morton, Andy Galvin, Mark Loram, it’s a three-page feast for those who couldn’t wait to ‘Make it a Date – Friday at Eight’. Plus more new exclusives with past favourites: THE GRAHAME BROTHERS To mark the re-opening of Birmingham, we visited two of the Brummies’ finest products – Alan and Andy Grahame, who remember their earliest shale days in the yellow-and-red, as well as their experiences at numerous other clubs, including Milton Keynes, Swindon and Oxford. Alan talks about the controversial incident with Chris Morton that left him with a broken leg. He also reveals his uplifting battle to conquer Hodgkins Disease and his courageous return to enjoy yet more success with Cradley Heathens. Andy reflects on the 1982 British Final, the greatest night of his career when he and his elder brother dominated the plum Coventry meeting. We also catch up with youngest brother John and find out what all the Grahames are doing today. GRAHAM DRURY Still on the Birmingham revival theme, we talk in-depth to the man leading the Brummies’ comeback at Perry Barr. Graham looks back at his racing days with Ellesmere Port, Crewe, Hull and Long Eaton and why his court case against Oxford won him a hefty pay-out and led to a new career. Also, why John Berry doesn’t feature on Graham’s Christmas card list… ALAN MOLYNEUX One of the unsung heroes of Coventry’s back-to-back championship-winning teams of the late 70s, Alan explains the importance of his formidable partnership with Brandon legend Ole Olsen and what two spells with his home-town team Long Eaton did for his career. And why it went wrong for him in his one season with Sheffield. MIKE KEEN Another who was never an outstanding star, but a dependable middle order man nevertheless. Mike gave Swindon many years loyal service but he reveals why his well-earned testimonial turned out to be a wash-out in more ways than one. IPSWICH 16-LAPPER Starting a new series of ‘Bright Ideas’, we take a close look at the success of the marathon 16-lap race at Ipswich, where former Witches boss John Berry explains the background to this popular annual event that first caught the fans’ imagination in 1979. IN MY DAY – PETER THOROGOOD One of the most popular promoters of his time, Peter Thorogood reveals the good, the bad and the ugly from his managerial days with Rayleigh, Crayford and Arena Essex. Plus…the final round of our MASTERMIND QUIZ and SPEEDWAY MUSEUM update. Colour team photos of BELLE VUE (1976) and EDINBURGH (1981). _________________________________________ What, you still haven't subscribed? It still costs only £16 a year (for six issues), mailed direct to your door as soon as it's printed. Subscribe online at http://www.retro-speedway.com

Malcolm Simmons and Eric Boocock will be in the main reception area of the Coventry Hilton from around 3pm until 5.30pm on Saturday, signing copies of their respective autobiographies. Simmo: The Whole Truth has nearly sold out, while it's a good opportunity for Southern or Midlands-based people to get Booey to sign his book for you. We will also be selling copies of Backtrack, VSM, our other books, plus stacks of great, nostalgic colour and black-and-white A4 size pictures of riders and teams from previous eras.

