International speedway circuit to begin at Templeton

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33427, 8 January 1974, Page 3

International speedway circuit to begin at Templeton

An international speedway circuit embracing 12 countries will be launched at the Templeton Pall Mall Stadium on January 23—the eve of the Commonwealth Games opening—with a field including 10 of the world’s best riders.

Details of the first half of the circuit, estimated to cost $70,000 to promote. were announced in Christchurch yesterday by the world champion. I. Mauger, a principal of the company formed in Britain to arrange the series. “For sentimental reasons.' I am ven’ pleased that the i first meeting will be held here.” said Mauger. who! comes from Christchurch.;

“This is going to be really big business for the next 20 years or so.” SPONSOR SOUGHT It had been hoped to have prize-money of §20,000 at stake, as well as points money in the individual meetings. but it had not yet been possible to arrange a spoilisor. The prize-list had yet to be completed. Mauger said. This would be built up over (a period and in time prizes such as a new car would be presented to the winner, as swell as cash. “We have got to prove ourselves before we can go look-

ing for a big sponsor,” the winner of four world championships said. Four meetings will be in New Zealand — at Wellington on January 26, Palmerston North on January 29, and Auckland on February 20, as well as the inaugural meeting at Templeton — and a further two in Australia, at Newcastle on February 8 and Sydney (Liverpool) on February 9. At the end of the Australian and New Zealand section of the circuit, an over-all winner will be found.

IN U.S., TOO The Tasman part of the

circuit will be broken into by a meeting at the Houston Astrodome, Texas, on February 3. The series was to have been launched in Texas but the change to New Zealand was decided when the tour by the British league riders’ Team was cancelled. ! The British Auto Cycle iUnion refused to allow the I riders to race as a team belcause the British Lions would be touring Australia. This enabled the world series to be brought forward.

i Two other meetings in the United States are planned — both at Los Angeles — and another will be held in

Mexico City. Eight meetings have been arranged provisionally in six countries in Europe next northern summer. There is also a possibility of meetings in Malaysia towards the end of this year. FINAL PLANNED A winner of the northern hemisphere section will be found and, although it will not take place this year, the top riders from each section will in future compete in a further series of about three meetings to find the world champion. As well as the circuit meetings, a series of provisional meetings have been arranged between the New Zealand test team and the Rest of the World. Tentative dates for these are: February 6, Auckland or Templeton; February 14. Wanganui; February 16," Auckland; February 23, Auckland or Templeton; March 2, Wellington. POLES COMING

The winner of the world championship a record five times, O. Fundin (Sweden), as well as New Zealand’s “big three,” Mauger, R. L. Moore and B. Briggs, will be in the field for the inaugural meeting at Templeton. However, the big attraction is likely to be the first New Zealand appearance of the outstanding Polish riders, Z. Piech and E. Jancarz. Piech was third behind Mauger in the last world championship final and is widely regarded as a future world champion. He won the Polish championship in 1972 when he was only 19. Jan carz is also a former world championship place-getter. EUROPE. U.K.

The other riders coming from Europe for the series are O. Olsen (Denmark). B. Harkins (Scotland), and C. Pusey (England). Olsen is a former world champion. One American, S. Autrey, will race in New Zealand. The former Australian champion, J. Airey, is also a likely starter, as are other leading New Zealand riders.

Mauger said the response to the scheme had been terrific. “We could ride in Australia until the end of May if we wanted, too. Obviously, we haven’t time for that.” He estimates that by the middle of this year, 25 riders will be under contract to ride on the circuit.