50 YEARS OF NON-STOP CYCLE SPEEDWAY - 28 January 2012



















In terms of longevity 64-year-old Dave Tulloch has few equals.  Remarkably 2012 marks the Essex racer's 50th consecutive year of competitive cycle speedway.  We couldn't let such a milestone pass without delving deeper into Dave's long and at times colourful cycle speedway career, so we caught up with Dave at his Southminster home for a chat and the chance to pose some questions.  Here's what Dave had to say:

So Dave, tell us how it all began.  How did you first get involved in cycle speedway all those years ago.

After many years from a young age competing in gymnastics, I was looking for something else as a fresh challenge and saw an ad in the local Dagenham Post newspaper that Hawbush Hammers cycle-speedway club was looking for junior riders.  A quick phone call and I met up with Bernie Vickers and others at the Hawbush track one Wednesday evening for an informal chat.  

They told me that the team was racing at Brighton Scorchers that coming weekend and would I like to go?  Would I?  Yes please!!!!  After the first team raced, I was asked if I'd like a second team ride.  So Pete Chubb thrust his bike, gloves and breast plate into my trembling hands and told me that a Johnny Wells would be my race partner!

Who were your early inspirations in those days?

My early inspirations were, funny enough, all gaters.  They fasinated me!  I would always stand by the gates at first team matches to study this art-form.  Those that impressed me were Ken Adams, Barry Dawes, Dave and Ray Chivers etc.  Also on my list were what I thought were class acts like Wally Deighton, Dave Butcher, Vic Hincliffe, Derek Garnett, Graham Fletcher, Mick Curry,etc etc...

















A gater to the end! Another jet-propelled start from the master!

What teams have you ridden for down the years.

Hawbush Hammers, East Ham Stars, Newham Hammers, Estuary Eagles, Thurrock Racers, Basildon Orkans, Wakering Eagles, Colchester and East London.

What's been your proudest moment in the sport?

My proudest moment?  It's the little things that stand out more and none more so than my first trophy in 1963.

... and biggest disappointment?

Many over so many years - but one that still hurts is being left out Thurrock's national team winning squad two years running.  That really hurt!

You must have seen many changes in the past 50 years.  What sticks out in your mind?

There's been so many changes in the sport.  One that really stands out and is still relevant to this day is that my team mate and good friend of over 40 years, Vic Haines, brought into the sport the black track bottoms, Adidas trainers and team shirts that had maybe the riders name and team name on it and done away with breast plates.  Vic was racing in time trials etc on the road and brought that mentality into the Thurrock team.

You must have some funny memories and antedotes?

Hundreds of 'em!  But here's one you might enjoy.  I've titled it - The Day a Giant Almost Ate Me!

A group of us from various teams would get together a couple of times a year and go on racing holidays as Broad Oak.  Around 1968 we had a Norfolk tour booked (five matches in five days!) and made our way to a team called Marsham which was situated in the back end of no where.  All fenland and heather.  Nowadays they'd make horror films there! 

Anyway it was a 7pm start, a nice track, large crowd and PA system.  A rider introduction was called for, so one at a time as our names were given out a one lap dash round the circuit was required. 

When it was Marsham's turn, a giant at least 8ft tall shot down the back straight at 40 miles per hour, broad sided perfectly and beautifully whilst still pedalling, came out of the corner full tilt - and promptly did the same next bend!  Fxxk me I thought to myself (every one else from our team must have thought the same) - I have to race him in a moment. 

His bike was sooo big I couldn't see over the crossbar.  In the meeting that followed I beat him as i was so frightened he would eat me if he caught up!!!!

He later came over and introduced himself as Paul Baxter.  I think around '69sh he rode for Norwich Stars.

The likely lads!  Dave has met some dubious characters during his cycle speedway career!

You have seen and raced with the best.  Who would you say are the best top ten riders you have seen or raced against. 

Top ten riders?  Oh this is a hard one!  So so many I have seen and
raced - Vic Hincliffe, Derek Garnett, Vinny Marsland, the Chivers brothers, Barry Dawes, Ted Cracknall, Roger Ellis, Mike Parkins, John Watchman, Graham Swan, Geoff  Patman, Kelvin Wilson, Dave Hemsley, Vic Haines, Colin Wheeler, Kevin Greenhalgh, Ron Gibbons, just far too many to list.  I saw the very best and raced the very best.

Putting you on the spot - who are the top three?

Easy!  Derek Garnett, simply because he was the best and he did it over a long period of time, Dave Hemsley and Colin Wheeler.

And the best team ever??

Very hard to choose.  Every era has its winners.  Offerton were quite superb as were Uxbridge, Thurrock, Wednesfield, Poole, Leicester, South London etc...

Favourite and least favourite tracks?

Favourites, Estuary, Tottenham, Spixworth, Thurrock.  Least favourite were Wednesfield, Uxbridge, Bow and finally, White City.

Dave in his prime!

Forgive me for saying this but in your prime you were, and still are, one of the most recognisable riders on the national scene, mainly as a result of your distinctive hairstyle. Did you always take pride in your performance?