Issue 56 - Volume 14 No.4 - Winter 2007 RAY WILSON History-making England star who burst onto the scene at Long Eaton in the 60s. Here, Ray looks back on his early racing days for the Archers and his country, as well as the men who helped him reach the top, including his father Ron, who rode for Leicester Hunters and Oxford before becoming promoter at Blackbird Road. Ray talks about his schoolboy idols and how one of them, Ken McKinlay, taught him things in the workshop that would stand him in very good stead throughout his illustrious career as one of England’s all-time greats and a Leicester Lions legend. He reveals that only rider who, he believes, deliberately set out to ‘do’ him on the track. If you want to follow the Ray Wilson story beyond the 60s period covered in VSM, may we recommend you take a look at our sister publication Backtrack. In the new issue 18, Ray recalls in another in-depth interview his greatest hour when he became known as ‘World Cup Willie’, won three consecutive World Team Cup gold medals and the World Pairs Championship, plus much more… BRIAN BRETT We pay tribute to the one of the most popular racers from the 60s who sadly died recently. With the help of his former Swindon team-mate Mike Broadbank, we look back at Bretty’s days with the Robins, Newcastle and Cradley Heath before he took early retirement from the sport. WALLY GREEN Another old favourite who has now passed on to that speedway track in the sky, we remember the reluctant hero who came within a whisker of the world title, treasured the honour of leading his country and became a legend at West Ham. MAX GROSSKREUTZ Australian ace Max is the latest in our popular leg-trailers series. This is one for those who admired the spectacular exploits of the former pre-war Belle Vue and Australian star who went on to manage at Norwich. ERIC LANGTON We reveal news of the Eric Langton Story – a cracking DVD that includes his last major interview before his death. Are more revelations about THAT World Final run-off against Lionel Van Praag from 1936 on their way…? OVE FUNDIN When the five times World Champion was made a Freeman of Norwich . . . and grabbed another slice of sporting history. JACK WINSTANLEY A ‘good journeyman’, he spent 22 years racing for many tracks. John Hyam gives an insight into into the career of one of speedway’s most dedicated performers . . . BIRMINGHAM REVIVAL As the sport gets ready to welcome back the Brummies in 2007, Eric Linden remembers former glory days at Birmingham and the impact of Graham Warren in particular. SPEEDWAY MUSEUM As building work gathers pace at Paradise Wildlife Park in readiness for the planned late April opening, there’s news from Australia that trophies won by the late, great Aussie World Champion of 1938, BLUEY WILKINSON, could soon be on display in the new Hertfordshire museum. Also, a racejacket that once belonged to one of the tragic victims of the 1970 Lokeren road crash. HAVE BIKE, WILL TRAVEL Car boots and trailers . . . how riders got from A to B light years before the luxury Motorhomes of today! KIWI REUNION Ian Hoskins has the words and Bob Andrews the pictures from the latest reunion of New Zealand stars of the past. Plus the regulars . . . YOUR LETTERS & COLLECTING.

Correct!

