Successful season for Stapleton

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33382, 14 November 1973, Page 30

Successful season for Stapleton

The New Zealand test rider and former scrambles champion, G. J. Stapleton. has arrived back in Christchurch after his most successful season in British speedway. Stapleton was a heat leader for the famous

.iWimbledon “Dons,” rode in J9O meetings, and missed only [four races during the season. | His average scoring was Iseven and a half points a ‘•meeting, but at “home” he I [was even more impressive. ■ 'Only the brilliant young .[Swedish rider, T. Jansson, [scored more points in the -team.

Now 27, Stapleton is not sure yet where he will do his racing in New Zealand this summer. At present, he considers there is a strong possibility that he will race at Auckland’s Western Springs instead of at Templeton. “I am a professional. I have to go where I can earn the most money,” he said. Stapleton and the former i world champion. R. L. Moore, will both be racing in Auckland next Saturday night against the two brilliant Australians, J. Airey and J. Boulger. Boulger is the present Aus-; tralian champion and was a>

world finalist this season. Airey, who did not race in Europe last season on a regular basis, has also reached the world final. Stapleton is confident, however, that he will make some appearances at Templeton’s Pall Mall Speedway. He is

available for the test matches against England and two of the five tests are scheduled for Templeton. The New Zealand championship will also be held there this season and Staple-

ton is definitely interested in these.

' While in New Zealand, I Stapleton will also compete in scrambles meetings. He no longer considers this anything but an activity to help him keep fit. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that he will re-

place his well-used Kawasaki 250 with a new machine of the same make within the next two months and on this might prove a thorn in the sides of the best of New (Zealand's moto-cross specialists.

Two other Christchurch speedway riders who have just returned from racing in Britain, R. Wright and T. Black, will be racing at Templeton on Saturday night. Both competed for Teeside in the British second division. Wright had another season of good scoring, but Black broke his shoulder twice in crashes and this handicapped his progress. He is now fully recovered.