Retro Speedway: CLASSIC SPEEDWAY BACK ISSUES 1-27

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CLASSIC SPEEDWAY BACK ISSUES 1-27

PLEASE NOTE CLASSIC ISSUES 1-31 ARE NOW SOLD OUT

FIRST-EVER ISSUE!
No.1 Spring/Summer 2008

IVAN MAUGER - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Who else but Ivan Mauger, the greatest rider in speedway history, to adorn the front cover of our first issue?

In our new, exclusive interview with the six times World Champion he talks candidly about his early career...his battles and long-running feud with promoter Mike Parker.

"With all due respect to Ronnie Greene and Charles Ochiltree, they were wimps compared to Parker," says Mauger, who explains why it was his disputes with his Newcastle boss that drove him to leave the Diamonds in 1969.

"If Parker had left Newcastle, I would never have joined Belle Vue," he added.

But the Kiwi legend admits that if it hadn't been for the launch of the Parker-inspired Provincial League in 1960, he would not have returned to England following his unsuccessful spell with Wimbledon in the late 50s, when he did a milk round to try and make ends meet.

Mauger reveals the influence he had on the Aces, how he turned them from also-rans to triple BL champs in the early 70s. He talks about Peter Collins and how he went before the Belle Vue board of directors to try and get PC in the team before he stepped up from Rochdale. "PC didn't even know I'd been to see them," he admitted.

OLLE NYGREN
We're back with the Swedish maestro (part one of this interview appeared in the last-ever issue of VSM) for more remarkable revelations and memories.

In this issue, Nygren reflects on the hazardous nature of motorcycle sport, recalling incidents that led to the deaths of rivals, team-mates and old friends. Olle was the first on the scene, along with Joel Jansson, when fellow Swede Tommy Jansson lost his life in Stockholm in 1976.

We take up the story of Nygren's incredible career during his Norwich days in the early 60s and also hear what he made of his subsequent spells with Wimbledon, West Ham, Ipswich, Coventry and King's Lynn.

He also talks openly about race-fixing and 'doing favours' in World Championship meetings. He pursued one rider who owed him £50 all the way to Australia! "There was a system in Sweden of 'covering' races and I understood how it worked," says Olle, who revealed that he was in the pits at one World Final when a fellow countryman was offered a £1,000 bribe to throw a key race.

Powerful stuff from this Grandfather of Swedish speedway, who has just recovered from major heart bypass surgery.

NEIL STREET
Many current day fans know Neil as team manager at Newport and as the influential grandfather of double World Champion Jason Crump, but in this interview we discover the background to Neil's respectable riding career.

He describes his voyage of adventure from Australia, the sacrifices he made to make the grade with Swindon and Exeter, and has a firm response to those who have described Newport's old Somerton Park as one of the most dangerous of all.

BRUCE CRIBB
Kiwi Cribbie's career spanned three decades, but here we focus on his battle to find his way in his early days with Poole in the 60s.

"I wasn't a naturally talented rider and Poole could have sent me home years before I eventually came good for them," said Bruce, who played his part in solid Pirates' 1969 BL-title winning victory.

FLASHBACK
We look back the years 1948, 1958 and 1968, featuring the BL Division Two introduced so successfully 40 years ago.

VIC HUXLEY
One for the old-timers to savour, as we examine the impact made by speedway's first superstar.

NEW CROSS
Looking at the impact made by Ron Johnson through the years at the south London track.

NAME THAT TRACK
Can you recognise the two tracks featured in our picture quiz?

Plus your letters and much more.

ISSUE 2
Autumn/Winter 2008

COLIN PRATT - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
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 Ronnie Moore called him a "rotten devil" and 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.

ISSUE 3
Winter 2008-09

BARRY BRIGGS - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Four times World Champion and the biggest name in the sport's history, BARRY BRIGGS looks back at the start and through the peak years of his illustrious career in our major exclusive that runs over 12 pages. Briggo recalls his early struggles to find his way under no-nonsense promoter Ronnie Greene at Wimbledon in the early 50s and why he wanted away from the Dons all for the sake of £30.

He remembers happier days at Southampton and riding for showman Charles Knott, who paid him a fiver to deliberately miss the start in the second-half final at Bannister Court.
Barry led Swindon to the British League championship in 1967 but read why he believes he was not as good a captain as his Kiwi mate Ivan Mauger.

BB talks about his stormy relationship with great rival Ove Fundin, including their controversial clash that decided the 1957 World Final.

In 1964 Barry was officially declared runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award but speedway people still insist the voting was rigged. Briggo shares his own thoughts on that and what it was like being the most famous face in the sport throughout the 60s.

RICK FRANCE
He was a leading England international, BL star for Coventry and 1967 World Finalist but, as RICK FRANCE explains why a persistent shoulder problem hampered his once promising career.

Rick, now 70 and a great-grandad, recalls his escapades with the Bees and how he and his old pal and business partner Ron Mountford once landed themselves in trouble with promoter Charles Ochiltree.

He talks about his Coventry team-mates, including Nigel Boocock. Rick says: "At Newcastle one night we didn't like the track, so we had words and pulled out - except for Nigel and John Harrhy. They were in every other race while the rest of us cleared off to the bar because we weren't going to be taken for idiots. That was another one of Mike Parker's tracks - it was terribly prepared.

"I remember Nigel being at a Control Board hearing after something or other had gone on and him saying that he'd ride on broken glass if he had to. Well, we wouldn't."

IVOR BROWN and the Internationale
It was a big day out for Cradley Heath fans who had travelled down to south-west London from the Black Country for the 1965 Internationale. The amalgamation of the National League and Provincial League prior to the 1965 season had heralded the Heathens' arrival in big-time speedway and the massed ranks of supporters bedecked in green-and-white were determined to enjoy themselves and show their support for their man Ivor Brown, one of the leading lights and tough guys of the Provincial era who had earned his call-up for this prestige meeting with a string of fine scores in the opening months of the season.

We look back at that meeting - in words and pictures - that proved a disaster for the seriously injured Brown, who was stretchered off after a first bend incident with Ove Fundin in his opening ride. The Dudley Wood legend hardly rode again that season and he was never the same rider again.

LUBOS TOMICEK
On the 40th anniversary of his father's tragic death in Prague, Lubos Tomicek talks movingly about the heartbreak and devastation of seeing his dad killed in action. The father of current Lakeside Hammer Lubos Tomicek junior also reveals how lucky he is to still be alive today.

ALAN HUNT
Alan, or 'Whacker' as the Birmingham legend was widely known, is one of speedway's immortals who lost his life in a racing crash. It happened in South Africa and he had risen to eminence, excellence and fame the hard way. When the Alan Hunt whirlwind first hit the cinder tracks of the Midlands, one promoter begged for him to be banned before other riders racing with him came to serious harm.

In this eight-page special on Hunt, we examine the eventful career of the former Cradley Heath, Birmingham and England.

Plus...

Your letters, plus our regular columnists John Hyam and Ian Hoskins.

Previously unseen photographs and another whole helping of pure nostalgia.

ISSUE 4
Spring 2009

TREVOR HEDGE - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
A regular Great Britain and England international from the 60s, Trevor Hedge talks exclusively to Classic Speedway about his early days at Norwich before brief spells with Hackney and Leicester led him to Wimbledon, where he attained legendary status and even out-scored the great Ronnie Moore for two seasons.

The unassuming, ever-modest 'Hedgey' looks back in detail at his career, including the 1969 campaign, his best in the sport, when he recorded 17 full maximums for the Dons.

The highlight was winning the annual Wills Internationale but he reveals why he felt such an undeserving winner of this once prestigious FIM meeting that was settled by his controversial run-off victory against Ivan Mauger.

"I didn't feel that I had any right to even be there. I didn't feel good enough to win those sort of meetings," he says with a remarkable candour so sadly lacking in most modern-day sports stars.

Trevor, the reluctant hero, talks of his respect for and relationship with Wimbledon supremo Ronnie Greene, while Pam Hedge recalls the special bond that existed between the riders and their respective wives.

