ianmartin

Aye - those were the days.

I think this 'Area Special' is a good idea. Perhaps in future issues we could have a North East Special a South West Special etc. Then the Magazine could focus on various parts of the country. Just a suggestion.

Jerzy Szczakiel for 1973 - DEFINITELY!!

There are some CRACKING arguments against the current day SELECTION of G?. P. Riders. Glad to see Jack Young getting another mention.

Sunderland won the F.A. Cup in 1937 Rob. Thanx for reminding me.

What - No Billy Hamill. Having re-read the article - it appears that Billy Hamill WILL be appearing. Thought it was odd.

Worrying this - Snyper1010 - I find myself agreeing with you 100%. You are absolutely SPOT ON!!

I'm just hoping that he used his first piece as a way of introducing himself - at least I hope so. Will be awaiting his next installment with interest.

A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed a visit to the Speedway Museum at Paradise Wildlife Park. I feel I must congratulate ALL the people involved for a wonderful facility presenting virtually a full HISTORY of our wonderful Sport of Speedway.. The memories evoked were in some ways very sad for me. My Club, Sunderland closed back in 1974 - but - how nice it was to see a Poster had been put up to at least show that Sunderland were part of Speedway's GREAT history. The old Speedway Bikes from pre-war up to Jason Crumps Bike of today. Peter Craven (one of my heroes), Gary Havelock from my current Club Redcar 'Bears', Terry Stone - President of the WSRA - former Rayleigh 'Rocket' who actually rode at Sunderland all those years ago. Ivan Mauger (rode in 19 Races at Sunderland and won the lot), Bert Harkins, 'Banger' Jansson, Steve Wilcock - ahh the Memories. Also nice to see the Vic Harding Memorial Meeting Race Jacket (another former Sunderland Rider) hanging up with SO many Club Race Jackets from yesteryear. Thank you for a superb experience. I WOULD RECOMMEND A VISIT - I GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

I will definitely be getting a Copy. I missed out on the Book - I don't want to miss out on this as well. Told my son - it is on my Christmas present List. I have bought loads of BackTrack Publications - Mostly from my Track Shop (Sorry Tony) and I haven't been disappointed yet. I just know it will be worth it.

Yet again - BackTrack comes up Trumps. I particularly enjoyed Simmo's article. Forthright, Honest and NO punches pulled. I found it compelling reading and found that I agreed 100% with what he had to say. Some may not like what he has said - but - it is refreshing to find someone who is still very obviously passionate about the Sport telling it as he sees it. Bruce Penhall has used his first piece to more or less introduce himself - I will expect more in his next submission. The Jimmy Beaton article was very interesting - Martin Neal continues to impress. I missed Rod Haynes this Month - I hope he is on holiday because I look forward to his contribution each Month. Have I got to wait two months for the next issue.

Not GREAT.

I rather resent the fact that I have been called a sycophant - since when was being HONEST being sycophantic. I give my OPINIONS and my (RE)VIEWS as I see them - if I dislike something - more often than not I won't comment for fear of hurting the person concerned. However if something good comes along like Classic Speedway and BackTrack that I regard as being EXCELLENT I will say so - not to be sycophantic but to give others a chance to enjoy a couple of SUPER Magazines. If that IS sycophantic - then I am I suppose a sycophant - however - I suggest you look up the definition before you accuse people of being something they are not.

No mention for Ronnie Genz of Oxford fame. Tallest Speedway Rider - Pete Wigley must be a candidate.

Having already bought the 1940's CD I must say that the research must have been very exhaustive because the result is a marvellous collection of Memories. I can only say that I recommend this CD MOST highly. For anyone interested in the History of our Sport - then this is a MUST. I am sure that the 1950's will be just the same. I WILL be purchasing it and will be looking forward to future decades - particularly the 1970's. Make a GREAT present for Christmas.

CLASSIC!!

What about Dene Davies Cleveland Bay.

I believe Andy Buck is a policeman here in Sunderland (Northumbria Police). He attended one of our Sunderland Speedway Reunions a few years ago.

By golly I hope you are right. Any chance of a Yeah or Nay on that one Tony.

Is there any chance of another edition of Speedway in the '70's. That was a super Magazine with loads of pictures to evoke memories of years ago. I enjoyed the first one very much.

I will be keeping my eyes open for the Postman.

I am horrified by the criticism of 'BackTrack'. It is a superb production to those of us who supported Speedway during the years covered by the Magazine. Rod Haynes contributions are GREAT and if you e-mail him he actually replies. Granted the Headliners have been largely covered now - but - there are still loads of other Riders in whom a lot of people would be interested. I enjoyed the piece on Preben Eriksen It's not often these days that something comes along that is actually worth the money you pay for it. In my opinion BackTrack is a first class Magazine, professionally produced on quality paper. I think it is EXTREMELY good value. Let me say that BackTrack and Classic Speedway are eagerly awaited by myself when they are due to be delivered. On the PDF debate - it would NOT remotely interest me. There is nothing like handling the real thing, relaxing in an armchair, a cup of coffee and a jolly good read. I have ALL the BackTracks since Issue One - I love to go back and read some articles again. Don't lose heart Tony - the Magazine is BRILLIANT - can't wait for the next one.

Good Post - The World Championship??? SHOULD be won on MERIT and against ALL COMERS.

I, personally, am sure the 1964 closure of Sunderland was for the benefit of primarily Wolverhampton - they got Airey, Guasco, McKee and Newcastle who got Sharples. These Riders were all under contract to the Parker/Bridgett Promotion. Wolves were bottom of the League when Sunderland closed - they finished I believe it was third with the acquisition of OUR Riders. Newcastle with Sharples went on to win the League. My sole grouse in all of this is that Sunderland, both with the Parker/Bridgett (1964) and various other Promoters between 1971 and 1974 were NEVER given a Team to watch that was capable of achieving more than a mid table position. This is proved by the first Season (1971) when we finished bottom of the League. The Lads we had did their best - but - the Team was not good enough. If you are going to introduce a Team to a new area for Speedway - you need to give it at least a chance of winning something. I was introduced to Speedway in 1964 where I caught the Bug. In the forty five years that I have supported Speedway I have been able to support my local Team Sunderland for ONLY four and a half years. Because of this I feel very let down by the Speedway establishment. I had to spend my time going to Tracks at Newcastle and now Redcar. Sunderland people were not greedy - we were happy just to have our Speedway. As a member of the Track Staff - I paid to get in AND worked on the Track just to keep the costs down. I was not alone in this - all the Track Staff did the same. As I said - WE WERE JUST HAPPY TO HAVE OUR SPEEDWAY - THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.

Grand???? Prix - just get rid of the damned things. If I want to watch a procession - I'll go to a funeral. On the plus side - it might be the G????P Funeral.