Lindstrom Wins Moto-cross

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31595, 5 February 1968, Page 15

Lindstrom Wins Moto-cross

None could match the brilliant Swedish rider, G. Lindstrom, in the sixth round of the Rothmans international moto-cross series at Tai Tapu yesterday.

He won the 15-lap final with a masterful display on his 360 c.c. Husqvarna, finishing almost 10 seconds clear Of the talented American, J. N. Roberts, on a similar machine. Third place went to the Welsh champion, J. Lewis, who led for seven laps and only let Lindstrom past after a tremendous wheel-to-wheel struggle. This battle obviously took its toll on his strength find concentration for on the second-to-last lap he allowed Roberts to nip in front at the bottom of the big hill and edge him out of second place. This was Roberts’s highest placing of the series. His previous best was third. He has made a remarkable improvement since the series began and should be able to provide the European riders with some serious competition when he visits England and the Continent next season.

The first New Zealander

home was A. T. Glbbes (Palmerston North) in fourth place. He rode a particularly steady race and, as at Tlmaru the previous week, he had a sterling battle with Roberts which lasted half the race. Gibbes held third place for quite some time before Roberts finally forced his way through. Another Palmerston North rider, M. Shirriffs, was fifth and the veteran, K. Cleghorn, also of Palmerston North, wafi sixth. Cleghorn, who has been one of New Zealand’s top riders for almost as long aS it is. possible to remember, showed once again that he is still a rider to command respect in any company. Had he not been involved in an opening lap spill when

C. Schultz (Eketahuna) lost control in front of him on the big climb, he would undoubtedly have thoroughly tested the internationals. in event* prior to th* main final he waa clearly the fasteat New Zealand rider and only Lindatrom had a better time for ■lx lap* on the day. He handled hl* 380 .c.C: Huiqvarna with ireat skill and lit *ll the tupsorting races he cetitested was he first New Zealander to finish.

However, It waa undoubtedly Lindstrom'* day. Hi* win in the final was hi* fifth in six finals and he is now certain of being , the second swede to win the New Zealand serie*. But hl* success oil the d*y did not end here. He also won the international classic Of eight lap* and the boo c.c. das* ot the class championship*, held over six tap*. The 330 c.e, championship race went to Blenheim’s 18year old I. Miller, who rode hl* C.Z. with the skill of a veteran right throughout the day: He was an early leader in all the main races and although he was Mounted on a small 280 c.c. machine even the internationals had conllderabl* difficulty getting past. Another Blenheim rider, B. Owen, won the 350 o.e. class. The two sig-lap qualifying neat* provided some of the most outstanding racing of the day. in the first, M. Shirriffs (Falmerston North), Gibbes and Schult* hid a tremendous tussle before ahinifik finally took the checkered fiag in first .place. The second heat wa* another stimulating three-way struggle, ini* time between Cleghorn, A. coliison (Palmerston North) and Miller. Cleghorn finally ran out the winner In 7min 39sec to become the fastest qualifier. Collison snatched second place from Miller on th* final tap. Results:—

Rothmans International Motocross.—First heat (six laps): M. Shirriffs (Palmerston North), 500 c.c. Metis**, 7:47.1, 1; A. T. Gibbes (Palmerston North), 860

c.c. Husqvarna, 7:51.8, 3; C, Schultz (Eketahuna), 506 e.c. Metis**, 7:55,0, 3. Second heat (six laps): K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North), 360 c.c. Husqvarna, 7:39.0, 1: A. Collison (Palmerston North), 500 c.c. Metlsse, 7:41.3, 2; I. Miller (Blenheim), 250 C.C. C.Z., 7:43,0, 2. Final (15 laps).—G. Lindstrom (Sweden), 360 c.c. Husqvarna, 18:47.3, 1; J. N. Roberts (America), 3*o c.e. Husqvarna. 18:37,0, 2; J. Lewi* (Wales), 360 C.C. C.Z., 19:3.8, 3; A. T. Glbbe* (Palmerston North), 380 c.c. Husqvarna, 4: M. Shirriffs (Palmerston North), 500 c.c. Metlsse, 5; K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North), 360 c.c. Husqvarna, 8; L. Boyce (Blenheim), 250 c.c. C.Z., 7: P. Doecke (Christchurch), 250 c.c, C.2., 8.

International Classic (eight laps).—G. Lindstrom (Sweden), 360 c.c. Husqvarna. 9:84.2, 1: J. Lewis (Wales), 360 c.c. C. 1., 10:8.1, 2; K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North), 360 c.c. Husqvarna, 10:8.0, 3; J. N. Roberts (America), 360 e.c. Husqvarna, 4; I. Miller (Blenheim), 250 c.c. C.Z., 8; A. Collison (Palmerston North), 500 c.c. Metlsse, 8.

Sixth Round Ot Class Championships.—2sB c.c. (six laps): I. Miller (Blenheim), C.Z., 7:81.2, 1; A. Collison (PalmOrSton North), D.0.T., 7:55.2, 2: G. Holland (Christchurch), C.X.. 8:17.3. 3. 380 c.c. (SIX tap*): H. Owen (Blenheim), C.Z., 8:11.1, 1; P. Doecke (Christchurch), C.Z., 2; K. Davis (Palmerston North), C.Z.. 3. SOO c.O. (six lap*): G. Lindstrom (Sweden), 300 e.c. Husqvarna, 7:30.4, 1; J. Lewis (Wales), 360 c.c. C.Z., 7:39.0, 2; K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North), 3*o c.c. Husqvarna, 7:40.0, £

Junior Event (six laps).—H. Owen (Blenheim), 280 e.c. C.Z., li W. Horton (Christchurch), 250 c.e. Grooves, 2: S. Trllford (Tlmaru), 250 C.e. Bultaco, 3. Consolation Race (six laps).— W. Horton (Christchurch), 250 c.c. Greeves, 8:37.2, 1; K. Kilgour (Christchurch), 500 c.c. Metlsse, 8:48,0, 2; S. Robert* (Wellington), 500 c.c. Spartan. 8:3.2, 3.