The pity is that Trevor Hedge never earned the money from racing that his undoubted skills warranted. Indeed, he and Pam recall their conversation with Ronnie Moore that revealed the huge gulf in earnings between the two former Wimbledon stars.

KEN MIDDLEDITCH
A Poole legend who captained the Pirates to league championship glory twice in the 50s, Ken takes us on his fascinating journey from his first speedway rides while serving in the RAF, through his development stages at Hastings, and all the way to him gaining international recognition.

He talks about his successful partnership with friend and team-mate Tony Lewis, which is still fondly remembered today by Poole fans of a certain age.

But there was - and still is - much more to this man than his enduring status as one of Poole's living legends. Ken reveals how he made more money from his numerous business interests away from the track, including a thriving fish shop near Poole that set him up for life.

From there, Ken and his wife Bridget opened Bailie House in the mid-60s and established it as speedway's best known guest house, where all the sport's greats and countless teams from the UK and all over the world were given a warm welcome by the Middleditches.

Oops! We're very sorry to say that the picture on page 13 is not one of Ken serving in his grocer's shop. It's another former rider, Cradley Heath kingpin Ivor Brown, that appears there in error!

DEREK CLOSE
A former World Finalist and one of the most spectacular riders of the Northern speedways in the 50s, Derek reflects on an exciting career that took in Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Leicester and Scottish track Motherwell.

He talks about the injury that still affects him to this day - a fractured skull sustained in a crash during a cup tie at Harringay - and why growing business interests persuaded him to quit the sport.

JACK YOUNG - and his 1951 World Final-winning bike
Whatever happened to the JAP that Aussie champion Jack Young rode to victory in the 1951 World Championship at Wembley? Well, thanks to an avid collector of vintage machinery on the other side of the world, we can now reveal the truth . . . and show you new pictures of this beautifully restored bike.

BILLY LAMONT
The latest subject in our Legends series, we take a close look at the hair-raising exploits of the spectacular pre-war Aussie racer known as 'Cyclone'.

Plus... Report and pictures from the first annual Celebration of Speedway event at Paradise Wildlife Park, home to the National Speedway Museum.

ISSUE 5
Summer 2009

JIMMY GOOCH - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Jimmy Gooch has led an amazing life and some of the most extraordinary things he has achieved came after he completed his distinguished racing career with Wembley, Ipswich, Norwich, Oxford, Newport and Hackney. Classic Speedway headed to a remote part of coastal Essex to meet a remarkable man. Jimmy recalls the day he thumped team-mate Ove Fundin, why he stayed with Wembley when he could have gained more rides elsewhere and he names his best-ever team partner. And read why he admits he was "disgusted with himself" after his one and only World Final performance that had a heart-breaking postscript. Jimmy is pictured here racing for Wembley against Belle Vue's Ken Sharples at Hyde Road.

JACK GERAN - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
One of the most colourful and popular Aussies to grace the British scene, Jack Geran (left) was fortunate to avoid serious injury in a career spanning 20 years. We caught up with the Exeter Falcons legend at his Devon home, where he reminisced about his great friendship with Neil Street, his friendly rivalry with Ken McKinlay, riding in front of 70,000 at his only Wembley World Final appearance and his trophy-winning days with Oxford in the 60s.

TERRY STONE - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Welcome to the Stone Age! He might not have polled quite as many votes as Barack Obama in the USA, but World Speedway Riders' Association President Terry Stone is a selfless man of the speedway people. We talk to the former Rayleigh stalwart, who recalls his spells at opposite ends of the country with Glasgow, Exeter, Wolverhampton and West Ham before returning to Essex to complete his career with the Rockets.

BILL KITCHEN
We take a close look at the life and times of our Vintage Legend Bill Kitchen (right), the veteran former Wembley skipper who was idolised by the Empire Stadium crowd even though he never quite scaled the heights of more illustrious Lions team-mates.

Plus...Remember those mysterious Russians who captured the fans' imagination on their first tours to Britain in the mid-60s? And, who needed Xbox, PS3, Wii or Game Boy back in the 50s and 60s when you could have had hours of fun playing . . . Subbuteo Speedway!

Order your copy here now...

ISSUE 6
Autumn 2009

NIGEL BOOCOCK - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
England's leading rider of the 60s Nigel Boocock talks exclusively from his home in Queensland, Australia, while we also reflects on the ups and downs of a remarkable career that spanned 29 years and made him a popular speedway hero on both sides of the world.

The Coventry legend looks back on his 18 seasons at Brandon and talks of his relationship with promoter Charles Ochiltree.

He talks about his never-say-die attitude that thrilled thousands throughout his career and left him nursing some serious injuries almost from Day One, when he was a young rookie at Bradford.

Booey also explains how he came to wear his famous blue leathers, why he was disappointed not to make the top three in at least one of his eight World Final appearances and the riders he admired most.

BOB ANDREWS - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Speedway was in turmoil in 1964 and Bob Andrews was at the centre of the National League/Provincial League conflict. Here the 'rebel' Kiwi, explains why he ended up in the high court at the Old Bailey after being sued by his club and briefly shunned by team-mates.

Bob talks candidly about his early days with California and then progressing from novice to heat leader in the great Wimbledon team of the 50s before his bust-up with Ronnie Greene caused by his brief switch to Wolverhampton.

He provides a fascinating insight into his World Pairs championship success with Ivan Mauger at Stockholm in 1969 and reveals why a late-night visit to a Swedish sex shop played its part in their unorthodox build up to the big night!

VIC WHITE - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
He wasn¹t the greatest rider in the world, but Vic White has done more than most in a sport that has seen him succeed on both sides of the fence. We caught up with the driving force behind the WSRA, who had spells with Cradley Heath, Long Eaton, Newport and Leicester before becoming a team manager and promoter.

ERIC WILLIAMS & LOUIS LAWSON
We pay tribute to two former favourites who recently passed away. The 'Little Welshman' Eric Williams of Wembley Lions fame and Belle Vue legend Louis Lawson, who went close to winning the 1949 World Championship.

Plus:

How the Provincial League came into being and much more in this latest feast of pre-70 nostalgia.

ISSUE 7
Winter 2009-10

BILLY BALES - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
One of the most popular riders in the long history of Norwich Speedway, Billy Bales looks back over his career that promised much but was ultimately handicapped by a series of injuries.

A diminutive racer with a huge heart, Billy reveals how his first promoter gave him a new Christian name that stuck for life.

He recalls his early days with Yarmouth Bloaters before his move up into the senior league with his local Norwich Stars team, where his regular race partners included the great Ove Fundin. Billy gives us his own views on the controversial Swede and how he, too, benefited from Ove's acclaimed mechanic Les Mullins.

Although a legend at Norwich, Billy explains why he enjoyed spending the last five seasons of his career riding for Sheffield Tigers before he finally retired at the end of 1969.

"Fortunately, apart from a little bit of concussion, I never suffered any bad head injuries. I consider myself very lucky to be here today," says Billy, who celebrated his 80^th birthday last June.

GEORGE WHITE - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Our second major interview is with the former Swindon star George White, one of the most spectacular riders to grace the British scene in the 50s and early 60s. After spells as a rookie with Yarmouth and then a brief spell in the juniors at New Cross, George blossomed at Blunsdon, where he became a huge crowd favourite with his fearless style and distinctive all-white leathers. "I had no fear and used to love going out wide and around the fence," he told Classic Speedway.

RON JOHNSON - LEGEND
In this in-depth profile, we chart the rise and fall of the former Australia and New Cross legend Ron Johnson, one of the most dynamic personalities of the late-40s and early-50s.

Johnno's story covers his rapid emergence as a Johnnie Hoskins discovery in Perth, Western Australia, through his golden period of international stardom as hero of the mighty 'Rangers' down the Old Kent Road and residence at the swanky Dorchester Hotel, to his subsequent sad demise - serious head injuries, failed comeback bids for Ashfield, West Ham and Edinburgh and two prison sentences for drink-driving.He spent his latter years confined to a wheelchair following a road accident. He had been dead for a week before his body was discovered in 1983.

LEO McAULIFFE
Q&A with the one-time World Finalist and former Eastbourne, New Cross, Wimbledon and Oxford rider who was forced to retire after fracturing his skull in a bad smash at Halifax in 1969.

