It’s up to the jockey now, says Billy Sanders

Press, 16 February 1980, Page 60

It’s up to the jockey now, says Billy Sanders

By

ROD DEW

“It is a nice track, and I am very happy with my bikes. I haven’t got any excuses so it is up to the jockey now.” Billy Sanders, the rider widely expected to become Australia’s next world speedway champion, made these observations after setting up his two English Weslake racers in the official practice yesterday for the vital Australiasian final of the world championship. Sanders, who returned to the pits with a smile

all over his face, is the defending Australasian champion and he is obviously not. going to give up his title easily in the 1980 final at Ruapuna Park Speedway this evening. He consistently reeled off laps of less than 19sec in his allotted lOmin on the track, and he was far from maximum effort. If the lap record of 17.3 s is to be threatened tonight, Sanders is certain to be to the fore. “I wish all speedway tracks were this shape,” he said. “It is wide, there is

plenty of room, and it is demanding enough to bring out the best in a rider.” Tonight Sanders will not be watching any specific rider. 15 other riders are steeking the five qualifying places for the Commonwealth final (at Wimbledon, London, on June 29) and they would all have to be treated seriously, he said. Other favoured Australians, Phil Crump and John Titman, also had successful practices. Both men circulated at around 19 seconds on a track

which had been made a little slushy by rain. Crump, * third in the world championship three years ago, is considered a particularly hot prospect for the Australasian title. Not all the field of 16 practised yesterday. One notable absentee from the track was the New Zealand champion, Larry Ross, of Christchurch, who was a reserve for the world final last year. He contented himself with watching his rivals from the relative comfort of the infield. Ross has Ivan Mauger’s

works . Jawa long track motor in his best bike. He tested that on Wednesday and feels that any further practice would be a waste of time. “If 1 practised today, I would spend six hours cleaning up,” he said. He was unconcerned by the threat of more rain. “1 don’t mind, personally, whether it rains or not. I like the track to be a bit roug h t. That sorts ■out ‘ the guys who can ride, and those who can’t.”

Ross will start tonight with the same attitude as Sanders. “I am not confident. 1 just keep telling myself that I have got to qualify, and that is all there is to it.” He is not even thinking about winning the Australasian championship, or the major share of the 34900 prize money. Five qualifying places were at stake, and seven riders were good enough to claim these. That meant that two riders of world class were going to miss out, he said. “Tony Briggs beat me

the other night when I wasn’t expecting it, and I think that Wayne Brown will do a lot better than many people think.” Ross said. Brown, who is based in Wellington, burst into prominence in the British league last northern season. He has suffered from mechanical problems but his machine is being prepared by the former test rider, Roger Wright, and this sort of problem should be a thing of the past.