TonyMac

And Tiger Beech and Red Ott!

Try... Jessup, Knudsen, G. Kennett, Sanders, Doncaster, Tatum, Jan O. Pedersen, Bengt Jansson, Ermolenko, Ray Wilson, Ashby, Briggo, Sigalos, Plech.

Please spare us, unless you want this to turn into a cure for insomnia. And, needless to say, the 'we' used before the start of the self-serving, so-called 'interview' in question on this thread was most definitely NOT VSM.

Christ, this is desperate stuff, eh? Herbie, Brian and whoever....please go and hijack another more appropriate forum thread somewhere else and leave the Backtrack section of this site to matters concerning the magazine and our era (if you haven't worked it out yet, that's the 70s & 80s). Thank you. Tony Mac

Well said, Dekker. For a minute there, I thought this was a speedway forum. That's decided it then...no more music (or SPs) in Backtrack!

Well said, Tsunami. And thanks, Jim, for stirring me into action... Jim, your post is anything but respectful to Booey who is, unquestionably, one of the greatest servants to British speedway throughout his 40-plus years in the sport. He's done the lot and the only role he hasn't undertaken in all those years of passionate devotion to the sport is BSPA chairman. For my money, Eric should have been awarded at least an MBE for his servives to speedway some time ago – and he's still in love with the sport today, assisting young Josh Auty at Scunthorpe. All this comes shining through in this excellent book about a man who clearly cares more about speedway than most. Apart from winning the British Championship in 1974 (at a time when it was a damn sight harder to win than it is now), he was capped more than 50 times for England and rode regularly for GB when greats like Mauger and Briggo were also included in the Test team. But perhaps what sets Booey apart from much of the rest of his era is that, for 10 consecutive seasons, he averaged at least 10 points a match for Halifax and was the top Englishman at one time. No other Englishmen has achieved this remarkable feat – not to mention the loyalty to one club. And you'll see from reading Peter Collins' foreword to the book just how important a role Eric played in the development of PC as a rider and, in fact, the invaluable help Booey gave him in the pits on the day he won the World Final in 1976. And the tremendous efforts he personally made to help Peter retain the title in '77, when he had to settle for second after suffering his bad leg injury. We could talk about his managerial success at Belle Vue, where Alan Wilkie's injury cost Aces the league title in 1978 and they finished runners-up on another two occasions, and the treble win at Hull two years ago and so on and so on. Oh yeah, and he managed the small feat (with Ian Thomas) of winning the 1980 World Championship grand slam with England (don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen again). Finally, as Tsunami points out, Eric Boocock is also a genuine, honest guy with stacks of amusing anecdotes to tell. So why shouldn't he have the chance to tell his story just like anybody else? For your info, Eric didn't approach us about a book – he's too modest for that. We recognise what he has done for the sport over a very long period and decided to put the idea of a book to him. The book is great value at 256 pages, contains more than 200 pictures (many from Booey's own collection) and is well written in collobaration with a respected and pukka speedway and sports journalist in Martin Neal, who writes for Backtrack and the Middlesbrough Evening Gazzette. As for Ivan, you're quite right Jim...a follow up to Triple Crown Plus is long overdue and, in fact, Ivan told us last week that he is beginning work on his next book now, with either a 2007 or 08 launch. In the meantime, why not read what a real character like Eric Boocock has to say, from both sides of the speedway fence...

ERIC BOOCOCK is the latest big-name star from the past who has put his life story into print. BOOEY – AROUND IN CIRCLES (15.99 post-free, direct from Retro Speedway (see link on this site) – will be launched on Sunday week. Booey will be signing copies of his new book at the World Speedway Riders’ Association’s Northern Lunch, to be held at The Wool Merchants Hotel, Halifax on Sunday, August 13 (1pm start). Tickets for the lunch, priced £14 each, can be ordered from: Terry Hardaker, 39 Ashfield Drive, Ovenden, Halifax, West Yorks, HX3 5PQ. Tel: 07886 323 451. If you don't wish to attend the luncheon, but still want to buy the book there that day and get Eric to sign it, why not turn up AFTERWARDS – at around 3pm. Copies will be available from that time ...and Booey will be delighted to sign it for you there and then! If you can't make it to Halifax, don't worry...just order a SIGNED COPY direct from Retro Speedway.