LEN SILVER
We produce an edited extract from his new book, As Luck Would Have It: A Cockney's Tale, in which Len looks back on his early days as a struggling and accident-prone novice - "the two-lap champion" - before he got his chance with Ipswich under the management of a regimental man he quickly came to curse.

JIMMY TANNOCK
Fellow Scot Bert Harkins brings us up to date with his former Edinburgh Monarchs team-mate Jimmy Tannock and explains why he became known as 'The Laird of Glen Orchy'.

Plus...

Columnist Ian Hoskins recalls the watershed World Final of 1950, a tribute to the late Sandor Levai, Hungary's greatest ever speedway rider, your letters, news updates and much more...

ISSUE 8
Spring 2010

Welcome to Issue 8 of our quarterly retro magazine. There's another feast of speedway nostalgia for your enjoyment...

SVERRE HARRFELDT - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
He is probably the greatest speedway rider Norway has ever produced . . . and now Sverre Harrfeldt has taken time out to look back over his eventful career with Classic Speedway.

The former Wimbledon, West Ham and Wembley crowd favourite talks candidly and for the first time about THAT controversial night of the 1963 Internationale that was marred by accusations of bribery in which greats Ove Fundin and the late Peter Craven were both implicated.

Read Sverre's account of that big rumpus at Wimbledon and why he refused to shake Craven's hand.Sverre also recalls how he was just three laps away from winning the world title in 1966 and why he blew his chances in 1965 by arriving a day late for the European Final!

In the European Final three years later, Sverre was involved in a horrifying crash that put him out of speedway for 18 months and almost cost him his life. And he reveals how he had a very lucky escape again when he was unable to go on the fateful tour to Holland that killed his friends and West Ham team-mates in 1970.

DANNY DUNTON - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
One of the sport's most popular and enduring characters, Danny looks back at his career as a rider with Harringay, Ipswich, Belle Vue and Oxford, among others. He recalls beating Jack Parker from the back on his first visit to Hyde Road and says: "I hadn't even heard of him - I didn't know any riders at the time!"

REG DUVAL Q&A
Popular former Coventry and Liverpool favourite Reg Duval is the subject of our Q&A this time, as he recalls his overseas adventures in Europe and South Africa, where he competed in his last meeting at the age of 47, as well as his British racing experiences. He talks about Jack Young, his most respected Coventry team-mate, and also explains why his promoting attempts at Liverpool ended in disappointment and strife.

MIROSLAV VERNER - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
One of the finest Czech riders ever, Miroslav Verner reflects on a career that took him to two Wembley World Team Cup finals and a host of British second division tracks where his full throttle exploits are still fondly remembered.

SPLIT WATERMAN, JACK YOUNG AND THE GOLDEN HELMET ROW
In the summer of 1952, Harringay star Split Waterman was hauled before a Control Board tribunal after refusing to race against ex-World Champion Jack Young, of West Ham, in the coveted Golden Helmet match-race championship. John Hyam explains the story behind the row and why the charismatic Waterman was harshly treated.

TOM FARNDON - IS HE THE GREATEST EVER?
Some fellas we know called Mauger, Fundin, Briggs and Rickardsson may have something to say about this very bold claim, but that is what the title of the new book on the former New Cross idol is claiming anyway! Here, John Chaplin examines the impact Farndon had on speedway, explains why he was such a huge star in south-east London and, arguably, the best the sport has seen before his tragic death in 1935, aged just 24.
Plus...

Barry Briggs returns to Wembley, columnist Ian Hoskins, your letters and much more...

ISSUE 9
Summer 2010

BENGT JANSSON - Exclusive interview
In his most candid interview yet, Bengt Jansson tells Classic Speedway what really happened on that momentous night in 1967 when the world title slipped away from him.

There have been one or two conspiracy theories put forward about the run-off to decide the 1967 World Championship between 'Benga' and his fellow Swede Ove Fundin after they had both finished with 14 points. One of them was that Bengt had in some way been compromised by Swedish speedway politics that favoured Fundin over himself.

It has even been suggested that he was under strict orders from SVEMO bosses not to try and beat the Swedish great, who was bidding to go one better than the record four title victories he shared with Barry Briggs.

Now Jansson tell us the truth about that night . . . what he said to Fundin as they walked the Wembley track before the run-off . . . why he thought he was the best rider on the night . . . and his deep disappointment at losing out.

Plus we examine why the former popular West Ham, Edinburgh and Hackney star never came that close to winning the world title again, and what the 67-year-old is doing now.

PETER COLLINS
Former World Champion Peter Collins is a keen speedway historian and a collector who has accumulated some 40 bikes - from early-30s JAPs to the much more modern Jawa, Weslakes and GMs.

In this exclusive interview, PC talks about his passionate hobby in which he lovingly restores vintage machinery, including early 1930s JAPs that used to belong to Belle Vue legend Eric Langton.

IVAN MAUGER
Lay-down engines, leading link front forks, dirt deflectors, four-valve motors and silencers are part and parcel of speedway today but, as six times World Champion Ivan Mauger points out and our accompanying pictures confirm, there is nothing new about any of them.

ALF HAGON - Exclusive interview
The former Harringay, Wimbledon, Leicester, Oxford, Poole and West Ham rider is the latest to feature in our Q&A series, reflecting on the highs and lows of his eventful career in the capital.

JAROSLAV VOLF - Exclusive interview
We talk to the first Czech rider to appear in the individual World Final.

SECOND SCENE
In our new series on the British League second division we turn the clock back to 1968 and the re-launch of the sport at Middlesbrough, where the Teesside Teessiders got off to a winning start against North-East rivals Berwick.

BUDDY FULLER
Recalling the career of a speedway trailblazing entrepreneur from South Africa, the latest in our Legends series.

Plus columnists Ian Hoskins and John Hyam, your letters and much more...

ISSUE 10
Autumn 2010

BEST OF BRITISH - The top 20 of the 50s
The early 50s were a very successful period for British riders. After Tommy Price had won the last World Championship of the 40s, his fellow Wembley star Freddie Williams put Wales on the speedway map by winning the coveted title in 1951 and again in 1953.

In 1955 (cover man) Peter Craven became only England's second World Champion after Price but, otherwise, the decade was largely dominated at the highest level by Aussie Jack Young and, in the late 50s, the Kiwi duo of Ronnie Moore and Barry Briggs, plus Swedish ace Ove Fundin.So, apart from Williams and Craven, who were the other main British challengers from this era and how would you rank them now?

It's a tough ask but respected and prolific author Norman Jacobs readily rose to the challenge and has compiled his Top 20 Brits of the 50s.

RONNIE GENZ - Exclusive interview
He rode throughout the 50s and 60s and was 42 when he finally retired at Newport in 1972. Here Oxford legend Ronnie Genz talks to Classic Speedway about the highs and lows of a long career spent mostly in the top flight and which also included successful spells with Yarmouth and Poole after an eye-opening baptism among the big boys at New Cross.

One of the many issues we discussed with Ron, now 80, was the time he rode for Exeter under a false name.

NORMAN PARKER
He may not have quite had brother Jack's talent, but Norman Parker was still a class act who made his mark on the sport. We look back over the career of the man who became a star at Wimbledon and a speedway legend in his own right.

DINGLE BROWN
Our Q&A this time is with one of the sport's most likeable characters, former Rayleigh favourite Dingle Brown, who reveals the highs and lows of his eventful career that began at Stoke in the early 60s.

SECOND SCENE
We continue our look back at the early days of British League Division Two by recalling the opening night meeting at Crayford, where the Highwaymen went into battle with Nelson.

ALF WEEDON
In a new series where we turn the spotlight on non-riders who made their mark in other areas of speedway, here's a fascinating insight into the sport's most recognisable and enduring photographer. Alf recently celebrated his 90^th birthday, so we found out how he got into speedway and what happened to him thereafter.

Plus columnists Ian Hoskins and John Hyam, your letters and much more...