Sorry for not responding sooner, but this thread has only just come to my attention. I'm pleased to confirm that I'm now in the process of writing The Kenny Carter Story and it will DEFINITELY be on sale this June, with full details to follow in Backtrack before publication date. I have already contacted and spoken to many people – including ex-riders, rivals, promoters and close friends of Kenny's – to get their wide-ranging views of him. Astonishing isn't really the word for it. As usual, you will be able to order this book direct from us, at Retro Speedway, for £15.99 and post-free in the UK. Amazon may seem a cheaper option, but their sale price is invariably topped up with P&P, so you're usually no better off. And besides, by buying the book direct from us, you will also be contributing to the donation we will make from every copy sold to Kenny and Pam's two children, Kelly-Marie and Malcolm who deserve something positive to come from this very sad story.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THOSE ***@!!! PRINTERS! Before anybody else tells us, it's come to our attention that there is a bad printing error on page 28 of this issue, where the intro to the Bernie Collier interview from page 26 has, inexplicably, been repeated on page 28. We have checked our original file and the interview flows as it should do, but something has gone horribly wrong between here and the printers. We can only apologise for this and say that we will include the 'missing' half page of the Collier interview in our next issue, whcih will be out relatively shortly in early March. In the meantime, for those who can't wait that long, here (below) is the missing text that should have appeared on the left-hand side of p28... Sincere apologies for having spoiled your enjoyment. I'm seething, but I suppose worse things happen at sea (and printers)! ________________________ didn’t ride because he had booked his flight back to Australia and I had a nightmare because I’d twisted my knee. If that hadn’t happened to me, I’m sure we would have won the league.” Throughout his career Bernie doubled up with parent club Belle Vue in the top flight, and he was proud to be associated with the famous Aces. “Hyde Road was the racing track,” he said. “I rode in the very last meeting there and that was very sad. I’d started my career there – it was heartbreaking knowing that the bulldozers were more or less waiting in the car park to knock the place down. “I enjoyed working with Eric Boocock at Belle Vue. He looked after me and, in fact, he got me a job in the circus during the close season. I was on the high wire! No, not really, I used to operate one of the spotlights. “Unfortunately Booey didn’t get on with Stuart Bamforth so he left almost straight after Bammy arrived. That was a shame but I was a good friend of Stuart’s.” Bernie was never a superstar during his riding days, but he was a dedicated team man who always gave 100 per cent. But his battles on the track paled into significance compared to the one he found himself fighting in retirement. SERIOUSLY ILL “I was seriously ill about 10 years ago," he explained. “I had a brain abscess. I hadn’t felt well for a while and it started to get worse. “I used to get a paper every day but it got to the stage where they were all stacked up because I didn’t have the concentration to read them. “One day a friend came round, took one look at me and phoned an ambulance. When I got to hospital they asked me to put my fingers to my nose but I was nowhere near – my co-ordination had gone. “I had a scan and they told me it was bad news. They told me they had found a growth and I asked them how big it was. They said it didn’t matter how big it was, but where it was. “Eventually I got them to tell me. They said it was the size of a nectarine. I said what’s one of those?! “It was full of poison and they told me that, if it burst, I would probably die of meningitis. The pain was unbelievable and I was being sick all the time. Bright lights made it 10 times worse.” A scan after his first brain op revealed that not all the abscess had been taken away, so surgeons had to open him up again – this time at the back of his skull, a particularly tricky place to perform surgery. Even then there was more to come. The abscess shifted and that meant a third visit to the operating table was necessary. The surgery that finally did the trick involved surgeons drilling into the back of Bernie’s head – while he was still awake! You’d better skip this paragraph if you’re squeamish, because Bernie explained: “I could hear a crunching sound at the back of my skull where the drill was going in. “I was talking to people all the way through and I wasn’t even frightened, although I got a bit shaky when the surgeon said ‘we’re nearly there’.” This time the op was a total success and the poison was drained away. “I’d never felt pain like it,” admitted Bernie, "but about an hour after the operation I was up and walking around." Soon afterwards Bernie was given the all-clear, although he explained: “They told me there was a 20 per cent chance I’d be epileptic. “Unfortunately I am, which is a bit of a bastard! I’ve had seizures and I’ll have to take tablets for the rest of my life. “I was in hospital for two months and it was a couple of years before I was right again. But, as Mike Spink said to me, I always was daft! “And I’m still here! All my arms and legs work and I’m happy as I am. I can’t work but I just get on with it. I’ve got a good standard of life and I look forward to the future. “I see people in wheelchairs and hear about people who have died and I think ‘that could have been me’. I’m the luckiest lad.”