KTL, I thought I understood our readers, and that they were paragons of good taste, but you have proved me hopelessly wrong! And there was me thinking that we'd lose half our readership at the mere inclusion of a Sex Pistols pic! If that was a 'classic' single, then God Help Us, let alone The Queen! I guess I was old well before my time. Still, as you say, it's all about opinions. And you are, of course, entitled to yours. I promise we'll never say a detrimental word against the SPs again. Now where are my Sinatra LPs....

As Stan Stevens (briefly a Bomber in 1971) told us in the latest issue of VSM, “people kept on about the concrete fence, but I just stayed away from it!" I'd never heard of that Belle Vue rider getting hurt at Romford - the Czechs were of course notorious visitors but one or two of the Rayleigh boys also got hurt there - Alan Jackson for one. I didn't start going to watch until 1971, the last of their three seasons. Kevin Holden, Phil Woodcock, Bob Coles and Charlie Benham...absolute legends! I once saw the Aussie Bruce Edgar buying a paper in WH Smith's in the town – it was the only time I'd seen him upright for longer than 30 seconds! Long after the stadium was demolished, I used to live just two roads away from Brooklands and it was always difficult to turn the corner and see that horrible housing estate where the Thursday night mecca once stood. It took just one local resident – a Mr Stretch - to get the track shut down on noise grounds...and then he buggered off out of the area within a tear or two. The dog track is a complete non-starter, though, and yes, a number of people have considered it. It's completely hemmed in by houses. But if anyone could find a new site relatively close to the town, with its main rail connections from London Liverpool St. to Southend, it would stand a good chance of being a success. When I win the lottery, the Bombers will be back ... in the Elite League! And with an air fence, naturally! Interestingly, in the latest Backtrack, Lew Stripp comments that Romford was the most intimidating place for him to referee, because of the close proximity of the crowd to the ref's box, low down by the starting gate. Must go now, otherwise I'll feel the urge to write a book about the Bombers era...

Issue 54 of VSM is out now and includes... Eric Boocock To mark the 40th anniversary of Halifax’s triple success in 1966 and the publication of his fascinating new book, Around in Circles, England star Booey looks back on some of his early racing days with Middlesbrough and then the Dukes. Stan Stevens In part 2 of our candid exclusive, Lokeren survivor Stan recalls the full horror of the accident that killed five of his British speedway colleagues and sent the sport reeling in 1970. Stan, who astonishingly returned to the saddle the following season, provides the most gripping account of the Lokeren disaster ever published. Malcolm Simmons As his new autobiography continues to provoke great debate throughout the sport, Super Simmo reflects on his early league days at Hackney and West Ham. Aub Lawson The legendary Aussie is the latest in our series of spectacular leg-trailers, one who quickly adapted to the foot-forward style too. Bluey Wilkinson He only had one year in charge at Sheffield, but former Tigers promoter Ray Glover explains why the former World Champion made such a big impression there in 1939. Carlo Biagi MBE Tribute to the Miracle Doc. Attendances – do they always add up? We ask if crowd figures were all they seemed to be. Dave Collins Part one of an interview with a Brit who emigrated to South Africa and made a success of himself. St Austell Reviewing another historic book on defunct tracks. Speedway Museum More great developments on the fund-raising front and how runaway Grand Prix leader Jason Crump has given the Speedway Museum a massive boost. Plus…Eric Linden, Ian Hoskins, your letters and much more…