ISSUE 11
Winter 2010-11

RAY WILSON INTERVIEW
To coincide with the Leicester revival and the launch of his new DVD, we talk to the Lions' greatest-ever rider. 'World Cup Willy' reflects on his glittering career for club and country.

BEST of BRITISH - The 60s
Who were the top 20 British riders of the 60s? After unveiling his top 20 British riders of the 50s in our last issue, we asked Norman Jacobs to come up with a list covering the swinging 60s - an era remembered for the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Flower Power and much more.

A decade that began with the launch of Coronation Street and ended with men walking on the moon!After regaining the World Championship in 1962, Peter Craven was widely expected to dominate the rest of the decade, or at least provide Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs and the emerging Scandinavians with their toughest challenge.

Sadly, Peter's life ended suddenly at Edinburgh, just a year after his last Wembley triumph, and England lost one of its all-time greats.

It was an impossible void to fill but a number of younger Englishmen emerged during the decade to take up the challenge.

RON BAGLEY Q&A
His finest hour came as team manager of the all-conquering Ipswich side in the 1970s, but Ron Bagley had a long riding career too.

After starting out at Yarmouth he went on to ride for Plymouth, Sheffield, Coventry (briefly) and Ipswich before taking up a role on the other side of the fence.Now 73, he's no longer involved with the sport but still has the photography business that he began during his speedway days.

SECOND SCENE
There is no question which team dominated the early years of British League Division Two. Belle Vue Colts won the inaugural BL2, losing just four matches on their way to the 1968 league championship.

In 18 league encounters, Crayford, Nelson, Middlesbrough and Plymouth were the only conquerors of the Colts, who rode as the senior Belle Vue's second string.

LEGEND: TOMMY CROOMBS
A white-liner who emerged from South London to challenge the world's best, Tommy Croombs became an enduring pioneering hero at West Ham. We look back on the career of the chain-smoking Hammer.

CHARACTERS: WALLY LOAK
Just like Alf Weedon who we featured last time, Wally Loak has been part and parcel of the speedway scene for more than 50 years. We catch up with a man of many parts and best known as the sport's first commentator . . .

Plus columnists Ian Hoskins and John Hyam, tributes to Tommy Farndon, Toby Harrysson and Phil Clarke, your letters and much more...

ISSUE 12
Spring 2011

TOMMY ROPER Exclusive interview
You won't see successful businessman Tommy Roper at any speedway reunions and he doesn't usually reminisce about the old days either. But he made an exception for Classic Speedway and, after an evening of warm Yorkshire hospitality and a whole raft of amusing and interesting tales, we're very glad he did.It took his speedway career a while to get going. Spells with Bradford, Sheffield, Middlesbrough and Long Eaton along with a brief 'retirement' preceded a move to Halifax, where his career really came alive and he helped the Dukes to a memorable British League and KO Cup double in 1966.

From there he went to glamour club Belle Vue before winding down his racing days at Oxford, a return to Halifax and finally Hull.

In a 14-year career he proved he could live with the best of them on his day - but if his mum and dad had their way, it would never have started at all.

TONY CLARKE Exclusive interview
Fearless on track and off, former West Ham favourite Tony Clarke gives a rare and candid interview in which he tells all about his battle for stardom, why he didn't stay at the top, the gift that former team-mate Gary Hay gave him as a result of the Lokeren road crash and there's also a confession about Russian bikes that went missing!

CLIVE HITCH Q&A
His riding career began and ended at Rye House, and in between he had spells with Coventry and Halifax, but it was with the Swindon Robins that Clive Hitch enjoyed most success. Now retired and living near King's Lynn in Norfolk, he looks back over his career with Classic Speedway.

RONNIE MOORE BOOK
At a time when retired riders with a story to tell publish their autobiographies or DVDs chronicling their career, Ian Hoskins was somewhat amazed to find a little known biography about former double World Champion Ronnie Moore that was published 35 years ago. The Ronnie Moore Story, as told to Rod Dew, was published in New Zealand in 1976. We've a taste of what's inside the 190 pages.

LEGEND: PHIL 'TIGER' HART
A chance meeting on the other side of the world transformed Tiger Hart's life and led him to become a Birmingham legend and one of the sport's most enduring figures.

CHARACTERS: JOHN SOMERVILLE
If you want to know anything about speedway badges, programmes or photos, then Scottish collector John Somerville is the go-to man. We dragged him away from his scanner long enough for a rare interview.

ONCE A JOLLY SWAGMAN - DVD Review
IT is almost impossible to imagine viewing a modern feature-length film in which the plot revolves around tpeedway - but it did when the Rank Organisation made Once A Jolly Swagman at London's Pinewood Studios in 1948.

And now it has been re-released in DVD format for all of us speedway romantics to enjoy.

A young Dirk Bogarde, in only his fourth film role, plays the lead character Bill Fox, who attains superstardom and all the trappings of success with the fictional pre-war 'Cobras' speedway team.Finfd out how you can order a copy of this DVD direct from Retro Speedway for £12.99 + P&P.

Plus John Hyam on Ernie Roccio, your letters and much more...

ISSUE 13
Summer 2011

ERIC BOOCOCK Exclusive interview
Eric Boocock, the new President of the World Speedway Riders' Association, looks back on half-a-century in speedway and considers how much the sport has changed in that time. One of the most enduring and charismatic characters in speedway celebrates 50 golden years in the sport this season.

Rider, team manager, promoter, World Team Cup-winning England chief and currently Sheffield Tigers team boss, Booey has certainly seen some changes in that time.

Not all of them have been for the best either, but he maintains that it's still the same sport he fell in love with half-a-century ago and insists: "It's still four blokes on motorcycles turning left."

JOHN HART Exclusive interview
We talk to John Hart about a life in speedway, taking in spells with Stoke, Cradley Heath, Sheffield, Leicester and Birmingham.

Few, if any, speedway riders of any generation can claim to have been brought up in such close proximity to the sport as 60s and 70s crowd favourite John.

The son of Birmingham legend Phil 'Tiger' Hart, and himself a hugely consistent performer with a string of mostly Midlands tracks, John actually lived inside a speedway stadium as a child.

JIM LIGHTFOOT Q&A
A World Finalist in 1963, former Coventry favourite Jim recalls the highs and lows of his career.

WILBUR LAMOREAUX
In the latest in our Legends series, we look back at the career of the former American star and World No.2 who brought personality and points to post-war Wembley and Birmingham.

CHARACTERS - TIM TEMPLETON
Meet the fan with one of the most impressive collections of vintage machinery and autographed race jackets.

Plus . . .

How government ministry proposals could have had serious repercussions for the sport.

The 'Dutch Pirates' who rode in Holland under assumed names.

Tributes to the late Bill Holden, Phil Malpass and Kym Bonython.

Full page colour photos of Barry Thomas and the Cradley Heathens.

Our latest quiz - can you guess the defunct track pictured and the identity of the two body colours from the late 60s?

ISSUE 14
Autumn 2011

MALCOLM SIMMONS Exclusive interview
He was one of England's greatest, finished second in the World Final and won three World Pairs and four World Team Cup winners' medals, but former England captain and No.1 Malcolm Simmons still reckons he underachieved in speedway.

In this in-depth interview Simmo reflects on his early racing days in the Provincial League with Hackney, followed by senior British League spells with West Ham and King's Lynn - his highs and lows.

Following an illustrious career spanning 27 seasons, few are better qualified to comment on how speedway has changed since he began racing on the shale in 1963, so we also asked the ever-controversial Malcolm for his views on British speedway past and present, which often make grim reading for the modern era!

In a separate feature headlined 'The Trouble With Speedway', Simmo says: "When I rode for England there were plenty of riders complaining when they weren't picked but attitudes have changed and nowadays riding for your country doesn't mean as much to some people."

And in a damning indictment of the lack of quality and depth of talent in Britain today, he adds: "You also have to question the attitude of many young British riders. Instead of getting on with the job, some of them are too posey and just want the bit that goes with speedway, without actually putting in the time and effort to become good at it. Most of them are just not good enough."

