N.Z. lacked depth in speedway test series

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32385, 26 August 1970, Page 11

N.Z. lacked depth in speedway test series

’THE test series between England and New Zealand is, unfortunately, all wrapped up as far as the home side is concerned. Avenging its home defeat in the series last European season, England won the first three tests—the third at Swindon by a convincing 70 points to 37—and now cannot be beaten. Rarely have members of the English team been able to match the brilliance of New Zealand’s two top men, Ivan Mauger and Barry Briggs, who between them have so far scored most of their side’s points. England has gained the advantage with its greater depth of ability.

And of course England has had the considerable advantage of being able to pick the best team for each track. It has not had to field the same line-up at each test as New Zealand has had to do. The English selectors provided a graphic illustration of the depth of ability they had to choose from when they put Trevor Hedge, England’s only world finalist this year, and Arnold Haley in as first and second reserve, respectively, for the Swindon test In this match, even if 1 had been riding and had scored an 18 point maximum, New Zealand still would have been beaten. Not one of the English repre-

sentatives scored less than 10 points. For New Zealand, Briggs went through the meeting unbeaten and Mauger, after a lot of mechanical trouble, scored 10 points. The next best was five, scored by Bruce Cribb who was first reserve. Mauger had ridden his “good” machine at West Ham in a league match the night before and it was perfect When he arrived at Swindon for the test it refused to start. Magnetto

trouble was diagnosed and while he changed it someone warmed up his spare machine. He was out in front on his first ride when he suddenly stopped—nobody had thought to top up the fuel. His “good” machine was still not ready when time came for his second outing so he borrowed Briggs’s machine and won. The magnetto was replaced in time for his third ride, but while running second to Bob

Kilby his forks broke. He had to use his spare machine after that and managed two seconds and a first.

The remaining two tests (at time of writing) are at Oxford and Sheffield. The Oxford match has been

postponed because Briggs will be away racing in America. This match is perhaps one which we have a chance of winning. Oxford has a small track. On the larger tracks. New Zealand’s weakness in second strings becomes more apparent I had 39 stitches taken out of my arm last week, but now it is in plaster. I am going to see another specialist shortly, one who handles a lot of the road racing boys who crash at Brands Hatch. He should be able to tell me whether my arm will be strong enough to have a light cast on so that I can go to Poland for the world final on September 6.

Another person in trouble at the moment is Alan Brown, of Christchurch. He crashed at West Ham recently and broke both bones in his left leg below the knee. The doctors say he might be in plaster for three months. He had planned on returning to Christchurch for the New Zealand season. Now, he might not be able to make the journey. The Southern Hemisphere tour by the English Lions is not yet completely finalised but Nigel Boocock, now a familar figure in Australia and New Zealand, will be the rider-manager of the touring party. The tour will be one month later than usual, which might make it a bit tight for visiting New Zealand. There is also talk of a Polish team going to Australia. \

My plans are not definite yet. I might have to have some treatment for my arm during the English winter. I have been offered a short tour of Australia and some rides in America on the way out If I go on the trip I will certainly try and get across to Christchurch for a couple of meetings.

The most important thing at present is the world final in Poland. The track at Wroclaw is big and fast and usually the Poles are much faster round it than anybody else. However, Barry Briggs and the defending champion, Ivan Mauger, are both riding extremely well and I would not be surprised to see one of them pull it off. Practice is on Friday, September 4. At the moment I am building up a machine to take to Poland but it is pretty slow work with one hand-

Specially written for “The Press" by the former double world speedway champion, RONNIE MOORE, of Christchurch. Moore broke an arm in a qualifying round in Russia last month but hopes to be fit in time to take his place as first reserve for the 1970 world championship in Poland on September 6.