My hair seemed to create its own fanbase at one time but just to finish a rumour off - I don't have a set of heated rollers track side for after race coiffure sessions!

Pride in performance?  Of course pride comes into my riding.  I was determined in my early formative years of racing in 1963 through to 1966 to be the best gater in the country.  By 1967 I was gating so fast even I couldn't believe it!  I always prided myself on my on track appearance and in the machinery I raced.  I practised for hours every
day and even built a track in a local park where I could practice on my own!

Today you are as well known for your musical talent as you are for cycle speedway.  Tell us a bit about your musical career.

Music has been such a large part of my life since childhood.  It's something I cannot separate from my day to day existence.  Had my first band together in 1960 and still tour and gig to this day.  I now have studied for the past 12 years Tabla with my guru Harkirat singh and play in one of the UK's finest psychedelic bands 'Hoffmans Bicycle'.

Anything you didn't quite achieve in cycle speedway?

Never got a national team winners medal which I always craved!  Looking back honestly, I achieved everything anyone could ever wish for!

Still doing it today.  Dave leading the way at Ipswich.

So what does the future hold for Dave Tulloch?

This year is my last in the sport.  I leave the UK at year's end to live in Greece with my partner Philippa and daughter Eden.  I will be taking a few cycle-speedway bikes with me to keep my hand in so to speak - plus I'm a keen mountain biker so I'll have time on my hands to ride most days.  I will also get together a Greek music fusion band as i simply cannot play music!

Can I just thank a few people who, over the years, helped me in no small way to become a better rider.  Bill Gill for his belief in me and my abilities.  Vic Haines for making me take a more professional approach to racing.  Mr Ted Stevens of East Ham and Newham for his unswerving devotion in what I could achieve on track.  Pete Fraser who saw a raw talent and helped me no end at Hawbush.  Jack 'Tiger' South who saw that too, along with Denny Winch.

Editor's Note - What a wonderful journey Dave has enjoyed over the past 50 years.  Thank you so much Dave for sharing your thoughts and memories with Spokesman readers.  We'll certainly miss you around the tracks.

Whatever you do, make 2012 the very best of your 50 remarkable years in cycle speedway. 

And readers, when you meet Dave around the tracks this year, make a special point of congratulating him on his amazing career, wish him well in his future life in Greece and finally - tell him to get his bloody haircut!!!!

KEVIN GREAVES RETURNS AFTER BREAK OF 20 YEARS - posted 10 January 2012

In the Eighties, the name Kevin Greaves was well known in Manchester and Bristol cycle speedway circles.  

Kevin was one of the most respected team racers of his day and quite an accomplished individual racer.  He reached the English League Riders final, a great achievement in those days, as well as finishing second to Lee Williams in the local league individual championship, so Kevin was handy to say the least.

John Walters, Kevin Greaves (number 7) and Andy Collett in action at Spytty Leisure Centre

He retired from competitive racing 20 years ago, in 1991, when he moved to Chester before moving on to Hereford in 1995.  Then, surfing the internet one evening last year, he stumbled across a well-known cycle speedway website, only to find that a big local derby match was taking place in Newport.  Kevin went along and was immedaitely bitten again by the cycle speedway bug.

Now at the grand old age of 54 (he celebrates his 54th birthday on 29 January), Kevin has made a dramatic return to the saddle for Newport.

We couldn't miss the opportunity of asking Kevin that simple question "Why?", look back on his previous career and compare cycle speedway today to the sport 20 years ago. 

Here's what Kevin had to say.

                                                        *****
My first experience of cycle speedway proper was blundering across a track on the outskirts of Stockport with a couple of mates, after a chance conversation with Mr Bednall, a local cycle shop owner.

After tearing round the track, we realised we'd been joined by this old boy who duly proceeded to pound around the track relentlessly. Well, being all of 13-years-old and obviously at the peak of human perfection, we challenged the newcomer to a few laps.  By pure fluke the old boy won, so deciding we'd under-estimated the fellow, we made him try his luck from the outside grid promising we wouldn't go so easy on him this time. Blow me the old bugger left us for dead!

Deciding we'd taught the guy too well, we called it a day. Before leaving he took our names and offered his "Derek"......."Derek Garnett", the current British champion no less.

New Mills circa 1977
Back row - Andy Oakes, Paul Dowell, Kevin Greaves, Pete Bennett, John Kelly
Front row - John Chadwick, Ian Delve, Graham Stanton, Alan Hodgson, Phil Dent
Mascot - Doug Greaves (incidentally now the proud father of five children!)

Later, in 1974, I formed a junior team, Woodley Wolves, utilising the defunct Bredbury Bees track which was reputedly the track Dave Blinston scored his one and only maximum.  From there I joined up with New Mills Eagles at Wirksmore Road where I won the club championship on numerous occasions plus various individual cups and team events.

In 1984 I moved south and signed for Bristol, riding alongside Geoff Patman, Allan Miller and Mike Burgess.  I remember taking third place in the Bristol club championships, second in the local league individuals to Lee Williams, second in the averages and qualifying for the English League finals.

Kevin Greaves and Mike Burgess in the distinctive colours of Bristol, racing wheel-to-wheel at Newport's Spytty Leisure Centre.

