LES SAWYER

PS.     Hi Les, what year did you first come over to England to race speedway?  
 

LS.  1978

PS.     What year did you retire from racing?
 

LS. 1983

PS.     How did your move to Stoke come about in 1980?   
 

LS.  I stayed with Chris Van Straaten, and I moved to Stoke for Chris.

PS.     Why didn't you stay on at Stoke for the 81 season? 
 

LS. Cradley Heath wanted me to ride for Oxford for the 2nd division team.

PS.     Were you disappointed not to have gone to Wolves with the majority of the 1980 team? 
 

LS. Not really my dedication was for Cradley Heath at the time.

PS.     Any stand out memories from your time at Stoke? 
 

LS. No, just a great experience with a small track, great team mates like the late Tony Boyle, Paul Stead, James Moore etc... 

           PS.     Do you stay in touch with the sport in anyway?   

 LS. Yes, via Foxtel and I raced speedcars 2001-2004 and sprintcars 2004-2007

PS.     What do you do for a living these days? 

LS. Managing director, 2 engineering companies (employ 35 people)

PS. How did your old Halifax track compare to the one at Exeter? 
 

LS. Halifax was very fast, but to me fans were great but I didnt get it together.  Exeter was great time with people who I loved and just felt good with.

PS. Who was your favourite rider? 
 

LS.  Scott Autrey, Bruce Penhall....just too many to name.

PS. What is your favourite memory from your racing days?
 

LS. Beating Bruce Penhall from the back at Claremont Speedway.

PS. Do you stay in touch with any of your old team mates? 
 

LS.No, time just moves on I guess

PS. Who was your toughest opponent? 
 

LS.  All the boys at different times

 
PS. What are the tracks in Australia like compared to the ones in England? 

LS.  Very big.  England small and fantastic.  Thank you England for a very special time in my life.

             With thanks to Les Sawyer  PS.PP 10/6/09.