Crowned British Champion in 1976, when any number of top riders could have won it, he says: "It's now an absolute waste of time meeting. You know whose going to win it and the three riders who will contest the final - Harris, Nicholls and an Australian, Tai Woffinden. Well, at the end of every year he talks about 'going home' for the winter to recharge his batteries, and home to him is Perth, Western Australia, so in my book he's an Aussie.

"Scott has won the British title six times but he now only has a couple of others to beat each year. It makes a mockery of our so-called Elite League."

TONY ROBINSON Exclusive interview
In a Provincial League initially dominated by near-veterans sensing easy pickings, Tony Robinson was a true discovery. The former Belle Vue junior recalls how his big chance seemed to have disappeared until the intervention of another Yorkshireman who made his speedway name in Lancashire, former Belle Vue idol Frank Varey, and how he went on to star status with Sheffield.

CYRIL FRANCIS Q&A
The former Stoke, Wolverhampton and Newport rider recalls the highs and lows of his career, including an off-track accident in Germany that left him with two broken legs, a fractured skull . . . and no insurance.

JACK YOUNG: Legend
They called him 'Laid Back Jack' but the former Edinburgh sensation and West Ham legend became the first to win back-to-back world titles. In this in-depth profile of the popular Australian, Ivan Mauger pays tribute to the help and advice he received from 'Youngie' which kick-started the then young Kiwi's faltering career.

When West Ham closed at the end of the 1955 season Young returned to Australia for a couple of years, then signed for Coventry. He remained a class act, and during his last season in England, 1961, he was able to work the old magic one last time when he won the Tom Farndon Trophy at New Cross, beating a field of top internationals that included Moore, Briggs, Craven and Bjorn Knutson.

There were two more years racing in Australia before retirement in December 1963 after winning the South Australia State Championship.Young died of emphysema, lung disorder, on August 28, 1987, aged 62. There were stories that he pulled the plug on his own life support machine when he was being treated in his last days. What really happened was that he was in an oxygen tent because even minimal lung function was difficult, and he maintained his sense of humour to the end by asking one of his visitors on the last day for 'a fag'. He died later that day due to insufficient oxygen to maintain brain function.

Jack Young is still revered by older fans in Edinburgh and he has a street named after him on the housing site that used to be West Ham's Custom House stadium.

Plus . . .

Eternal divide of Roundheads and Cavaliers
In trying to distinguish the difference between the two factions, this is an article in defence of Johnnie Hoskins' proud claim to have been speedway's founding father.

Tributes to JIMMY GOOCH, LES BEAUMONT, BINGLEY CREE and DON GODDEN.

SECOND STAR - this time it's Eastbourne teenage sensation DAVE JESSUP.

How one Halifax rider in the 60s quit speedway, found God and became a missionary.

Your letters, GOTE NORDIN centre spread picture after one of his two Internationale victories at Wimbledon and the 1970 WEMBLEY LIONS in full colour.

And our latest quiz - can you guess the trio of 60s stars pictured and the identity of the two body colours?

ISSUE 15
Winter 2011-12

RON HOW Tribute
From pauper to prince, Ron How came a long way in life and on the track. we recall the successful career of the former Wimbledon and Oxford star and eight times World Finalist.

One of the quiet men of speedway and one of the most underrated of England's major talents, Ron How has died aged 81 after a long and brave battle with prostate cancer.

From a self-confessed peasant farming family in Little Missenden, Buckinghamshire, he rose to be world class during a speedway career that lasted for 15 years, spanning the 50s and 60s.

One of the many tributes to How came from four times World Champion Barry Briggs, a rival while Ron was at Harringay and a team-mate of his with Ronnie Moore, at Wimbledon. "It's really sad," said Barry. "His record doesn't really show how good he was as a rider. He was hard, but fair, an all-round good bloke. I'm sure Ove (Fundin) feared racing Howie more than he did us, because he was an out-and-out trier. His ready laugh will be sorely missed."

ERIC HOCKADAY Exclusive interview
Eric is truly a man for firsts. And as we reveal, not just the very substantial proportion of firsts past the finish line he recorded during a 17-year career in speedway. Eric was deeply involved, in one way or another, in some of the sport's most significant events during the turbulent years of the 60s.

Eric rode in the Provincial League's first match in 1960. With several years experience behind him, including appearances at the top level with National League Coventry, he was snapped up by eventual PL champions Rayleigh and proved a major points scorer.

Some four years later he should have ridden for new club Cradley Heath at Exeter, in the notorious fixture which launched the PL's rebellion against authority. Like many other riders, including some Dudley Wood team-mates, he was at first reluctant to ride 'black' and hesitated before throwing in his lot with the Provincials.

When another 12 months had passed, and the bitter rift between the sport's rival competitions had been healed, Eric was again in pole position when speedway history was made. For the first-ever British League fixture at Coventry's Brandon Stadium, he rode for Cradley in the very first heat.

TOMMY SWEETMAN Q&A
The former New Cross, Wolverhampton, Exeter and Hackney rider looks back. Recalling the happiest periods of his career, he says: "Seasons 1963 to 1966 inclusive. During this period I captained the Wolverhampton team to the Provincial League championship, won individual open meetings, won three World Championship rounds and gained international honours for England and Great Britain. I also promoted at Rye House, ran my own optical business, went through the transition into the British League successfully, competed in the British League Riders' Championship Final and generally enjoyed myself. I maintained an average of between 8.6 and 9.2."

ERIC LANGTON: Legend
A selfless giant of the sport who put his beloved Belle Vue team before personal glory, we profile the great Eric Langton, who came so close to becoming the first World Champion.

He said: "I retired in 1947 when I was 40. I realised that I probably wouldn't improve much more and it was best to get out while I was still at the top. I suppose my career was successful considering the amount of money I earned and the number of trophies I won. My career was immensely satisfying.

"I have always thought that determination was the principal characteristic in the make-up of the successful speedway rider and thought I possessed enough of that. But meeting Tommy Price (England's first World Champion in 1949) socially here in Perth recently made me realise how lacking I had been, and how well endowed with great determination he was. It carried him to the top."

Plus...

Ian Hoskins on his father Johnnie's BRADFORD discovery and John Hyam on the lone survivor from the 1949 World Final, CYRIL ROGER.

Tributes to PAT CLARKE, NEIL STREET, JIMMY WRIGHT, DUDLEY McKEAN.

SECOND STAR - this time it's Rayleigh Rocket GEOFF MALONEY.

Speedway's brief trial at AYR in Scotland.

Your letters and the 1970 EASTBOURNE EAGLES in full colour.

And our latest quiz - can you name the riders in our 60s line-up and the identity of the two body colours?

ISSUE 16
Spring 2012

NORMAN HUNTER Exclusive interview
A star of the 60s for Leicester, Hackney, West Ham, Wolves and England, 'Norm the Storm' was on the verge of world class status until serious injury stopped him in his tracks. We visit the home of one of the sport's eternal nice guys to look back on a successful career.

Here are some of Norman's quotes:
"I got three third places in my first match at Blackbird Road and after scoring more points in a couple of second-half rides, I went home with about 12 quid in my pocket. I couldn't believe how rich I was and drove home in my Morris 1000 van thinking about all the nice things I could buy with my earnings!"

"Ken Mac (McKinlay) told me that he always knew when I was feeling nervous because I'd continuously be clearing my throat in the car on the way to a meeting."

"West Ham wrote some defamatory comments about me in their programme, saying something along the lines that I was moping around and that there was no sense in keeping an unhappy rider 'because you know what one bad apple can do'. I was fuming and contacted my solicitor."

"I came back from that crash but it knocked me for six and I was never the same rider again. It was my throttle hand and it hampered me."

Norman is pictured here with the programme for the 1968 World Team Cup Final at Wembley, where he won his one and only race for the victorious GB team.

RAY CRESP Exclusive interview
Ray Cresp was one of speedway's most combative personalities. His competitive spirit was always to the fore, whether on the track as a high scoring heat leader or as a tough negotiator in smoke-filled committee room battles between the Speedway Riders' Association and the promoters. We tracked down the former World Finalist at his Australian home.

