2005 NEWS

PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND Tuesday 22nd November 2005 By Evening Gazette
Teesside's Gary Havelock has revealed how he prevented England team-mate Simon Wigg getting a pasting in Prague. The young Havvy was an international newcomer at the time - and it was Lions skipper Wigg who was supposed to be looking out for him! Eaglescliffe-born Havelock - who still lives in Marton - is one of ten world champions to pay tribute to Wigg in a new book about the speedway and long track legend who died of a brain tumour at the age of 40 in 2000.

In Wiggy!, written by prospective Redcar and Cleveland promoter Gareth Rogers, Havvy - who is soon to reveal his plans for 2006 - says: "Simon was normally a great ambassador and got on with everybody. He did have his moments, however. On one World Team Cup trip to Prague, I remember coming out of the lift door at our hotel and seeing some bloke with his knee on Simon's throat while punching him at the same time. I dragged the guy off and pushed Simon into the lift. It appeared Simon had been trying to sort out a confrontation and it all ended up in a massive brawl. I rescued him, when he was supposed to be keeping an eye on me!”

Wiggy was something of a Cleveland Park specialist and in the book he tells the story behind his 21-point maximum there during his days as a Weymouth rider. The book also contains more than 200 photographs, many from the Wigg family's own previously unpublished archives, widow Charlie's heart-rending account of Simon's last weeks, plus tributes from other close friends, former team-mates, rivals, managers and supporters. A donation from every copy sold will go to Wiggy's children Abigail and Ricki.

YOU can order your copy direct from Retro Speedway for £15.99 (post-free) by phoning their credit card hotline on 01708 734 502, or via www.retro-speedway.com
 

JANUARY FOR LEAGUE DECISION Thursday 15th December 2005 by Jason Pipe
We have been told this evening that a decision on what league we will race in next season, will be made in January. This is due to seeing how much work can be done on building the track before then and a much clearer picture will then develop on whether it will be ready in time for us to fit in a full season of Premier League racing.
 
Either way, Speedway is coming back to this area after a 9 year gap and we should all look forward to that no matter what league we will be racing in.