Issue 15 will be posted out this weekend...and it includes a brighter look of eight pages in full colour, plus other new features. The cover price increases by 50p, but NOT to subscribers! It will continue to cost only £16 for a year's subscription in the UK, £22 in Europe and £30 Rest of World. Contents of issue 15 include: TOMMY JANSSON, including eyewitness accounts from those who were at the track in Stockholm that fateful night in May 1976, including the other rider involved - Lars Jansson. Quotes too from Anders Michanek, Bengt Jansson – and Tommy's parents, Joel and Inga-Lill, and his brother Bosse. Peter Collins also gives his views on Tommy. It's the first of our new, regular 'Lest We Forget' features on riders who paid the ultimate price. Also in this time... DEFUNCT TRACKS: LEICESTER ERIC BOOCOCK JAN STAECHMANN SCOTT AUTREY/AMA DISPUTE PAUL TYRER TERRY STONE LEW STRIPP – the ref in charge of the infamous 1985 British Final. Should it have gone ahead? GRAHAME DAWSON REMEMBER...1977? ...and enter our new MASTERMIND QUIZ. How much do you REALLY know about speedway in the 70s & 80s???? If you're smart, you could win two tickets to the 2007 British GP... BACK COVER COLOUR – PENHALL, GUNDERSEN & NIELSEN __________ So why pay 50p more than you need to at the track? Sign up now, save yourself £5 on the new cover price and have every copy of Backtrack delivered direct to your door BEFORE it goes on sale at tracks. You know it makes sense! Cheers, Tony Mac

Thanks for asking, Spin King. Issue 15 will be posted out next weekend...and it includes a brighter look of eight pages in full colour, plus other new features. The cover price increases by 50p, but NOT to subscribers! It will continue to cost only £16 for a year's subscription in the UK, £22 in Europe and £30 Rest of World. Contents of issue 15 include: TOMMY JANSSON, including eyewitness accounts from those who were at the track in Stockholm that fateful night in May 1976, including the other rider involved - Lars Jansson. Quotes too from Anders Michanek, Bengt Jansson – and Tommy's parents, Joel and Inga-Lill, and his brother Bosse. Peter Collins also gives his views on Tommy. It's the first of our new, regular 'Lest We Forget' features on riders who paid the ultimate price. Also in this time... DEFUNCT TRACKS: LEICESTER ERIC BOOCOCK JAN STAECHMANN SCOTT AUTREY/AMA DISPUTE PAUL TYRER TERRY STONE LEW STRIPP – the ref in charge of the infamous 1985 British Final. Should it have gone ahead? GRAHAME DAWSON REMEMBER...1977? ...and enter our new MASTERMIND QUIZ. How much do you REALLY know about speedway in the 70s & 80s???? If you're smart, you could win two tickets to the 2007 British GP... BACK COVER COLOUR – PENHALL, GUNDERSEN & NIELSEN __________ So why pay 50p more than you need to at the track? Sign up now, save yourself £5 on the new cover price and have every copy of Backtrack delivered direct to your door BEFORE it goes on sale at tracks. You know it makes sense! Tony Mac

In the next issue, we wil be starting a regular, new series on riders who gave their lives to the sport. Tommy Jansson (whose biography we are currently in the process of producing, with a late July on-sale date) wil be the first rider featured. We would like to accompany our story on Tommy with memories and stories about him from our readers, so please post anything of relevant interest here, or, if you'd prefer, send me a private message. Ideally, though, I'd like to use the full names of the posters (with their city or town location) in the actual issue of Backtrack. For those who might not know all of Tommy's basic career details, he rode briefly for Wembley Lions in 1971 before joining Wimbledon in 1972. After all the commuting Swedes were banned from the BL in 1974, TJ returned to Plough Lane for the 1975 and '76 seasons. In his native Sweden, Tommy rode only for Smederna, his home-town team from Eskilstuna, that was run by his father, Joel, and where his elder brother Bo also rode in the early 70s. He was tragically killed during a World Championship qualifier in Stockholm on May 20, 1976 after tangling with Bengt Jansson's brother, Lars. Perhaps you knew Tommy personally, or have a special personal memory of him that you think might be worth sharing with other readers? Or maybe just a view of his all too brief career? Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to contribute to our special Tommy Jansson memorial feature.