HOW POLAND BEAT THE WORLD IN 1961
Poland rules the speedway world again today, with retention of the World Cup in 2011 following Tomasz Gollob's long awaited individual GP success in 2010. Here we turn the clock back 50 years to recall their first ever World Championship victory, revealing the full incredible story of how spirit and bizarre improvisation overcame a dark day and turned potential disaster into a national triumph.

NORMAN STRACHAN Q&A
Looking back with the former Poole, Newport and Oxford rider.
Norman says: "Being in the Army messed my career up. I think I could have been a much better rider if it hadn't been for that. What happened was that in 1956 I'd taken a part-time job and I chopped a couple of fingers off my right hand when I was using a circular saw. I was told I'd never ride again but in the end I rode until 1973. If I hadn't been in the Army I'd have been able to ride more in the early days and I wouldn't have had to get that job."

FRANK CHARLES: Legend
He was one of England's greatest, a star for Belle Vue and Wembley, but his zest for more thrills beyond speedway ultimately cost him his life.

Plus...

GARRY MIDDLETON'S final resting place.

Ian Hoskins on VIC DUGGAN'S starting prowess and the brilliant BRISTOL BULLDOGS of thelate 40s and John Hyam on the veteran pairing of WAL MORTON and GEOFF PYMAR.

Tributes to KEITH COX and LARS JANSSON.

Your letters and the 1970 SWINDON ROBINS in full colour.

And our latest quiz - can you name the riders in our 60s action shot and the identity of the two body colours?

ISSUE 17
Summer 2012

REG LUCKHURST INTERVIEW
Reg Luckhurst now spends each winter soaking up the Tenerife sunshine, but we caught up with the former Wimbledon star and World Finalist who also rode for New Cross, Edinburgh, Southampton, West Ham and Canterbury and made his mark on a different track - as a recording artist.

THE JAYS - FAMILY OF TIGERS
Speedway has always been a family affair but things reached a new peak at Sheffield one summer evening in the swinging 60s. We recall how former star Wilf Jay returned to the track after a 12-year absence, to share the riding limelight with his sons, Alan and Derek, and then youngest son Stuart also followed his father on to the shale.

MAURICE MORLEY INTERVIEW
There can hardly be a role Maurice Morley did not try at least once in a career spanning 40 years. First as a novice rider, then occasional mechanic to an England legend, on to team manager, track curator, general manager, announcer, programme designer and copy writer, and co-promoter . . . he has just about done it all. His management CV in the 60s included spells with Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sheffield, Halifax, Hackney and Romford.

LEGEND: BLUEY WILKINSON
One of the all-time greats at West Ham, the Australian pre-war star Arthur 'Bluey' Wilkinson was World Champion when he quit racing in 1939 and, as we recall, perished young in an accident far away from the dirt track.

Q&A WITH . . . JOHN CARPENTER
Looking back at the highs and lows in the racing career of the former Leicester Hunters rider.

Plus . . .

How a bored KEN LE BRETON gave up his job as a foreman in a Sydney tobacco factory to become an international star.

How Fleetwood made history in 1950 by giving a debut to the first Polish rider to ever represent a British team.

Memories of post-war NEW CROSS.

Tribute to one of the Cradley Heath pioneers of the late 40s, ERIC IRONS.

Your letters, our latest quiz and the 1970 COVENTRY BEES in full colour.

ISSUE 18
Autumn 2012

OVE FUNDIN INTERVIEW
With five world titles and 11 rostrum placings from 15 World Final appearances, Ove Fundin is a living legend. But as the Swedish superstar tells Classic Speedway's Tony McDonald, he had his faults too.

Quotes from Ove:
"I never rode on the outside, I was always too scared to go out there. I don't think I ever passed anyone on the outside."

"I wish I could go back to the 1957 World Final and change the outcome of the run-off for the world title in my favour. I thought I was robbed that night because I still believe that Barry knocked me off, although he will give you a different version."

"Some people say that it was easier to win the world title in our day because we only had to do the one meeting. But it's the other way around - we had to qualify."

SEEING STARS
Ove Fundin, Olle Nygren Terry Betts and Trevor Hedge, four former Norwich favourites, are all backing the latest bid to revive speedway in the Norfolk city. Read their views on next year's proposed launch at the Norfolk Showground.

LEGEND: GRAHAM WARREN
The first new superstar of the post-war boom and an overnight sensation with Birmingham, John Chaplin was awestruck when he first met Graham Warren and remains a huge admirer of the one and only Blond Bombshell.

GUY ALLOTT INTERVIEW
The Allotts are steeped in speedway, with five different family members spanning three generations having ridden. The best known to our readers will be Guy Allott who, as Philip Dalling recalls, also enjoys a fine reputation as one of the sport's leading engine tuners.

COLIN McKEE Q&A
New Zealand-born Colin recalls the highs and lows of his career, which included spells with Hackney (1963 & 1967), Oxford (1964), Sunderland (1964), Wolverhampton (1964), Edinburgh (1965), Poole (1966) and Halifax (1970).

JOHN BERRY
Tribute to the greatest promoter of his generation, who died at his home in Perth, Western Australia, on August 3, 2012. With his friend Joe Thurley, Berry moved in at Ipswich in 1969 and transformed a club with a chequered past into one of the finest British League teams of the 70s and 80s.

CHRIS BAILEY
He won league titles in both of his first two seasons with Belle Vue Colts and did the double at Hyde Road in the second year. He is in the speedway history books, too, but times soon got tougher for Chris Bailey, talking here to Tracy Holmes.

PETER CRAVEN POSTER
Half a century after winning his second world title, the late, great Peter Craven is still having a positive effect on the sport. Long-time supporter Keith Thompson (pictured here with Peter's widow, Brenda Craven) with his memories of the 'Wizard of Balance' and how to obtain a replica poster from the 1962 World Final.

Plus . . .

Ian Hoskins has the last word on KEN LE BRETON and thoughts of CHARLIE SPINKS.

John Hyam on the tragic deaths of two West Country-based Aussies, TED STEVENS and ROY EATHER.

Tributes to JACK GATES, MIKE TAMS and KEN WALSH.

Your letters, plus ERIC BOOCOCK and PETE SMITH in full colour.

ISSUE 19
Winter 2012-13

FREDDIE WILLIAMS INTERVIEW
He was the first Brit to win the World Championship twice and was also runner-up once in between those Wembley triumphs on his home track in the early 50s. But you would never have guessed it if you didn't already know him as the greatest Welsh speedway rider ever and one of Britain's finest. We visit the Berkshire home of Wembley Lions legend and humble hero Freddie Williams, who loaned us some pictures from his personal family archive to augment the editorial.

Read about Fred's schooldays in Port Talbot with Hollywood actor to be Richard Burton; his rapid rise from novice to World Champion; his views on Bill Kitchen and Tommy Price and why he hated riding with his younger brother Eric; the mechanical secrets of his Wembley success and the unrivalled professional set up at the Empire Stadium; the bizarre practice session that won him his second world title; what Sir Arthur Elvin was really like as a boss; his reasons for quitting speedway at 30; the Williams family's sporting dynasty and much more.

Freddie told Classic Speedway's Tony McDonald: "I realise now that I went about things the wrong way all through my career. I used to sign autographs and go to functions but I regarded it as a bit of a nuisance. I didn't appreciate it at the time - it felt strange to me that people could even think I was marvellous. I didn't consider myself a great World Champion. A fortunate one, yes. All I thought about was myself and I do regret that aspect of my career."

WILL BABY BOOMERS SEE SPEEDWAY SURVIVE
Philip Dalling reached a personal speedway milestone this year, along with many others first attracted to the sport during the 60s revival. Those baby boomer fans are hoping to still be around for the sport's centenary in 2028. But will speedway survive to reward their loyalty? We also list all 57 of the defunct tracks that have closed down in the past 50 years.

FIRST POLISH TOUR OF BRITAIN
Roman Chyla recalls Poland's first ever tour of British tracks in 1956 and the tempting offer one of their star riders found very difficult to resist.

LEGEND: OLIVER HART
One of three racing brothers, Oliver Hart was one of the greatest showmen of his time. John Chaplin recalls the career of the former Odsal favourite who put entertainment above all else.

