A nice sunny afternoon in deepest Lincolnshire, chatting over a few drinks with the Legend that is Martyn Brand, when suddenly I remember my nice new Superstox.org.uk clipboard, so whats a girl to do! Mind if I ask you a few questions Martyn?
TA- when did you first start racing?
MB- 1969 in Brisca F2, my 1st meeting was at kings Lynn but I didn’t get on very well, couldn’t see for s**t in my eyes!
TA- how did things go from then on?
MB- well my best result was making the world final grid at Wembley, in I think 1974? I started way back but was working my way up when my battery lead came off!
TA- after a brief spell racing at Boston, then back to F2’s, you changed to the Spedeworth superstox in 1978 and won the World final twice, 1st in 1987 at Kaldenkerchen and then again the following year at Eastbourne
MB- we broke down on the way to Eastbourne! Got there eventually but had missed practice, I went out for the lap times and just before I started mine I did a half shaft so had to pull onto the centre green where I was allowed to change it, much to the disgust of some people (laughs). I got 3rd on the grid, which I was happy with!
TA- you were leading the 1989 World at Wisbech too?
MB- yes then the engine blew up! I loaded the car up after, and Graham Orchard had been pestering me about buying the car, so that was my last meeting apart from a Wisbech I did in 1990 in a replica of my car which Trevor Login had built and asked me to take out, I think I won a race? (laughs again)
TA- so which was your favourite track?
MB- Wisbech, I won the Pollard trophy more than anyone else, which was for the top points scorer at Wisbech
TA- And your worst track?
MB- Aldershot (the old one), that tight hairpin bend!
TA- what was your most memorable race?
MB- the World Supercup in Kaldenkerchen, I finished 2nd to R.T. (Rockin Robin Randall, with whom Martyn is still great friends)
TA- why that one and not a World win?
MB- me and R.T. had been so competitive all through the meeting and in the final I sat on his arse lap after lap waiting for the last lap board to make my move, but because of the position of the lapboards I missed it and next thing the chequered flag was out and I thought f**k it! (laughs again)
TA- any bad meetings?
MB- too many to remember!
TA- Who was your biggest rival?
MB- Roy Eaton, because he thought he was good (laughing)
TA- and your most admired?
MB- Dave Pierce
TA- if you were given the chance to do a one off veterans meeting would you?
MB- I might do! (laughing) ask me when I’m sober!
TA- so how do you sum up your success in Superstox?
MB- years of experience! My Dad was a successful Speedway rider (Fred was captain of Yarmouth Speedway and the highest ever points scoring rider for Yarmouth) so I think the racing was in my blood.
TA- talking of being in the blood, your Son Adam also raced a Superstox(514) and a F2(742), any plans for him to make a return?
MB- no its out of his system now, although he does go to Skegness and watch now and again
TA- do you never go and watch?
MB- no, when I finished I threw myself into the family business (WH Brand & Son, Chevrolet franchise dealership) and after 20 years I’d got it out of my system too
TA- So I’m sat here with an ex World Champ and the Current World champ, any advice you can give the Chopster?
MB- the only advice I can give is keep a cool head (laughs yet again) Eaton and Perry got excited and kept stuffing each other, didn’t get them anywhere, so just keep a cool head.
TA- and finally Martyn the Superstox.org.uk question, how do you cook your ribs?
MB- I don’t cook ribs but I do a mean steak!
Not only did Martyn win the World in 1988, he also won the English, British, European & National! Now that is some going!!
So after a lot of Bacardi (Martyn) and a small vodka for me, that is my 1st interview finished, my thanks to Martyn, a thoroughly nice chap, even if he usually gets me drunk! wonder if Paul will let me loose again?
Superstox.org.uk says: Excellent first interview Trudy, it seems like you really got Martyn into the racing mood, you must certainly can be let loose again!