One of our subscribers to VSM and Backtrack is going to have some replica Norwich racejackets made up and wants to know this: WHAT COLOUR WERE THE NUMBERS ON THE BACK OF THE RIDERS' BODY COLOURS? Presumably, they were yellow, to match the star on the front? Then again, it's possible they were white! Can someone out there please confirm asap. Cheers, Tony Mac

Now well into our third year of publication, issue 14 is packed with another batch of exclusives, including what must be the most explosive and controversial speedway interview ever published... Main Man – Malcolm Simmons To coincide with the launch of his new book, Simmo: The Whole Truth, which has set speedway buzzing, we talk in-depth to Malcolm Simmons. The former World No.2, British Champion, four times World Team Cup winner and three times World Pairs champion reveals all about his turbulent career spanning three decades and more. Super Simmo, a legend at Poole, talks for the first time about the incident that led to his sacking from the south coast track in 1980, as well as lifting the lid on the infamous race-fixing scandal of 1984 when he admits he deliberately didn’t try to win a vital World Championship heat. Malc also confesses the shame he still feels at ‘throwing’ four consecutive races during his season with Swindon in 1985. He recalls the humiliation of the six months he spent in prison which damaged the early part of his spell with King’s Lynn; why he disliked the fact that some of the American riders were involved in drugs; why he really lost the 1976 World Final to England rival Peter Collins; how he found National League racing with Hackney "easy" before injury halted his illustrious career; his acrimonious departure from King’s Lynn in 1988 after he was accused of fraud and police were called. All this, and much, much more, in our sensational interview that will send reverberations throughout the sport. As Malcolm tells Backtrack, "I understand that what I’ve said in the book will no go down very well with a lot of people," he continues, "but that’s the way it was back then. I’m not saying speedway was or is corrupt – far from it – but I want to tell my story the way it is. Other people might wish to brush these things under the carpet but I’m not one of them. It happened. Fact." After reading Simmo’s ground-breaking interview in the latest Backtrack, you will find his compelling new book irresistible . . . But it’s not all Simmo. For your enjoyment, we also present… Bernt Persson A cracking, new exclusive with the former Swedish star and World No.2, who reflects on his successful British League days at Cradley Heath, where he remains an all-time legend among supporters of the sadly defunct Heathens. Bernie recalls the pain of losing the 1972 World Final run-off to Ivan Mauger and his previous high profile clash with the Kiwi legend at the 1967 final, also at Wembley. Dave Morton Injuries stopped the elder Morton brother from reaching the very top and reaching a World Final, but in this interview we look back with Dave on his succesful career at Crewe, where he wrote himself into the Guinness Book of Records, and Hackney, as well as his spells with Wolves, Sheffield, Ellesmere Port and Newcastle. Readers may be surprised to find out his individual highlight. Bob Garrad One of the all-time greats of National League, Bobby G talks about his rise to stardom with Rye House in the 70s and why he chose Hackney, and, not Leicester, when he tried his luck in the top flight. Graham Miles The latest in our series of interviews with wheelchair victims, the former Canterbury and Hackney rider vividly recalls the crash, at Waterden Road in 1971, that cost him the use of his legs . . . and how he has reinvented himself as a cabaret artist! Ken Eyre Long-term Belle Vue fans will readily recall the distinctive bespectacled Ken, one of the unsung heroes of the dominant Aces team of the early 70s. Ken moved to Wolves and reveals why he decided to quit racing so early in his career. Who’s to Blame? A controversial talking point from our top columnist John Berry, who examines what went wrong in British speedway after the golden era of the 70s. Remember…1985? Looking back in detail at the ’85 season, when the World Final came to Bradford, Oxford were BL champions and Ellesmere Port were kings of the NL, although their title win was overshadowed by the serious injury to Joe Owen. _________________ It's Father's Day on June 18, so why not treat your Dad (or yourself!) with a subscription to Backtrack (still only £16 a year in the UK), or a copy of the new Simmo book. Got to http://www.retro-speedway.com and filll in the online form or phone our credit/debit card hotline on 01708 734 502. Cheers, Tony Mac

You're entitled to your opinion, of course, and Simmo himself says that not everyone will like or approve of what he's written in his book, but just bear this comparison in mind... Diego Maradona is remembered as a cheat, for deliberately handling the ball into the England net in the 1986 World Cup...but he is also remembered as one of the greatest-ever footballers on the planet. All views and feedback on the book are very interesting and appreciated, whether it's positive or negative, so please keep it coming.

