Mauger through to world Speedway title final

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 14

Mauger through to world Speedway title final

By

ROD DEW

New Zealand will have one representative in the world speedway championship final at Katowice, Poland, on September 5. Ivan Mauger, of Christchurch, already a winner four times of the world crown, secured his place among the final 16 with an impressive second to Peter Collins (Britain) in the inter-continental final in the giant Wembley Stadium in Ijondon.

Mauger, riding with all his old brilliance, actually finished first equal on points with Collins — both scored 12 points. But in the run-off, the New Zealander’s bike reared up and he was unable to

make up the three lengths he lost at the start. Nevertheless, it was an indication that he would be a very strong challenger for the 1976 title and the win which would enable him to equal the record of five world championship victories held by the great Swedish rider, Ove Fundin.

For the defending world champion, Ole Olsen, of Denmark, the inter-conti-nental final was not one to be fondly remembered. In his first ride, he was excluded for not maintaining a straight course for the first 30 yards after hitting the 1974 world

champion, Anders Michanek, and in his next ride he was leading from Mauger when his Jawa seized on the second circuit.

It was a demoralising experience for the brilliant Dane, who could only manage three second places in his remaining rides to score six — insufficient points to get him through to the final. That Michanek and other leading Swedes such as Soren Sjosten, Bengt Jansson and Bernt Persson also failed to qualify was small consolation. But if it was a night of disaster for the defending champion, it was one of triumph for British riders. Five Englishmen — Collins, Malcolm Simmons, Chris Morton, Doug Wyer and John Louis — all qualified. British speedway supporters are now hoping for the first British world champion in 14 years. The other qualifiers were Phil Crump (Australia), who was third, and the young American, Scott Autrey, who has reached this level after four years of trying.