I retired from the sport in 1991 moving to Chester before moving to Hereford four years later.  Now I ride for Newport and I am really looking forward to the 2012 season.

Not surprisingly, Kevin has seen some significant changes since his earlier racing days.

"No bash hats, no riders licence, no liability, no fences, Josh Gleave on
the centre green - no rules.  I once took issue with Mr Gleave on some finer point of refereeing a match.  He duly offered me a copy of the cycle speedway rules book stating if I could find it, he'd implement
it. On opening the outer sleeve I discovered all the pages torn out!  "Point taken Josh" - thwarted again by the old chiseling git.

"I suppose I was spoilt when I first entered the sport in the Stockport and Manchester League aged 14 or 15.  I used to pedal to most of my matches since most venues were within a 11 mile radius of my home address. A couple of years later, riding for New Mills Eagles first team, junior team, second division and Autumn League, I was sometimes racing three or four matches a week. It seemed an epic journey to race Woodside Diamonds in Halifax for a First Division match, some 30 miles away.

"I recall an emergency league meeting held at the old Peacock Street School, with dire concerns about the price of petrol breaking the £1.00 a gallon barrier.  There was Dave (Blinner) Blinston running round "dont panic dont panic" Corporal Jon"es mode for most of the evening!

"Local junior four-man team events lasted whole days, such was the depth of abundant talent in the Manchester area at that time.  Just qualifying from the area to the last 64 for the Finals Weekend was a
challenge then, something that became a virtual stroll in
the park when I rode for Bristol in 1984 in the Southern softie league!

"The track surfaces generally seem looser now, no where near as fast as some of the venues I rode 20 years ago.  Not enough binding clay in the mix in my opinion.  Sports grants appear to of thrown a lifeline to the remaining clubs these days, bikes are so expensive.  Modern training shoes are crap.  I cannot for the life of me find decent leather upper, gum rubber sole trainers anywhere.

"And finally I hate these 10-year-old dwarfs peddling past me when I'm having a bad day" said Kevin with a smile.

                                                  *****************

A chance discussion with a well-known cycle speedway personality at the indoor championship proved to be a true revelation.  Not only is Bob Prince a Cycle Speedway Commissioner and arguably the best cycle speedway referee in the game but he earns his living as a cycling coach, specialising in BMX and cycle speedway.  This was a fascinating story just waiting to be told, so we pressed Bob into telling us more.  Here's what he had to say..
















CYCLE COACHING IS MY LIFE - posted 17 December 2011

Doom and gloom pervaded the atmosphere in the workshop.  For months now the work had been drying up and future orders were scant.
 
On Friday 6 February 2009, Bob Prince was called into the office to see the managing director.  

"Sorry mate, he said, but we have got to let you go.  We cannot afford to carry on trading so we are shutting the business down.  We will give you excellent references and we are sure you will soon get fixed up with another job."

Bob picks up the story

"Not again, I said to myself.  I’d only been in this job for two years after being made redundant from my last job.  This makes it six redundancies now in my working life.  I don’t think I can face the prospect of another long trawl through the situation vacant columns, or attending Job Centre interviews where some spotty faced kid tells me to apply for any menial little job, with low pay, that just happens along.

"So, I look in the mirror, and I say to the depressed face staring back at me “What now?”

"Well, I was due to travel to Australia in a couple of weeks time for the cycle speedway World Championships.  After that, then what?  Well, I said to myself, what do you enjoy doing?  I like riding my bike.  Ok.  So can you get someone to pay you for riding your bike? Not unless I can get some sort of qualification that is recognised by British Cycling and local government.  Ok, so get qualified.  Enrol on coaching course and get the paperwork that says you can coach and teach people to ride.

"So I did.

"I then attained a first aid qualification and got CRB clearance.  I passed the coaching course with the highest marks possible, with no referrals.  It took me six months of hard graft and determination, but I did it.  I was now the proud owner of a Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Cycling.  I followed this up by attaining qualifications with the Department of Transport which would enable me to work for local authorities, teaching kids to ride their bikes safely on the roads.
"Pinch me someone, this is manna from heaven!!

"Well so far so good.  But how can you put yourself in a position that people beat a path to your door to employ you?  BMX.  BMX?  Yes, BMX.  This cycling discipline is really taking off.  There’s a £650,000 track that’s just been built in Birmingham.  They only have one qualified coach.  If they only have one coach, surely they will need at least one more to cope with the expected demand?  Yes, but I know nothing about BMX racing.  Well learn!

"Having talked myself into it, I enrolled on the next available BMX Level 2 course, which took place at the new indoor track up in Manchester.  Wow, fish out of water or what?  There were fourteen would be BMX coaches on the course.  Four of these where ex professional BMX racers, another three are elite riders!!

"I soon got the hang of pumping and bunny hopping!  Manualing was difficult but riding a berm was simple!  These are techniques that enable riders to race faster.  I did OK....

"I completed the course work and delivered the statutory six coaching sessions in record time and five weeks after the course ended I became a Level 2 BMX coach.