BOB 'COWBOY' SHARP
Tony Webb pays tribute to the double Australian Champion, former Ipswich rider and colourful character who suffered more than 30 fractures in an eventful career.

Also remembered on our Chequered Flag column this time: Jack White, Merv Neil and Joe Hughes.

SPEEDWAY SUPERHEROES
Extract from the lavish new book from John Chaplin and John Somerville.

Plus . . .

How Ove Fundin's hometown have honoured him in bronze.

Stickers: how supporters showed their club allegiance.

John Hyam on how Bill Kitchen set Jack Winstanley on the right road, plus the night Canadian Jimmy Gibb won six out of 18 races for Wimbledon at New Cross.

Ian Hoskins on how Edinburgh's George Hunter proved his point.

Your letters, plus World Champions in full colour.

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Issue 20 Spring 2013

FREDDIE WILLIAMS RIP
When we visited Freddie Williams at his Berkshire home for the in-depth interview that appeared in our last issue (No.19), none of us could have imagined that they would be his last recorded public words.

Just eight weeks later the speedway world was shocked by the news that the double World Champion had suffered a fatal stroke and died at the age of 86.

We make no apology for the fact that the Welsh wizard dominates this magazine for a second consecutive edition.

The tributes that appear - from family, friends, former rivals, team-mates and others who knew him well - say everything about Freddie Williams, the speedway star and the person.

TADEUSZ 'TEO' TEODOROWICZ
We reveal the full, remarkable story of the former Swindon favourite called 'Teo' who made a daring escape from East to West for what turned out to be a short-lived freedom before tragedy struck one night at West Ham.

BILL POWELL INTERVIEW
He was in the same race in which team-mate Peter Craven was killed and was close to others who lost their lives in motorcycle accidents. But there were highlights, too, for former Belle Vue and Wolves rider Bill Powell.

NORWICH TRACK SPARE No.1
The bikes Ove Fundin rode during his greatest years with Norwich have become part of speedway folklore. We shed more light on an ongoing mystery.

DAVE YOUNGHUSBAND Q&A
The former Middlesbrough, Halifax and Cradley Heath rider looks back at the highs and lows of his career.

LEGEND: ALEC STATHAM
In a tribute to the supreme stylist, John Chaplin wonders what became of the Harringay, Bradford and Wimbledon star who attracted a record transfer fee and was on the brink of speedway greatness.

Plus...

Ian Hoskins recalls two of his Glasgow discoveries, Tommy Miller and Ken McKinlay and what links them.

John Hyam on Walthamstow's three-year post-war period, plus the New Cross revival in 1959.

1970 Bradford Northern full colour team group.

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Issue 21 Summer 2013

LEGEND: SPLIT WATERMAN
Colourful characters in speedway didn't come any bigger than Split Waterman (right). Had there not been a Split Waterman someone would have had to invent him. He touched speedway racing with colour and glamour, and his escapades - some of the more infamous were light years away from the more conventional letter of the law that the majority of us choose to live by - created blazing headlines.
John Chaplin catches up with the controversial exiled former Wembley and Harringay hero.

STEVE WAPLINGTON - To Russia and beyond
Steve Waplington's speedway career ended after two seasons, but he packed an awful lot into a very short space of time: winning a league title, gaining international honours, partnering a World Champion in the sport's most famous club side, and riding in Soviet Russia, Sweden and Italy.
Philip Dalling taps into Steve's memories and asks if he regretted his decision to quit a sport he loved?

TEARS FOR TEO
In issue 20 we revealed the incredible story behind the daring escape of Tadeusz Teodorowicz from communist early 60s Poland to the West, where he began a new life with a young family and became a firm favourite at Swindon before his tragic death in 1964. Here Roman Chyla presents a fascinating follow-up interview with 'Teo's' former wife, Liliana Zajecka-Slonina, who still lives in the Wiltshire town. We also traced Teo's daughter, who was just a few months old when he was fatally injured at West Ham, and reveal the success she has made of her life.

GERRY KING - Unlucky break
Gerry King's story will be familiar to many other aspiring young riders in the 50s whose efforts to make the breakthrough at National League level were severely hampered by a lack of opportunities in the days before the Provincial League created many new available team places. Here we reminisce with a man who once worked for Buster Frogley and Dicky Case and whose rivals for a team place at NL giants Wimbledon included a young Ivan Mauger.

BARRY DUKE Q&A
Long-haired Barry Duke recalls the highs and lows of a career that took in Swindon (1969-71), Weymouth (1968), Rochester/Romford (1969), West Ham (1971), Cradley Heath (1971), Stoke (1974) and Rye House (1975).

Plus . . .

JOHN HYAM on why the handicap system introduced in 1962 had to go.

IAN HOSKINS looking back at injury-riddled days at Edinburgh in the 60s.

Tributes to TONY CHILDS, Polish great WLODZIMIERZ SZWENDROWSKI and JIM
SHEPHERD.

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Issue 23 Winter 2013-14

PETER CRAVEN
Remembered 50 years on

To mark the 50^th anniversary passing of England's only double World Champion.

Featuring:

* Tributes from rivals, friends and supporters.

*Eye-witness accounts of Peter's fatal crash at Edinburgh.

* Ian Hoskins, the man in charge of Craven's last meeting, re-lives every promoter's worst nightmare.

* How Craven's death haunted George Hunter, the 24-year-old Edinburgh No.1 who was leading the race in which Peter was killed.

* Rare, previously unpublished pictures of the Belle Vue legend.

* Aces' memorial meeting. How the modern Aces paid tribute to their fallen hero in 2013.

Plus . . .

Track Tour: New Cross. The rise and fall of the South London Rangers.

More of your special memories - extracts from our forthcoming book, British Speedway Memories.

Your letters.

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ISSUE 24 SPRING 2014

PAIN IT BLACK - THE BIG SPLIT

Turning the clock back half a century, Doug Nicolson and Tony McDonald conduct an in-depth review of the first major watershed in British speedway history - the acrimonious split between the National league and Provincial League that saw second division tracks run 'black' outside the SCB's jurisdiction in 1964 and ultimately led to the formation of the British League a year later. We focus on the main men behind the long-running saga and what they said, the disputes and legal threats that defined this turbulent era, and reflect on the repercussions of the warring factions.

LEGEND: ERIC CHITTY

Eric Chitty, Canada's Captain Fantastic, won three unofficial world championships during the war years and, as John Chaplin recalls, he became a big favourite at West Ham on and off the track.

CYRIL ROGER INTERVIEW

Not that he would admit it, but Cyril Roger was one of England's great post-war discoveries who became a big star and won league titles with three different clubs, Exeter, New Cross and his last club, Southampton, before retiring in 1963. Tony McDonald ventured into rural Kent to catch up with the 92-year-old, oldest living World Finalist and his family.

LEN READ INTERVIEW

At 96, Len Read is one of the sport's oldest living ex-riders. Here, the late starter in speedway, recalls his long-distance travels that took him from Norwich to Singapore, Plymouth to Liverpool.

Q&A WITH DAVE GIFFORD

The New Zealand international made his UK debut for Newcastle at the start of the British League era in 1965 and had six seasons with the Diamonds. When speedway closed at Brough Park at the end of 1970, 'Giffy' spent a season racing in California, before returning to Britain for spells with Wolverhampton, Coatbridge (he was Tigers' No.1 at second division level in 1974) and Berwick, where he had four seasons and then decided to quit in 1978 at the age of 34.

WHITE ROSE HOTSPOT

The sport has known good times and bad at a host of Yorkshire tracks. Here Philip Dalling highlights to two less documented venues in the county, at Wombwell and Lundwood.

PETER CRAVEN by BARRY BRIGGS

Our last issue commemorating the 50^th anniversary of Peter Craven's death went to press just as Barry Briggs was en route to New Zealand, but the four times World Champion was keen to pay tribute to his former friend and rival. We also report on the recent Craven plaque unveiling at Paradise Wildlife Park.

ALF WEEDON

Tribute to a man who has probably photographed more speedway riders and races than any other - Alf Weedon, who died on January 19, 2014, aged 93.

