Moore confident N.Z. will do well in world speedway

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33253, 16 June 1973, Page 48

Moore confident N.Z. will do well in world speedway

The former world ehampion, R. L. Moore, of Christchurch, is not completely satisfied with I his own state of fitness [but he is confident that New Zealand will not be 'disgraced in the inaugural world speedway league which begins in Britain later this month.

“I did five lots of four laps in a private practice at the Templeton track last Wednes-

da., and everything was fine. But now I am a little stiff and sore,” he said yesterday. Moore leaves for Britain next Tuesday where he will join other members of the New Zealand team, all of whom are racing in the British league. The costs of his 24,000-mile return journey are being met by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association.

BRIGGS’S DECISION “If New Zealand is at full strength, and we get an injury-free run, we have a good chance of getting through to the final. Everything really depends on whether Barry Briggs decides to ride or not. Without him, we might be struggling a little,” Moore said. Briggs was voted out of this year’s world championship qualifying rounds by the promoters organisation because he did not want to ride in the British inter-club league. He has since discovered that the ban has been extended to include all open meetings in Britain. Although appreciating the great value Briggs, a former world champion, would be to the New Zealand team. Moore can understand him being reluctant to ride in the world league and help the British promoters increase their income through his drawing power. “SHABBY TREATMENT” “I think he would be justified in refusing to ride for New Zealand,” he said. “He has had pretty shabby treatment after what he has done for the sport.” In overseas publications, New Zealand is rated among the favourites for the league but Moore is not prepared to predict victory for New Zealand.

“I will only be getting somewhere near fit by the end of the series and Briggs, if he rides, is also unlikely to be at his peak because of the little racing he has had recently.” MAUGER SUSPECT He also points out that the New Zealand captain, the reigning world champion, I. G. Mauger, has dropped out of a few big ones this season. He was only fourth in the Wimbledon International after winning it three times in a row.

Moore will use his best racing machine in the world series. He left it behind when he returned to New Zealand at the end of the 1972 British season and it has since been in the care of another Christchurch rider, G. J. Stapleton, who will also be riding for New Zealand.

The New Zealand team is expected to be drawn from Moore, Mauger, Briggs, Stapleton, G. Peterson (Hamilton), R. Andrews (Auckland), B. Cribb (Palmerston North) and F. Shuter (Christchurch). Six will ride in each match. LEADING RIVALS

Moore rates England and Sweden as New Zealand’s top rivals in the seven-nation contest. He considers that the Englishmen, J. Louis, T. Betts and R. Wilson, will give their side a very solid core. He is also impressed with the results achieved by the three top Swedish riders, A. Michanek, T. Jansson and B. Jannson (no relation), this season.

“The Russians could be a threat, too. We don’t? known how they are going but they should fly on the big tracks. Unfortunately we meet them on one of the biggest tracks, Cradley Heath.” New Zealand’s first opponent will be England at Leicester on June 26. It meets Sweden at Hackney Wick on June 29.

The top four teams after the round-robin series will qualify for the semi-finals at Belle Vue (Manchester) and Coventry on July 11. The final will be at Wembley on July 14.