"What next?  Cycle Speedway of course!  What with coverage of the sport on Sky television and the introduction of a fully recognised cycle speedway coaching qualification, the sport promises to be the next big craze.  So, along with ten other suitably minded people, I attended the inaugural cycle speedway specific Level 2 coaching course at Astley and Tyldesley.  All my course work is complete and as soon as I deliver the statutory six sessions, and the course work is assessed, I will become unique in as much as I will be the only person to hold both Cycle Speedway and BMX coaching qualifications.

"I now coach at Birmingham BMX track and I am the resident coach in a sports academy in a local high school.

"For those of you who haven’t grasped it yet, the point I am trying to make is that anyone who is determined enough can turn their lives around.  Cycling is crying out for experienced and qualified coaches.  Cycle speedway deserves qualified coaches to enhance its reputation and credibility. 

"Our young riders deserve the best coaching they can get to help them reach their goals.  Look at me.  I am now being paid to ride my bike.  Pinch me please!!" smiled Bob.

DANIEL PUDNEY
ONCE A SKIDKID - ALWAYS A SKID KID - posted 4 November 2011

Former World cycle speedway champion, Daniel Pudney (pictured) lines up for a crack at his sixth Australian title this weekend. At 28 years of age, some of the spring may have gone out of his legs, but Daniel is fairly confident that brain power might just give him the edge over some of his younger rivals.

Australia's leading cycling website, Cycle Sport News editor Peter Ford, who has a close working relationsship with Spokesman-Online, caught up with Daniel earlier today and forwarded the following informative interview to Spokesman for publication.

CSN: New house. Recent marriage. Are your priorities starting to change, and how are these impacting on your cycling career?
Pud: Yes living in the new house now.  I did take some time away last year to focus on this and yep, finally married Deb this year. Luckily for me, cycle speedway still allows me to have a good home life.

CSN:   Do you reach a point where the old “drive” or spark to be the best begins to dwindle?
Pud: To be honest I did loose a lot of that 'drive' and building the house probably gave me excuse for some time off.

CSN: You have achieved everything there is to achieve in the sport. How do you keep yourself motivated?
Pud: After going to USA last minute in April and finishing third in the individual has given me enough motivation to do better and push on. The sport in Australia is very competitive at the moment.

CSN:  Have you lost your invincibility, your winning edge?
Pud: When I head out to the gate I know I may not be what I was a few years ago, but I still have the track smarts to do well.

CSN:  How hard is it to keep plugging away, with the next generation of “Daniel Pudneys” breathing down your neck?
Pud: I don't mind 'plugging' away (at the moment). I've achieved a lot in my time. I quite enjoy racing against these lads who are leading the way!(rather than breathing down my neck).

CSN: How many Australian championships have you won, and when?
Pud: Australian titles won 2003, 04, 05, 06 and 2008

CSN: Will you be the champion in 2011?
Pud: I would love another title, but it will be a tough match at Salisbury.  A lot of riders perform well there. I will be pleased with a spot on the podium.

CSN: What sort of training do you do at this stage of your career?
Pud: Training hasn't really changed a lot for me. I still only do track practise one night a week and regular club racing on weekends. Obviously I increase the work load leading up to World championships.

CSN: What is your confidence like going into these championships?
Pud: Last month’s 'Brian Herd Invitational’ gave me some confidence, after having a run-off race with Cody Chadwick for first and second. Cody was a well deserved winner, and I'm happy with my result.

CSN: Who do you see as your main competition on Saturday?
Pud: Last year’s winner Ty Geertson and local champ Cody Chadwick would have to named as main competition, but I expect a strong field of riders.

CSN: How will having Mick Harley (a bit of a purist) refereeing on Saturday impact on the Championships?
Pud: You always ride to the referee’s tolerance, and the best rider on the day always shines through.

CSN: Are you expecting a rough and tumble affair, or will the whole thing be played out “by the books”?
Pud:  The Aussie title always has its share of rough and tumble. - hopefully all that happens behind me!

CSN: The World championships return to Adelaide in 2013. Do you expect you will be still around and competitive in two years?
Pud: I’ve committed myself to a competitive 2012 leading up to the Worlds in 2013. I expect it will be my last serious crack at the world title again.

CSN: Are many Australians getting the opportunity to ride with clubs in the UK, and if not, will this have a big effect on the growth of the sport in this country?
Pud: I only know of a couple of riders getting a ride for UK based teams, but only a few matches. I believe there would be a lot more, myself included, if we weren't so far away and the costs involved.

CSN: What makes cycle speedway so special for Daniel Pudney?
Pud: Cycle speedway is something I got into as a kid. I've spent countless hours racing around an oval track, pushing hard to be the best everytime I compete. Although still an amateur sport, everyone involved treats it as more than that, especially come World championship time. Once a skidkid always a skidkid!

209 RACES 204 WINS - INTRODUCING JACK CHAPLIN - posted 27 October 2011

The British Youth and Junior League has proved a wonderful platform to develop our younger riders.  One rider to benefit is Jack Chaplin.  The naturally gifted youngster from Ipswich has really taken the junior ranks by storm this year, amazingly winning 204 of the 209 races he competed in at all levels in the under-10s and under-11 ranks, culminating in a magnificent victory in the national under-10s final at Hethersett where, of course, he went through the card unbeaten.