For anybody else keen to read Simmo's introduction to his book that we've published, visit our website at www.retro-speedway.com. The following link should take you straight there... http://www.retro-speedway.com/readers_offe...immointro.shtml The number of pre-orders we've received for Malcolm's ground-breaking book has been phenomenal. It has got everybody talking. Just to confirm that we will be launching SIMMO: THE WHOLE TRUTH at the collectors' fayre at Cardiff this Saturday from around 10.30am. Simmo will be there in person to sign every copy. For those who have pre-order signed copies, these will be despatched tonight. Issue 14 of Backtrack also arrives back from the printer this evening and will be sent out immediately. Thanks for your patience! Cheers, Tony Mac

That's because he badly dislocated his shoulder in the second half the previous week and was unable to ride beyond those first couple of laps. It's all in his book, which will be on sale for the first time at Cardiff on June 3, or available to pre-order in the next issue of Backtrack magazine. I've just finished taping the last few chapters with Simmo at his house today and, take it from me, while a lot of people won't necessary like what they read, they'll still be eager (anxious?) to see what he has to say on all the good and bad aspects of his long career as rider, promoter and team manager. The brutal honesty will astound people...

Andy, Thanks for responding positively and for your constructive comments. Thanks too to the rest for your kind comments. I'm sorry if I came across as touchy but having put so much into launching and producing Backtrack, I'm naturally disappointed if our readers have any gripes - and we like to address them. It's not easy to please all the people all the time and, for instance, if you don't happen to like one of the riders we feature, then what can we do? We just want to know what you like and dislike - in fact, the next issue will include a readers' survey which we hope our subscribers will complete and return to us. One change we are considering is to reduce the 'main man' feature, probably to no more than 5 pages, as this has taken up a large per centage of the overall content in previous issues. It is probably justified where genuine legend like Mauger and PC is concerned, but 10 pages on one rider is possibly pushing it too much and I acknowledge this. Having said that, the Simmo interview for issue 14 will be like no other EVER PUBLISHED - hard-hitting, highly contentious and totally absorbing. Watch out for it, because it will have everyone in speedway talking, as will his forthcoming book that we are publishing...(OK, it's a blatant plug, but I'm sure you will want to read what Malcolm has to say in SIMMO: THE WHOLE TRUTH, on sale at the start of June.

Care to elaborate on your useful throwaway line? Criticism is always accepted, but constructive criticism is always better and more likely to achieve a satisfactory result (assuming you would actually want us to improve, as opposed to lose readers who might think your comment representative of the majority?) So where did we go wrong with issue 13? If you share your thoughts with us, we might be able to re-attain the high standards you expect. Sorry to sound so sensitive, but I can't stand it when people hide behind anonymity when criticising others and anything.

Looking ahead to just some of the delights lined up for our next issue which we're working on now.... MALCOLM SIMMONS - Main Man BERNIE PERSSON (as long as our man in Sweden can get to him in time for our mid-May publication date!) BOBBY GARRAD DAVE MORTON GRAHAM MILES KEN EYRE Etc, etc, etc Would be good to hear of some of your favourite memories of these guys... PS - For the smart wotsits among you, 'Etc, etc, etc' was NOT one of those here today-gone tomorrow foreigners tried by Birmingham or Halifax in the late 70s/early 80s either! OK, before you get heavy, I admit, we gave two rides to Timmy Joe Sheppard! Some you win, some you lose.

Tel Ted it's about time he subscribed himself, especially after that pic in the new issue of him chasing Steve Lawson!