Glad you enjoyed the interview with Ray - a genuine English speedway legend in a world where the term is thrown around too easily. For those whose copy hasn't yet arrived, and for non-subscribers who don't know what they're missing(!), here's an outline of what Issue 18 has to offer... MAIN MAN – RAY WILSON He was England’s first World Cup hero, former national captain and the pride of Leicester Lions. Now Ray Wilson looks back on the highlights of his illustrious career at the top in this exclusive interview with Ray from his Leicester home. Ray, 60, reflects on what he calls the "defining meeting of his career", when he was called up as the unsung member of Great Britain’s 1971 World Team Cup squad and ended that famous day in Poland as a national hero and the enduring nickname of ‘World Cup Willie’. But for a rider of his class, Ray admits he should have done better than a best-ever fourth in the World Final. Read why the memory of Gothenburg ’71 still troubles him. He looks back at what it meant to be the home-town hero at Leicester, where he skippered the team for most of his nine seasons at Blackbird Road. What were those hard-fought, Leicester-Coventry derby matches really like from the riders’ perspective? Ray talks candidly, too, about the problems caused by working for his father, promoter Ron Wilson, and how their relationship sometimes became strained. Ray also reveals why he finally decided to retire from racing after a bad crash while riding for Birmingham in 1979. Our lead columnist JOHN BERRY also gives us his take on the fiercely patriotic and loyal Ray Wilson and gives his reasons why he rated him a genuine superstar of his generation. If you can’t get enough of Ray Wilson, you may also like to check out our sister publication, Vintage Speedway Magazine, where ‘Willie’ talks about his early racing days with Long Eaton in the 60s, as well as the people who helped him to reach the top. DEFUNCT TRACK: LONG EATON The Nottinghamshire track has endured a chequered existence and in this issue we re-visit what was once home to the Archers, Outlaws and Invaders from the early 70s until the track’s unfortunate closure in 1997. Geoff Bouchard, Alan Molyneux, Dave Perks, Richard Hellsen, Jan Staechmann and Carl Stonehewer are all covered and if you can bare it, there are pictures of the derelict Station Road site today. Plus exclusive, new interviews with: JAN ANDERSSON The cool Swede would have been World Champion had the title ever been officially raced for indoors, either on ice or concrete, but here we must also recognise that Jan was a big star with both Swindon and, in particular, Reading, where he spent his British League days and won a championship medal in 1980. On the international scene, Jan reached his peak when his country was in the doldrums in the early 80s – and, as he explains, the national federation did little to help the cause. TOMMY JOHANSSON Another former Swedish international star who sparkled then fizzled out too quickly in the years before Jan Andersson emerged, Tommy looks back on his time with Newport, Ipswich and Hull in the BL and wonders what might have been. Especially if a wild Russian hadn’t managed to almost wipe him out in the 1974 World Final on home soil after he had already beaten Ivan Mauger! Tommy’s career was seriously disrupted by a mystery illness that, today, he knows was stress-related. BERNIE COLLIER Talking of illness, former Middlesbrough and Newcastle favourite Bernie Collier reveals why he considers himself lucky to be alive. The 1981 National League title winner with the Tigers from Teesside explains about the serious illness that has left him with epilepsy and unable to work. JERZY SZCZAKIEL Almost everybody said he was lucky to the 1973 World Championship from Ivan Mauger after the mighty Kiwi crashed in the decisive run-off at Katowice. . . and now Jerzy himself has admitted to Backtrack: "I was lucky on that day." Read what Poland’s only individual World Champion says about the greatest day in his life and what happened to him afterwards. BOB YOUNG The tall Aussie, who started at second division Reading and became a firm favourite and No.1 points scorer for Rayleigh Rockets, on why he regrets having started speedway so late. ALAN KNAPKIN He once rubbed shoulders with Manchester United’s Busby Babes, went on to become a speedway star at Bradford and then experienced tough times on the other side of the fence as promoter. His riders even went on strike! TONY FEATHERSTONE Whatever happened to this lively East Anglian character who hit the heights with Boston, Bradford and Peterborough before less successful spells with Hackney, Crayford, Milton Keynes and Long Eaton. IN MY DAY: MARTIN ROGERS The former Leicester, King’s Lynn and Peterborough boss is first under the spotlight in our new series where a former promoter looks back on his time in the sport. Who was the big name star he most regrets not signing? Plus… Tribute to the late JOHN SMITH, EASTBOURNE DVD review and the latest questions in our MASTERMIND quiz. And colour pictures of: Barry Thomas, Lance King, Troy Butler and John Barker.