Jack's is a remarkable story especially when you consider he olny took up the sport less than two years ago.  Halfway through the 2009 season, Jack, just eight at the time, was invited along to a training session at Ipswich by a family friend.  When he got there, he was immediately put on a junior Archie and started to ride around. Half an hour into the session, Ipswich coach Dave Hill decided to do timed flying laps. Everyone had a go and after Jack had done his stint, Dave came across to Jack's dad Mike and said “He’s quick.”

Dad Mike didn’t think much of it at the time.  It was at Norwich where Jack had his first competitive race, a regional round of the BYJL. He rode very well, over coming his nerves to finish third in the C final. As the season progressed he got progressively quicker and was able to improve on his final BYJL position.

The highlight of his opening season came at Sheffield in the final round of the Nationals when Jack finally reached his first A final. Out against tough opposition including Harrison Bacon and the youngster leading the under 8’s BYJL at the time, Sean Bennett, Jack seemed totally unphased as he raced he raced his socks off and got his first A final win, managing to pip Sean to the tapes for the second he time that day.

In 2010 Jack stepped up to the under 10’s.  His supportive parents decided early on to enter him for as many races as he could.  Once again Jack proved to be very competitive, improving gradually throughout the season. In June Team Chaplin decided to enter him into the British under-10’s championship, just for the experience and to see how he did. He qualified with little effort to get into the final at Hull and ended up joint sixth.

It was just after the race that the newly crowned under-10 British champ George Horsley came up to Jack and said “You will win this next year.”  That was it!!!  It was Jack wanted to do.  To be British under-10s champion.  He trained harder than ever for the rest of the season and through the closed season, concentrating on his starts and building his legs up for 2011.

Dad Mike picks up the story.

"At the start of the 2011 season we had no idea what lay ahead. We had built him a bike made from an aluminium Dolan track frame that had to be modified to suit his height and the wider tyres.   Various other components were purchased from Ebay and Archie Wilkinson to bolt on."

It soon  became apparent that Jack was faster than anyone had expected. Again his parents entered him for every race he could enter at under-10 and under-11 level. He even entered some under-13 and was selected to ride in the SE Youth under-16 team. It seemed he was winning just about everything!
 
In the first regional round of the BYJL, he managed to win every race in the heats to get into the A final, but a slip at turn one put him in second place to the very quick Norwich rider Mason Parkins. This seemed to make him even more determined to succeed and reach his goal of becoming the British champ.

Again Mike picks of the story

"The only way we could gauge how quick he was would be to see how he performed at the first BYJL national round.  At this stage there were four dominant riders in each region Jack, Sean Bennett, Dan Price and Adam Turnbull, and on that day they all made the A final. The word nervous does not come close to describe how I felt on the side of the track as I awaited the tapes to go up. But I soon realised I had nothing to worry about as Jack won the A final several lengths in front of the other three. Roll on the British Championships!" said Mike eagerly.

"Well the day of the British championships came and even after knowing how well Jack was doing in the national rounds there was one rider I was nervous about Jack meeting, Mason Parkins.  He seemed very quick at the first round of the nationals and Jack hadn’t raced him since. But true to form Jack was able to beat him in qualifying and after a hard battle was able to beat him in the final (see pic below).

















Needless to say Jack won the championship, being the only rider to go through the whole day unbeaten and making all his hard work worthwhile. The emotion on his face when he realised he had won was a sight I will never forget.  He even cried with joy as he came into the pits. It meant everything to him" recalled Mike.

The rest of the season continued along the same lines.  Jack also won all the local competitions at under-10 and under-11 age groups including the South East under-10’s Grand Prix, the Suffolk under-11’s Grand Prix, the Suffolk under-10 individual championship and the East Anglian under-10 championships. He also was the most outstanding rider in the BYJL winning more points than any other rider in any category. 

At the end of all his races this year he has clocked up 204 wins out of 209 races which goes to show goes to show what hard work and determination can do.

Dad Mike summed it up nicely.

"Although we have taken him to every training session and race meeting this season, it is through his own hard work, effort and the help of the coaches and other riders that has got him to where he is now, for which we are all very grateful.  

"He is now looking forward to 2012 where once again he will be moving up an age group into the under 12’s and he can’t wait  to race against George Horsley, Will Tidbull and Pierce Bacon.  Needless to say he will be training hard through the closed season to try to get faster and stronger, so watch out boys, Jack Flash is on the prowl!" said Mike with a confident but satisfied smile.

ANDY ANGELL - BRITISH CHAMPION - posted 3 September 2011

Andy Angell became the new British champion in the most exciting of circumstances.  In a dramatic finish, he, and a 500 plus crowd, has to wait what seemed like an eternity for the referee’s decision, after the 23-year-old from Hull, clashed with Horspath rival Chris Osborne on the final bend of the last heat.  The race was awarded and Angell was crowned the champion.  It was a remarkable moment in cycle speedway history.  So Spokesman-Online asked Andy to relive that memorable day.  This is what he had to say.