At the start of our third year of publication, issue 13 is typically packed with lots of new exclusive interviews and special features to evoke great memories of speedway’s last golden era… Main Man – Chris Morton We visit the Cheshire home of one of the sport’s greatest thrill merchants to find out the races that gave him the greatest pleasure and why he couldn’t gate very well when it really mattered on World Final night. Belle Vue and England legend Mort shows around his loft to reveal a couple of motivational factors from his early days with the Aces. He talks candidly about why he felt he needed to get away from the Manchester club in 1980, only to stay and enjoy his best-ever season. He laments the passing of Hyde Road, explains why he had to change his riding style and reveals what made him make a comeback for one last hurrah with Sheffield in 1993. Finally, Mort looks back at the team managers he rode under at both Belle Vue and England, including some forthright views about his unhappy relationship with Backtrack columnist John Berry. JB gives us his own personal insight to Chris Morton. Read what the former England boss really thinks of the Belle Vue star. Also featured… Phil Herne One of the top Australians of the mid-70s, Phil looks back on the highs and lows of his career. From featuring in the races in which one Aussie rider was left paralysed and another was killed at the same Sydney track just a week later…to the glory of his country’s first-ever World Team Cup success. Phil reveals the rider he rated as the best Aussie of his era, and also looks back at his BL days with Birmingham, Newport and Bristol. Tom Owen The first of our former National League giants featured this month, the former Newcastle and Stoke No.1 reflects on a successful racing career that began at Barrow. Tom also explains why he can now walk an inch-and-a-half taller than when he last rode a speedway bike 20 tears ago – and the buzz he still gets from racing . . . pigeons! Steve Lawson Our second former NL giant, this time the undisputed Mister Glasgow who, almost single-handedly kept the Tigers roar going during difficult years for the nomadic Scottish club. Steve takes us from his early days at Workington to a richly-deserved testimonial with Glasgow, explaining why he was happy to remain one of the big stars of the second division rather than move up into the top flight. Brian and Gary Havelock On the eve of the sport’s opening at Redcar, we talk to both halves of the most famous father and son combination in the history of north-east speedway. Brian, the Bears’ new team manager, rewinds his own racing career that took in Sunderland, Workington, Newcastle and Middlesbrough. And Gary, Redcar’s new skipper and No.1, tells us what he recalls of his dad’s riding days and the influence he had on his journey to World Championship glory. Mike Letch Not a household name in speedway terms, but Mike is a very remarkable figure in Australian scuba diving circles. Remarkable? Well, Mike has been paralysed since crashing as a promising junior at Rye House in 1970. With amazing courage and candour, he relives the horrible moment when his riding days ended and his new life began. Don’t miss this amazing and very uplifting story of how one man’s determination and bravery turned tragedy into triumph. John Scott The likeable man behind the most successful USA Test team in speedway history. In this special feature on the late American team manager, we talk to some of those who knew him best to find out the key role he played behind the scenes and why the colourful Californians all had total respect for the English gentleman. Managing to Succeed Former Newport, Reading, Oxford and Eastbourne team boss Bob Radford reveals his memories, good and bad, of managing at different tracks in the late 60s and early 70s. Who was the King’s Lynn star who claimed Radford’s Reading riders cheated at the starts on their way to the 1973 league title? Book extracts We bring you exclusive extracts from two new books published to coincide with the start of the new season. In an excerpt from Wheels and Deals, Ian Thomas reveals how promoting at Newcastle turned very ugly for him in a disastrous 1984 season that saw him him rock bottom, losing his job and his home. We’ve got current Belle Vue star Jason Crump, dipping into his book, A World of My Own, to pay tribute to the man he credits most with helping him on his way to becoming World Champion. And it’s not his father, Phil! Remember 1980? Britain was facing another economic depression, but there were only happy faces in the England camp as the Lions completed an historic grand slam after losing the Test series to USA. A month-by-month look back at the first year of the 80s, when Reading were BL champions, Rye House won the NL, John Lennon was shot dead and the nation went crazy for Rubik’s Cube! ______________________________________ A SUBSCRIPTION TO BACKTRACK FOR ONE YEAR (6 ISSUES) COSTS JUST £16.00 IN THE UK. JUST PHONE OUR CREDIT CARD HOTLINE ON 01708 734 502 AND SIGN UP USING YOUR CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD. OR GO ONLINE AT WWW.RETRO-SPEEDWAY.COM

Yeah, Mike also remembers that well. It was the Mike Letch Trophy individual on October 18, 1970, and it was won by a promising Ipswich rider called John Louis! JL later presented a cheque for monies raised to Mike before he returned home to Oz. I advise anyone to read our new interview with Mike, it's so uplifting and a lesson to us all not to feel too sorry for ourselves.

Any particular reason why we should ask that? - pse elaborate for those who weren't in the know at Owlerton back then....