“LONGER TO REGAIN MY MEMORY” Third Crash Forces Currie To Retire

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31615, 28 February 1968, Page 17

“LONGER TO REGAIN MY MEMORY” Third Crash Forces Currie To Retire

The 1967 South Island gold star scramble champion, Neil Currie, of Christchurch, has retired from all competition. His decision follows a night in hospital with delayed concussion, the result of a spectacular crash at Ruapuna Park 10 days ago.

“I have sold my leathers and put temptation out of the way,” he said yesterday. “I have now been concussed three times and each time it took longer before I regained my memory.” Even now Currie cannot remember anything about the race or the accident during the penultimate South Island gold star meeting at Ruapuna Park. “When I woke up in hospital I thought I was in Timaru,” he said. “No Drunken Drivers” Apart from this, Currie is fully recovered. “If I hadn’t had this prang I would still be riding but motor-cycling will not pay the bills if anything happens to me.” However, he does not regard motor-cycle scrambling as dangerous. “I always felt safe out there on the track. Everybody is going the same way, there are no drunken drivers, nobody is going to go through a compulsory stop. 90 per cent of the riders are

of proven ability, and the courses are clearly defined. “There is more danger crossing Colombo Street. And have a look at the chaps who have been playing Rugby for a few years. They have injured cartileges, broken noses and cauliflower ears. “Motor-cycling is a great game. I have made a lot of friends and I do not regret one minute of it.” Began On Holiday Currie was introduced to scrambling by the formdr New Zealand champion, D. Burns, now racing in England. They met on holiday and Burns pursuaded him to buy a machine. He made his debut on a 250 c.c. Greeves in the Halswell 100 Grand National moto cross in 1962 at the age of 20. “I started far too late. When you get older you think too much. You see a gap and by the time you have decided to try to go through it has disappeared.” For the last few seasons, after a break from the sport when he married, Currie has been sponsored by the former Isle of Man T.T. representative, D. McNeill. He had considerable success on a fourstroke B.S.A. Victor before switching to a new 360 c.c. Greeves two-stroke this season. “Sweat And Tears” However, Currie had a lot of trouble settling down on this machine, although he readily admits it is the best he has ridden. “I am not very adaptable. It has always been sweat and tears before I master a new machine.” Now 26, Currie has won only one major title, the South Island gold star championship last year, but he has always been one of the leading riders in the country. He has finished in the first three in 19 New Zealand or South Island championships, 13 times as runner-up. “I have always been a bridesmaid, never a bride,”

he recalled. “I followed Dave Burns around for years and since then there has always been someone like Graeme Stapleton or Ivan Miller a' out to beat me.”

In spite of the fact that he was unable to contest the final round of the 1968 gold star series at Timaru last Sunday, Currie still finished third over-all, behind Miller and G. Holland (Christchurch). Before the penultimate round at Christchurch there were only two points between Miller, Holland and Currie. Loss To S.I. Team

Currie’s retirement will be a severe blow to the South Island scramble team. He has been a regular member of it since he first began racing and this season promised to be one of the top points scorers in the 500 c.c. class. He will, however, still retain a close interest in the sport, doing all the maintenance on McNeill’s machines as he has in the past. McNeill said yesterday that he had chosen K. Kilgour, another Christchurch rider, to ride the Greeves. “I think he is quite a good choice. He is single and has shown ability. The machine is too good for a new chum,” McNeill said.