Norwegian rider seeks Southern experience

Press, 9 November 1978, Page 9

Norwegian rider seeks Southern experience

Speedway fans at the Ruapuna Park Speedway this season might do well to pencil the name Trond Skretting into their programmes, because by the end of the year the 19-year-old Norwegian could be making eyebrows rise. Trond arrived in Christchurch from Norway last week, and will spend the next four months in Christchurch fulfilling a long-cherished ambition — to gain experience in riding a solo speedway motorbike before returning to, and hopefully making the grade in, the tough arena of English speedwav. The young Norwegian began riding motorcycles in Norway at 12, but quickly developed a keen interest in speedway competition. But Norwegian law 7 forbids riders under 18 from competing in the infrequent meetings held in that country, so at. 16 years of age Trond packed his bags and went to England. For two seasons, he took part in the numerous training schools organised by the British speedway association, working with established riders who taught the youngsters from all over Europe the basics in learning to ride. Trond had several outings at meetings in England, riding in the second half each night against other young hopefuls, and when he returned to Nor- ■ -ay earlier this year, he was selected bv the Nor-

wsgian Motor Club to take part in a training school held by New Zealand’s own Ivan Mauger. It was no mean feat to be selected for Mauger’s school. Only 40 solo riders compete in Norway, on either of the two tracks in the entire country, and competition to gain entrance into the course was very tough. The training school was held in July, and Trond approached Mauger at the end of it and asked him about the chances of going out to Australia to gain some experience in the southern summer. Naturally, Mauger quickly quashed the young Norwegian’s ideas about Australia, and suggested he should come to New Zealand, and preferably Christchurch, instead. On Mauger’s advice, Trond wrote to the manager of Ruapuna Park Speedway. Mr Russell Lang, and asked if something could be arranged in Christchurch for the southern season. Mr Lang quickly organised accommodation for Skretting with Mr David Phillips, a speedway enthusiast in Christchurch, and gave him the go -.head to come out to New Zea- 1 land. Trond paid his own way out to this country, but for his four-month stay he is to be sponsored by another member of the Phillips family. Brian. Phillips Mower Services, his firm, will meet the cost of the

petrol and oil for the Norwegian’s motorcycle, as well as provide a van for his transport.

Skretting brought a Weslake motor with him from Norway, and bought one of Mauger’s speedway frames which was in Christchurch. While racing in Christchurch, he will be doing all the tuning, repairs and maintainence on his machine himself, and will compete in as many meetings as possible. Rides at Auckland’s Western Springs are also possibilities. Trond will return to Norway in March, and will then go to England in early April for th? start of the British speedway season He will find the going very tough indeed — Norwegian riders are not allowed to compete in the second division, which is open only to English and Australasian riders, and so he will have to fight to attract attention from a first division scout. Until such time as he is “spotted” by one of the talent scouts, Trond will have to be content riding in the second half meetings against dozens of other young riders hoping to make the grade. He is convinced a season spent in New Zealand can only enhance his chances of breaking into the tough, first-division competition. Although Skretting has only been here a week, he has already had several rides out. at the track, and he seems very satisfied

with it. Ruapuna Park is of a much higher standard than the two tracks in Norway, and longer than many in England, and he feels confident he will learn the ropes quickly. Job-hunting began in earnest this week, and he

may be working in a motor-assembly plant in Wigram shortly. The trip out to New Zealand will also serve another purpose for the young Norwegian. Living and working with a New Zealand family will benefit his halting English speech,

a vital prerequisite to any rider hoping to break into speedway in Britain. Trond Skretting will have his first taste of speedway, New Zealand style, this Saturday night, and he is sure to generate a lot of interest over the coming months.