Simmo at High Beech reunion FORMER World No.2 Malcolm Simmons is the star guest to mark the 79th anniversary of speedway racing at High Beech on Sunday, February 18. ‘Super Simmo’, who won four World Team Cup gold medals and three in the World Pairs Championship, will be appearing at the King’s Oak Hotel in Epping Forest . . . where speedway first burst into in Britain on a cinder track way back in 1928. "My career started quite a bit after that historic meeting," laughs Malcolm, who was 60-years-old in March, "but I’ve been riding motor bikes since the early 60s and I still ride fairly regularly in trials events for fun on Sundays." Simmo started his speedway career with Hackney in 1963 before winning the British League and Cup double with West Ham in 1965. After becoming an England star with King’s Lynn and Poole in the 70s, he also starred for Wimbledon in the mid-80s, had a second stint with Hackney and ended his long and illustrious shale racing career with Arena Essex in 1989. Captain of England during the country’s most dominant period in the 70s, Simmons went close to winning the individual speedway World Championship in 1976, but was pipped to the title by Peter Collins. He has spent the last year writing his hugely controversial autobiography, Simmo: The Whole Truth, and he will be signing copies of his warts ‘n’ all memoirs – including revelations about race-fixing and drugs in speedway – at the High Beech event. It’s a traditional meeting place for speedway fans from all over the country, who gather to enjoy the collectors’ fair with stands selling memorabilia and souvenirs, plus displays of vintage bikes and the chance to meet former greats like Malcolm Simmons and 1980 World Champion Michael Lee, who will also hopefully be making a personal appearance. The High Beech reunion gets underway at 11am, continues until 4pm and a large proportion of proceeds from the day will go to boost the fund for the first Speedway Museum that is now being built at Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne and is set to open at the end of April. Simmo is expected to be in attendance and signing from our Retro Speedway stand between 11.30am and 1pm.

Could YOU manage the Speedway Museum? THE new Speedway Museum is looking for a Manager to help run it on a day-to-day basis at Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire from the opening date in late April. The ideal candidate will be confident, presentable and possess a sound all round knowledge of speedway, have good communication skills and be able to organise and manage a team of volunteers. The manager will have responsibility for the sale of merchandise and publications, so previous retail experience would also be useful, although training will be provided. Basic working hours throughout the summer (speedway) season will be 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, plus occasional weekends. In the winter (November-February) the manager would be employed part-time. Salary negotiable. Candidates should apply in writing to: George Barclay, 41 Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, Essex, RM8 2JD. Or for further info, phone George on 020 8592 3361. George said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who has a sound knowledge of speedway history, who is possibly retired but would still like to enjoy an important role with a modest income attached. In view of the location, the manager would need his or her own transport. "The Speedway Museum committee members will be available to help with the running of the building on occasional weekends, but it’s been decided that it would be best to appoint a manager to be there on a more permanent basis, especially throughout the summer months."

Just to confirm, for those who are interested, the annual collectors' fayre will be held at High Beech on Sunday, February 18, from 11.00am. For those who don't know the traditional venue, it's the Kings Oak Hotel (pub) in deepest Epping Forest, just a skid away from where the first-ever (it's claimed!) British speedway meeting was staged in February 1928. Food and drink refreshments are available and admission to the actual speedway collectors' fayre is ABSOLUTELY FREE. There will be the usual nostalgic displays of vintage bikes and racejackets (courtesy of Terry Stone), plus plenty of stalls flogging memorabilia - old progs, pictures, books, etc. Linda and George Barclay on the Speedway Museum stand will be selling their neat new fleeces and polo shirts with the distinctive Peter Craven action logo embroidered on them. The organisers are expecting one or two special guests to appear - and you are certain to bump into numerous former riders in any event. Almost forgot, the latest issues of Backtrack (issue 18) and Vintage Speedway Magazine (No.56) will also be out by then! We'll also be selling our full range of books, plus coasters and (probably) our new t-shirts with a 70s/80s theme to them. On our Retro Speedway stand, we will also be selling the brilliant new DVD from Australia – LIONEL VAN PRAAG – FLYING DUTCHMAN. It's the first opportunity anybody in the UK will have to buy this excellent tribute to the sport's first World Champion. The Speedway Museum also benefits from the stall holders who attend, so just by turning up and supporting the event you are, indirectly, making a valuable contribution to the Speedway Museum fund, too. So hands up who, among Forum members, is going to make the trip on Sunday, Feb 18?

So what's the wavelength frequency for those of us who don't know it?

Jim, Good selection of Ove, Peter Craven and Mirac thumbnail pics heading your way very soon by PM...