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ISSUE 25 SUMMER 2014

LEGEND: RON JOHNSTON
New Zealand and Belle Vue have known their share of all-time greats. John Chaplin explains why 'daredevil' Ron Johnston should be included among this elite group.

GEORGE MAJOR INTERVIEW

While recovering from a heart attack, much-travelled trackman George Major turned to verse to express his love for speedway racing. Philip Dalling reviews the career of one of the sport's great characters.

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL MATCHES

Doug Nicolson explains why he believes most of Scotland's international Test matches in the 60s were ill-fated.

BOB LEVERENZ

Tony Webb reveals how the Norwich favourite and Australian Test racer was reunited with his beloved speedway machine.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

The TV programme Who Do You Think You Are? traced previous generations for various personalities and not all of them were too pleased with the results. Speedway promotions, too, have family trees and reminding them of their less grand forebears may not necessarily please them either!

BRYAN ELLIOTT

Remembering one of the unsung heroes, a former World Finalist and international who rode for Leicester, Coventry and Halifax.

PETER CRAVEN PLAQUE FOUND

The mystery of the missing Peter Craven plaque is revealed - and how this brass tribute to the 1963 World Champion and Belle Vue icon has now been happily restored to the Meadowbank Sports Stadium in Edinburgh.

TRIO REMEMBERED
Three more special plaques were recently unveiled in the WSRA Memorial Garden at Paradise Wildlife Park. The dedications were for two Australians, former Norwich star Bob Leverenz and 'Piccolo' Peter Moore, and speedway's original 'happy Snapper', ace photographer Alf Weedon.

COLLECTING

He has the autograph of every World Champion and hundreds of other riders, as well as the most comprehensive Swindon photo collection in existence. Tony McDonald went to Wiltshire to meet Swindon Robins historian and author Glynn Shailes and view his impressive 'Swindon Speedway Project'.

Plus . . . tribute to the late TONY CLARKE, your letters, more Mystery Men to try and identify

*Subscribers to Classic Speedway received a FREE GLOSSY PHOTO of Swedish star and 1965 World Champion BJORN KNUTSON FREE with this issue. Take out a subscription today for just £16 a year in the UK and don't miss out.

ISSUE 26 AUTUMN 2014

CLIVE FEATHERBY INTERVIEW

Clive Featherby was as tough as they come on the track but off it this Jekyll and Hyde character is remembered by team-mates as a gentleman. Tony McDonald visited the former Sheffield, Cradley Heath and King's Lynn rider who insists that while he was ruthless, he was not dirty.

Now retired and living in Australia, candid Clive, now 81, also reveals:

*How he earned extra money by helping with track preparation at Sheffield.
*His relationship with promoter Frank Varey and his team-mates.
*Battling for a chance at his local track Norwich.
*The rider he rates as the best ever.
*Fighting in the pits at Oxford with Ronnie Genz.
*Combining racing with a career in the print industry.
*His tangled love life.
*The tragic track death of his son Craig.

PETER WILLIAMS INTERVIEW

Peter Williams experienced the highs and lows of 50s speedway with Belle Vue and admits the Aces' riders were largely shielded from the worst effects of the sport's decline. Philip Dalling caught up with a man who remains steadfastly loyal to the Aces' cause.

BRIAN LEONARD INTERVIEW

One of the unsung heroes at treble-winning West Ham and unable to resist Wembley's offer, Brian Leonard made his mark for two of the capital's biggest clubs. Rob Peasley caught up with a former favourite who was banned 13 times for speeding.

LEGEND: ARCHIE WINDMILL

A 'champion thunder-stealer' rather than a star, long-legged former Wimbledon, Hackney and Walthamstow trier Archie Windmill made his mark on the London speedway scene and, as John Chaplin recalls, famously helped the Dons to win a thriller at Wembley.

REG FEARMAN

Two edited extracts from Reg Fearman's new book, Both Sides of the Fence.
MURDER AT STOKE: A former Stoke rider, Reg revived speedway in the Potteries in 1960. Here he recalls one of the most extraordinary events in his promoting career.
BANKING ON SUCCESS: In 1965, Reg pulled off another successful revival bid when he reintroduced speedway to Halifax.

JACK PARKER PLAQUE

England and Belle Vue legend Jack Parker has finally been honoured in Rugby, the Midlands town where he spent most of his post-war life. We have a report and picture from the Blue Plaque unveiling ceremony.

Plus . . . tributes to MALCOLM SIMMONS and GEOFF BENNETT, your letters and more Mystery Men to try and identify.

*Subscribers to Classic Speedway received a GLOSSY PHOTO of Swedish legend OLLE NYGREN FREE with this issue. Why don't you take out a subscription today for just £16 a year in the UK and be sure to receive your free print.

ISSUE 27 - 2014-15 WINTER EDITION

MIKE BROADBANK INTERVIEW

Just days after celebrating his 80th birthday, MIKE BROADBANK looks back on his brilliant career as a rider, coach and mentor to many others who benefited from his wisdom and experience.

But whichever way you try and analyse Mike's contribution and value to speedway over more than two decades, mere words will never adequately give him the full credit he so richly deserves.

Because beyond the 16 seasons of loyal and distinguished service he gave to his beloved Swindon, the mammoth 4,589 points (inc bonus) he plundered for the Robins in 560 matches, the proud honour of becoming Wembley's last young discovery, his five World Final appearances (plus two as non-riding reserve) and the international call-ups, he gave so much more largely unseen dedication to his sport.

Here 'Broady' recalls:

* His cycle speedway days in his home town of Hoddesdon and the time he earned an ice cream and half a crown from Harringay legend Vic Duggan.

* How he came under the wing of Harringay rider Steve Ison and modelled himself on the Aussie who was tragically killed in a road accident.

* How Dicky Case helped to get him his top flight chance with Wembley Lions.

* Why he received a warning letter from the Wembley management in his pay packet.

* Joining Swindon and becoming the only rider to feature in both the club's 1957 and 1967 league title-winning teams.

* Why being Swindon captain put him at loggerheads with the Robins' management.

* His decision to wear all-red leathers and why it was the making of him, the rider known as the 'Red Devil'.

* The frustration and annoyance at seeing his name repeatedly spelt wrong.

* His near-death experience and the serious injuries that hastened his departure from Swindon.

DAVE LANNING INTERVIEW

A latter day Johnnie Hoskins, DAVE LANNING witnessed a death crash at the very first meeting he attended at Poole in 1948. He became a showman supreme for more than three decades and a hugely influential figure at West Ham throughout their mid-60s golden era. We visited Dave at his Dorset home to get the full story on this respected journalist, TV commentator and one of the sport's most flamboyant promoters, including why he turned down the chance to work for The Beatles.

MENTAL SCARS

We assess the after-effects suffered by riders who survived fatal accidents - in this case, MAURICE 'SLANT' PAYLING, the former Belle Vue, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Long Eaton rider who was killed in action at Norwich in July 1960.

LEGEND: WALLY GREEN

From track raker to World Final hero, we recall the amazing rise of former West Ham and England star WALLY GREEN.

IAN TURNER INTERVIEW

Reluctant hero IAN TURNER, one of the most spectacular and popular riders of his era, explains that he never even dreamed of riding for a team, never mind achieve stardom and win the hearts of all King's Lynn fans.

NEVER DID SAY GOODBYE

With the 2014 season now done and dusted, we hope Scottish fans managed to get along to their final meeting of the year because . . . well, you never know! We look back on the unexpected closure of Old Meadowbank, Glasgow White City and Coatbridge in the late 60s.

COLLECTING

Halifax-based Dukes fanatic JASON WARD discusses some of his most prized possessions, including Arthur Forrest's goggles, a 1949 edition of The Bulletin and a 1969 Dukes racejacket worn by Greg Kentwell.

Plus . . . your letters, tributes to GLYN CHANDLER and HENRYK GLUCKLICH and more MYSTERY MEN to try and identify.

*Subscribers to Classic Speedway received a GLOSSY PHOTO of popular England and King's Lynn superstar TERRY BETTS FREE with this issue. Why don't you take out a subscription today for just £16 a year in the UK and be sure to receive your free print.

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