Sportsman trophy to Crosby

Press, 28 February 1980, Page 21

Sportsman trophy to Crosby

The Australia-based international road racer, Graeme Crosby, is the ' surprise selection as the ' ,New Zealand motor-cycle “Sportsman of the Year” ' in the annual contest for ' the Geoff Perry Memorial >- Trophy, conducted by “New Zealand Motor-cycle "News.” Crosby received 32 per cent of the votes east by readers of the magazine. Ivan Mauger, of Christchurch, winner of the world speedway championship for a record sixth time late last year, was the runner-up with 26 per cent of the votes. Third place went to Joanne Meiklejohn, a Hutt Valley road racer. The passing over of Mauger, already the winner of the more important “New Zealand Sportsman of the Year” award, is quite astonishing. Crosby’s success at gaining a place

in the British-based Heron Suzuki works team for the forthcoming world championships is praiseworthy indeed. But his achievements last season pale into insignificance when compared W’ith those of Mauger, the greatest motor-cyclist ever produced in New Zealand in terms of international achievements. Crosby has yet to make his mark as an international star, but he gets his chance this northern season. He will be a starter in the Daytona 200 classic in the United States early next month, and will contest all world championship rounds in the 500 cu. cm class. He has also been included in the British team for the annual match against the United States in England at Easter — a choice which has upset some British road racers.