SPEEDWAY CHAMPION'S FUTURE Moore undecided about returning to England

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33093, 7 December 1972, Page 28

SPEEDWAY CHAMPION'S FUTURE Moore undecided about returning to England

(By

R. O. DEW}

Back in New Zealand after his most successful season in English speedway since he made a come-back to the sport almost four years ago, the former double world champion, R. L. Moore, of Christchurch, is still undecided about his future as an international rider.

He is considering a business opportunity in Christchurch, is already involved in an air charter organisation in London, and the Wimbledon management has offered him attractive financial incentives to return to England.

“Everything has happened at once—l don’t know which way to move,” he said yesterday.

“I had decided to finish with speedway in England, but I have left a lot of equipment there, including a new motor-cycle, in case I do go back. "I have promised to let Wimbledon know one way or the other by the New Year—the management must be told as soon as possible so that it can begin negotiations for a new heat leader.” “Risky business” Speedway was rewarding financially but a rider might break a leg in the first meeting and earn nothing. “It is a risky business — and I don’t like being away from my family, either.” Last season had not been a particularly good one for the Wimbledon team. It badly needed another heat leader and had finished just below the middle of the league. “There were plenty of times when I scored more than half the team’s total points. That made it very hard to win. They will be

really desperate if I decide not to go back.” But for Moore, the season was a tremendous success, both competitively and financially. For most of the time, he was third in the averages, just behind New Zealand’s reigning world champion, I. Mauger, and the 1971 champion, .O. Olsen (Denmark).

Machine troubles over the last few meetings spoiled his average slightly but he still finished with one of about 10 points out of a possible 12. Partnering Mauger in the New Zealand team, he finished runner-up in the world pairs championship, and also has 12 major trophies on their way to New Zealand. The one big disappointment was his failure to qualify for the world championship final for the first time in his career. Frame buckled “I bent my bike at Wimbledon the week before the British championship (a qualifying round),” he said. Moore managed to obtain a new diamond frame but had no opportunity to test it under racing conditions.

“I assumed that because it was new it would be all right It was useless. I could not get a grip, and at Coventry, where the championship was held, this was essential.” Previously, he had declined offers by Olsen and another Wimbledon rider from Christchurch, G. J. Stapleton, to lend him their machines.

“Graeme (Stapleton) really needed his for another meeting, although he was still prepared to let me have it for a spare, and I didn’t take Olsen’s bike because I knew 1 wouldn’t be able to ride it in the world final.”

Moore rates Stapleton as New Zealand’s most promising rider in England last sea-

son. “He slumped badly in the middle of the season but at the end was riding really well.” Team captain Moore makes his New Zealand debut for the season at Wellington on Saturday night. The next Saturday he will lead the Canterbury team in an inter-provincial match against Hawke’s Bay at Templeton.

He has had several invitations to race in Australia but will be available to ride for New Zealand in the test series against the touring British Lions later in the season.

“This is a pretty good team,” Moore said. “They are mostly fairly young riders, and are all members of the 'screw it on’ brigade. After racing in Australia, they won’t be loafing when they get here.”