Before we talk about Monday’s final, how did you first get involved in cycle speedway?

Purely by accident funnily enough.  When I was 12, my grandad used to take me to the Humber Bridge Country Park on my BMX every Saturday morning.  One day we decided to venture a bit further and found the track.  Every week he timed me around the track on my BMX, not knowing any racing went on there, until one week club secretary Andy Schofield was there painting, and said "We have a match tomorrow, come down and watch".  I raced in the Combination match afterwards and have raced ever since.  Guess I caught the fever!!!

Which clubs have you raced for?

I have raced for Hull every year since Ii started.  My first Premier League club was Astley and Tyldesley, and since then Sheffield Stars.

Many congratulations Andy on becoming the 2011 British champion.  How do you feel?  Has it sunk in yet?

It still doesn't feel right.  I’m waiting to wake up one morning and find the white shirt gone!!!  The last time I won a major competition was in the Midland and North under-19 championship, but even that was nothing close to winning the British! 

You made a great start, winning you first three races. What was your game-plan for Monday's final?

My plan was always to win my first three rides.  You must win your grid one in any competition.  Not knowing a lot about Neil Hollebon, I thought I might be able to win my grid two with Neil off one.  My first grid three was the one i was worried about.  With Jewkes on one and Adam Peck on two, that was always going to be hard, but it just kind of fell into place!  After that I had banked two seconds, to finish on 18, a second
behind Chris Timms off a grid three, and a second behind Mark Boaler off grid four, but ended up with a third and a win, so still finished with 18.  As we all know cycle speedway rarely goes to plan!!!

You were two points clear of the field at the halfway stage.  Then you
finished third to Chris Timms and Tom Reed in heat 15.  That must have put you under a lot of pressure?

Yes, the pressure was really on.  I knew once I had finished third I had to pull something out of the bag off my grid four, which is never easy!!!

Then came that remarkable last race - the one you had to win to be
champion.  Up against defending champion Mark Boaler and off grid four to boot.  That's a big ask for anyone.  Did you really think you could win that one?

I did not plan to win that race.  I thought Mark would gate over grid one and two and my plan was to follow him around and slot in for second, maybe having a go at passing him around the track.  Instead I put in what must have been the gate of my life and found myself gating over him to follow Chris Osborne into second!

When you clashed with Chris Osborne on the very last bend of the very last race and Boaler sped part you, did you think you had blown it?

Last bend drama.  Andy Angell sweeps inside on the last bend

I really wasn't too sure.  I knew for a fact that I had been brought down by Chris Osborne’s leg.  However there was contact in the bikes, so some say it might have been a ram.  In my eyes Mark was catching me and quickly, and Chris had been warned by the referee to speed up and race away on numerous occasions.  Going down the last straight, because of the speed we was travelling, Mark was catching and fast.  As I glanced back, there was a moment of panic.  I thought I had to switch my line on Chris and cut to his inside, otherwise Boaler would have done that to me and I would end up with nothing.  I think the referee took that into account when he made his decision, but even thinking that, nothing is certain until the referee made his decision and the result was announced!!!

Nail biting finish - Andy Angell and Mark Boaler await the referee's decision

Then when the race was awarded, you became very emotional.  What was going through your mind at the time?

I have not a lot of idea what was running through my mind.  It’s very hard to explain.  After the last two months which have been so hard, I guess emotion just took over!  It is by far the greatest thing i have ever accomplished.  I never really believed it would be me that won it.  Even at half time after my first three wins, with my two hardest races to go, I still never believed i would win it. With so much lying on the last race, it was a tense few minutes.

That champion feeling!  The referee's decison is announced.  Andy Angell is the new national champion

You rushed over to your family and friends on the back straight.  What part have they played in your success?

They have been very supportive throughout, not just the last few weeks, but over the entire season.  I am very grateful for all the support and help they have given me.

You always seem to do well at Eaton Park.  Earlier in the year you won the coveted Norwich Grand Prix, so why does it seem to suit your style so well.

I do not have a lot of idea why it suits me, to be fair.  The Norwich team worked tirelessly on the track in preparation for the British, and it was noticed with a superb amount of grip in the track!  I think my bike works well on that track as well.  i have a lot of trust in the Maxxis front tyre.  Tthere must be a reason that the majority of Polish riders use this set up, and it works for me!!!

We have heard a lot about how hard you try but for the benefit of our
readers, what does it involve, how often do you train and what training do you do.

I train a lot, mainly because I enjoy being on my bike, but the last four weeks have been the hardest.  I’ve been going to the track four or five nights a week and obviously racing on a Sunday, but I’ve also going to the gym three mornings a week to strengthen the upper body (which I feel has enhanced my gate somewhat ) so that’s also disrupted the Mother with the early starts – and the Mrs!

As British champion, you'll be invited to British Cycling's champion's
dinner alongside the likes to Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton.  What
would you tell them is the best thing about cycle speedway.

I think if i was to describe cycle speedway to anyone, it would be something along the lines of what an exciting sport it is, due to the no brakes and the level of contact involved!!!

