CLUB DEBUT: 19 July 1977 versus White City (Away) British League; 0 points (3 rides).
MALCOLM THOMAS HOLLOWAY was born in Stratton St Margaret, Wiltshire, on 22 December 1956. After initially straddling a speedway machine in 1972, Malc took up training under the guidance of Lew Coffin at Weymouth the following year, before first appearing on the Swindon circuit in post-match practice sessions in 1975.
The following season, he graduated to the old second-half events and the enthusiastic youngster with a wicked sense of humour soon developed a reputation for demolishing the flowerbeds that adorned the centre-green at Blunsdon in those days.
It wasn't until 1977 that he first donned the famous Robins' race-jacket, though, when he lined up at No. 7 in a British League match at White City on 19 July. Three non-scoring rides followed, but no matter; he had achieved his ambition to ride for his local track. Holloway went on to complete seven league matches that year for Swindon, while gaining further experience in the National League with Oxford.
In 1978, Malc joined National League Milton Keynes and it was then that he acquired the nickname ‘Mad Wellie'. This came about because he used to be a farmhand in Swindon and would dash off for meetings at Milton Keynes in his work clothes, including his Wellington boots! He also doubled-up for Swindon in fifteen league matches that year as and when required.
Holloway continued to ride for both Milton Keynes and Swindon the following year, but his big breakthrough came in 1980, when he was handed a full-time team berth with the Robins by then-promoter Wally Mawdsley. Obviously the going was tough, but Wellie acquitted himself well and a 4.93 average from thirty league matches was very satisfactory indeed.
Always a good starter - thanks in no little way to the influence of Bob Kilby - Malc rode brilliantly at times in 1981 and upped his league average to 6.83. However, that year he was probably best remembered for organising a train, which took the Robins to Edinburgh for a Knock-Out Cup tie on 12 June. The trip was dubbed the ‘Mad Wellie Express' and was an extremely enjoyable one that saw the riders mixing with the fans on the journey.
Malc maintained his 6-point average in 1982, but the following season saw Swindon slump to the foot of the British League table. In what was a difficult term, Holloway's league average dropped to 5.39 and he subsequently linked with Reading at the start of 1984. He soon became a firm favourite at Smallmead and found it much less pressurised than riding for his local track.
He was to enjoy six seasons with the Berkshire club but, unfortunately, his career with the Racers was brought to an abrupt halt by a terrible crash at Bradford on 5 October 1989. Malc had begun that campaign at National League Mildenhall, before being recalled to the Reading septet, but following the crash at the Odsal Stadium bowl, it seemed he would be lost to the sport.
However, in 1995, Wellie returned to Swindon as team manager and the following season, he was unable to resist the temptation to ride for the Sprockets side in the Conference League. In 1997, Malc took a backroom role at Reading and many folk thought that would be the end of his racing career.
But, after missing three full seasons of action, he was tempted to ride yet again and joined Somerset Rebels in the opening season at their Highbridge home in 2000. Continuing on with the Rebels in 2001, Holloway helped them to complete a fabulous Knock-Out Cup and Conference Trophy double.
Of course, Somerset moved into the Premier League in 2002 and Wellie was keen to return to the higher level of racing but, despite riding with great zest and holding a league average of 3.57, he was surprisingly released.
Not wishing to retire at the tender age of 45, Malc was quick to again link with the Swindon Sprockets in Conference Trophy action, as well as joining Mildenhall for a couple Conference League matches. He did well, too, netting 60 points from six matches in the Sprockets colours for an average of 9.10, whilst for the Fen Tigers he made just two appearances, scoring 15 points.
In 2003, the bubbly character began the season with the Sprockets, but ended up taking an extended run in the Premier League with Trelawny when Simon Phillips suffered an injury. He performed admirably for the Tigers, achieving a 4.16 average while also making several guest appearances for Swindon's senior side.
Keen as ever, Holloway again led the Sprockets' charge in 2004, but his season ended prematurely at Newport on 26 September, when he suffered several fractures to the vertebrae, two broken ribs and a broken thumb.
He hadn't ridden since then, so his farewell meeting at Blunsdon on 9 October 2005 was the last time he took to the track in a racing capacity, although he couldn't resist having an after-the-meeting spin at Reading in 2008!
Following his final retirement from racing, Wellie managed the Swindon Sprockets side, but gave up the position to become co-promoter of Reading Speedway - alongside Mark Legg - in June 2007. He remained in the post until the closure of the Smallmead venue for re-development at the end of the 2008 season.
Always a popular visitor at the Abbey Stadium on race-nights, Wellie became the fifteenth rider to be inducted into the popular Legends' Lounge on the evening of 21 March 2010, as the club staged the inaugural Bob Kilby Memorial meeting.
In October 2010, it was reported that Holloway - then the landlord of The Jovial Monk at St Andrew's Ridge - had saved his pub from destruction after it was only minutes from being burnt down. This came after a man had thrown a lighted jerry can through the pub window. Although asleep at the time, Malc raced downstairs and - without thinking of the danger - picked up the can and threw it back through the window!
Backtracking to the 2008 season, Holloway undertook the long drive to Redcar and back for one of the Racers' meetings on 19 June. He had been feeling unwell and, unknowingly, was having a mild heart attack on and off all day. Indeed, it was only the following day that he realised what had been happening.
He subsequently underwent a triple by-pass operation and remained an effervescent character. Regrettably, though, he passed away at the age of 55 on 3 May 2012 after suffering another heart attack.
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DATE OF BIRTH: 22 December 1956, Stratton St Margaret, Wiltshire.
In 1978, Malc joined National League Milton Keynes and it was then that he acquired the nickname ‘Mad Wellie'. This came about because he used to be a farmhand in Swindon and would dash off for meetings at Milton Keynes in his work clothes, including his Wellington boots! He also doubled-up for Swindon in fifteen league matches that year as and when required.
Not wishing to retire at the tender age of 45, Malc was quick to again link with the Swindon Sprockets in Conference Trophy action, as well as joining Mildenhall for a couple Conference League matches. He did well, too, netting 60 points from six matches in the Sprockets colours for an average of 9.10, whilst for the Fen Tigers he made just two appearances, scoring 15 points.
