Larry Ross could surprise in world speedway final

Press, 5 September 1981, Page 24

Larry Ross could surprise in world speedway final

By

ROD DEW

New Zealand’s only representative in the world speedway championship final at the giant Wembley Stadium in London tomorrow morning (N.Z. time), Larry Ross, of Christchurch, is not among the favourites. Ross is listed at 20-to-one against by the British betting shops, a position he shares with Tommy Knudsen (Denmark) and Edward Jancarz (Poland). Only two others are listed at greater odds. Juri Stand and Ales Dryml (both Czechoslovakia) are at odds of 33-to-one. However, the outstanding New Zealand rider is not without support. He

struggled a little in some of the qualifying rounds but the final is very different from these. There is nothing to lose in the world final and, although Ross has' never qualified for one previously, he has the ability to do well. One person who expects a starring role from Ross- is the promoter at his home British track, Belle Vue, Mr Jack Fearnley. He said he has “high*hopes” of Ross. “A world final is a lot different from a qualifying round at any level and Larry has got what it takes to do well at Wembley,” he said. He is satisfied that Ross can “overcome the butterflies” and “knock the hopes”

of some other more favoured finalists. The shape of the Wembley track, laid specially for the final, is expected to suit Ross because of its similarity to the Belle Vue circuit. The favourite for the championship is the colourful American, Bruce Penhell, winner of the testing intercontinental final, in July. If be does, he will be the first American champion since Jack Milne won 44 years ago. However, the championship promises to be the closest in recent times, with almost any one of the 16 finalists capable of winning. British hopes appear to rest with the new British cham-.

pion, Dave Jessup, and the defending world champion, Michael Lee. But Lee has not been convincing in his performances this year and has generally only scraped through the qualifying rounds. With New Zealand’s sixtimes world champion, Ivan Mauger, out of the running, the veteran of the field is now Ole Olsen (Denmark), already, a winner of the world crown on two previous occasions. He certainly has the daring and skill necessary for a third title and for a large number of the finalists he will be a man to watch. Olsen’s young fellow-coun-tryman, Hans Nielsen, is another who should made a bold showing. There will be interest in the performance of Egon Muller (West Germany), who has twice won the world long track (1000 m championship — a high-speed version of speedway popular on the Continent. The full list of finalists is: Bruce Penhall (U.S.A.); Dave Jessup, Michael Lee, Chris Morton, Kenny Carter (England); Ole Olsen, Hans Nielson, Erik Gundersen, Tommy Knudsen (Denmark); Jan Andersson (Sweden); Zenon Piech, Edward Jancarz (Poland); Jiri Stand, Ales Dryml (Czechoslovakia); Egon Muller (West Germany); Larry Ross (New Zealand). First reserve: Preben Eriksen (Denmark).