Being British champion must be a dream.  What other cycle speedway
aspirations do you have?

Well when I was in America, I thought the height of my career was winning the World Cup, with four great riders!   I thought nothing would top that feeling, until Monday!!!  I think winning the British has to be one of the best competitions you can win!   Whether I go on to win five more, or no more, I will never forget the feeling of Monday!!!

Finally Andy, the one question everyone is asking!!!   One L or two LLs???

Two LLs (smiling broadly!)

Editor's Note - Our thanks to Venture Video for allowing us to publish the above pics from their video out-takes.

LEICESTER LADIES ARE WORLD CLASS - posted 5 August 2011

In their class Leicester Ladies have been heralded as the best team of all-time.  Their dominance over the Women's game is remarkable.  




Not content to rest on their laurels, the Leicester lasses seems to be getting better and better.  So how do they do it?  Spokesman caught up with the man responsible - Nick Whitehead.  Here's what he had to say.

I just want to say how proud I am of the Leicester girls team.  The likes of Lucy, Amy, Michelle in the team, who have all won championships, gives us the experience that a championship-winning team needs.  With Lauren Davies only in her second year and proving to be a handful to any girl out there, I would definitely put my odds on her taking the under-16 girls in August and be a big threat for the Women's.

Don't forget that Jenna missed out this year because she is expecting her baby boy in September, no doubt another cycle speedway rider for the future, but she will be back next year making the team stronger than this year's team.

Then we have Chloe Whitehead who scored two points for us this year and getting the experience she needs to hopefully be a title challenger for the under-10's in August.  She will have a good chance in the individual this year. I think the Women's individual will definitely be between the Leicester girls and Lauren Jacobs on the day but you can
never predict what will happen, so let's just wait and see.  It's a match is not to be missed.
 
The girls always ride well in this competition but this year was our biggest win to date.  Yes, there was no Rachel Edge and Jess Lamb but we don't pick the competition.  We just race it and always try to put a good show on for the crowd, as we have done for six years now.

Firstly, many congratulations Lukasz on being World champion.  How does that feel?

Thank you. It feels as if someone would lift a massive weight off my shoulders. I know it will take some time to sink in, I'm getting used to it for now.
 
The championship went down to the wire and you had to win a tie-break to take the title.  Tell us about that race.

Run offs, hate them!  Never ever have luck in them, so I knew what to expect. In the last ten years or so, 





I've had about 15 run offs, in the World Cups, World Pairs, European championships and World individuals, and won just one, the only time I was on the inside, so my odds weren't good. 

This time though it was different. I felt so much more assured that this was mine, I didn't feel any pressure. I was just waiting for the right moment to make the move and I was sure this was the only move I could have make.
 
You finished on 18 points.  Who beat you in the final?

Dan Pudney just about held me on the line, and then Binky, with a little help from Bob Prince.  I just had to sit for second in that one as ref didn't want any team riding, I was kind of happy with the second anyway.
 
We hear that you have put in an enormous amount of work over the winter .  What's your routine been like?

To be fair, it didn't feel as intense as other winters. I started a bit later than usually, about last week of November, and carried on through the winter. I've had a week off at Christmas. I must admit that first time ever I did a proper gym workout and I felt much stronger, and didn't have the tiredness that usually arrives at the beginning of the season. I must thank Rod, my trainer at Abbey Sports and Leisure for his work on my fitness.
 
It's Not About the Bike was the famous title of Lance Armstrong's autobiography.  But your bike is something special.  Tell us about it and do you really believe it gave you an advantage?

We talked about it a lot in the US. There is a big debate going on and I don't want people to get angry with me. I said it before and will stand my ground on it, the traditional speedway wheels don't have advantage anymore over the 26" mtb wheels. 

I believe that they have had some kind of edge in the past when many tracks surface used to be much smoother and harder, with less rolling resistance. Nowadays most tracks are rough and to some degree slippery, and it gives us, mtb wheelers a little bit more confidence. 

As for my bike, it was a missing link. Unbelievable bonus to have someone like Lynskey as a main sponsor. Not only gave me the frame I've won the title on, they have made another one and sent it to me while I was in Edenton just in case I crash and break it. I'm also lucky enough to have the greatest rim manufacturer, DT Swiss as my rim supplier, and Tarty Bikes as the freewheel source. I also discovered another tyre for speedway which is made by Charge Bikes and is called Splashback 1.8.
 
Holding the Worlds in the USA was a controversial decision.  What are you thoughts on that?

Again subject of many heated discussions over last two weeks. Initial thought was, that it's great to see new continent on the map, America offers unlimited possibilities. 

When we first arrived over there all the boys were so disappointed, Aussies were near tears. I sort of curbed my enthusiasm before I set off.  I knew it will not be anywhere near the standards we are used to in the UK, but to see what we did at the start was alarming. 

There were issues with almost every aspect of the track, no outside kerb, no racing surface, no proper toilets and the biggest of them all the starting posts were on the track! Aussies didn't waste any time and got the track to the best possible state, and Steve and Lee helped with the tapes, as the racing went on, spirits were higher and the bad image from first few days was long gone.
 
There is still the feeling of doubt over the future of the sport over there. The worst thing about the whole escapade was that there just wasn't enough domestic riders. There was Cody Eaves, and that was basically it. Other riders looked like they were brought in from the streets. They didn't hang out after the racing was finished, didn't watched any racing at all, which is the main reason why we were there. 

The main man has got an amazing enthusiasm, and he believes it can be done. Brian White is an unbelievable person and his attitude is the most positive thing, and our best hope that this trip isn't going to be a biggest waste of time.
 
Rewinding the clock - how did you first become involved in cycle speedway.

I used to live near the Wroclaw Olympic stadium where Sparta used to race. I could hear the bikes from my house.  Everytime I did, I was on my way on my bike to watch them practice. They were dozens of kids like me.  We started pretend to be those riders racing on our bikes. 

Speedway was getting really big in the 90s, Wroclaw won three league titles in a row and in that time all the kids from my school were racing on primitive backyard tracks. There was an advert appeared on one of the speedway weekly magazines, that Rawicz club was doing some organised racing with clubs from Leszno and Gniezno participating as well.  We didn't even know there was a sport called cycle speedway.
 
Why did you come to the UK and why did you decided to make Leicester your home?

First time I came over for the 2001 European Club Championships at Great Blakenham, when I was racing for the Rawicz club. I loved the British way of racing and I wanted to come over for longer. At the end of the season I asked Dave Murphy to put a word forward for me to any clubs interested. I knew that I wasn't a popular rider.  I didn't ride in the national team back then because I wasn't good enough yet, so I was over the moon when Rob Carter rang me one evening and wanted me to come over and do a season for Horspath. 

After three very succesful seasons at Horspath I decided to move to Leicester. I don't know why I chose Leicester. I felt my time was over at Oxford, although I owe them a lot.  I couldn't see myself riding for them anymore, didn't feel part of the team, and also wanted to get away from the lifestyle we were leading at that time.
 
Your beautiful wife Magda is often by your side at events.  Has she been big support to you?

Oh yes. She deserved that world title more than I did. She's behind all the promotional stuff that we do, all the videos, photos, portfolios, in fact every sponsor that we have is thanks to Magda. 



She's a very understanding wife of a sportsman, never gives me any grief for not being at home often enough, and is always there to pick up the pieces when I have a bad day. I'm a lucky guy.
 
There's a joke going round that the only time Britain will ever have a World champion is if Lukasz Nowacki becomes a British citizen.  Any chance of that?

That joke wouldn't be funny to riders like Andy Angell and Lee Aris. I don't agree with it. I think there are great times to come for England. You are the World Cup winners and you deserved it.  Every one in that team rode brilliantly and to be fair all of them were capable of winning the individuals. And there's about ten of others that didn't go. 

As for me becoming British? I enjoy riding, living and working in the UK. I love the British way of life and the sense of humour. I am eligible for the passport, and would love to ride in the British Championships. I spent most of my adult life in Britain and to be fair I feel part British, and don't really need a passport to feel that way.  I'm not going to rule it out, but for now there is no rush.

One more thought. I think the main reason why Britain doesn't have an individual champion for so long is due to the racing season being constructed around team racing. I undesrtand that this the core of racing over here, and it gives racing to more riders, but I reckon there isn't enough individuals over the season, with the big one being British Finals.  There was the GP, no longer running. 

The last champion, Dave Hemsley was an exceptional individual rider, and I believe this was his trade.  He was brought on countless individual tournaments, and was similar to me in admiring individual racing, as it shows true potential of the riders better than the team racing does.
 
Britain's best was veteran Steve Harris who finished sixth.  Clearly the Poles and Aussies still dominate the individual scene.

Individual scene is so much diffrent to what is going on in the sport. Results don't give it enough justice. Individual finals have that draw factor and if you don't have a good one you just go past the meeting unnoticed. As I said above, I think Poles prefer to ride in individuals.  

Our abilities are based on speed, fitness and power, while a lot of Brits and Aussies add experience into that.  What makes them great competitors is in the team events, but they might not be selfish enough to have that determination to save themselves for the individuals.
 
Do you see any British prospects coming through who could be real title contenders in the years to come?

There is a great number of British riders at the moment. I love racing against the young guns, I like their attitude and want to beat them as much as they want to beat me. It gives me motivation for week in week out racing, not only just for the big events I train for. I think Tom Reed has what it takes to be unbeatable, he just has to eliminate those gate exclusions.  

Chris Timms is riding awesome at the moment, while Mark Carmichael could do with a bit more attitude and grit, as he is a very clever rider. I would like to see Marcus to get his act together and get motivated again, he has the best gate in the world. There are others like Angell, Heard, Stephenson, Beharrell all of them capable to beat any rider in the world.
 
The next Worlds will be in Australia in two years time.  Do you aim to defend your title?

I want to go. I wasn't planning to go. I don't know if I would have gone if I wouldn't win. It's just such a pain to arrange the whole year around it with holidays and finances, it gets really difficult. I'm also struggling for grip over there, I never really mastered any of their tracks, but I'm not going to give it away.  I will put on a fight and would love to get the World Cup back too.