Mauger fails to qualify

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 24

Mauger fails to qualify

By

ALISTAIR ARMSTRONG

Ivan Mauger returned to Christchurch last week-end after what has been a frustrating and disappointing fortnight for the six-times world speedway champion. The wiry Mauger, aged 42, still has the competitive instincts that carried him to the top in his chosen sport. He talks of being “in the process” of retiring, and continuing as long as he is winning. But a painful ankle injury, incurred at the world long track championships in Yugoslavia last September, has drawn the line on his chances of qualifying for this year’s world finals. While an Aucklander, Mitch Shirra. was celebrating his win at the New Zealand championship in Auckland earlier this month, Mauger left the Western Springs stadium after his poorest world championship meeting in 17 years. Mauger finished tenthequal at the national event, missing by two places a start in the next stage of the world qualifying round in Australia. At the Australasian finals, which have been pencilled in for Mildura, Victoria. within the next month, eight riders each from New Zealand and Australia compete for four places in the next stage in Europe. Mauger. who has won the world championship more than any other rider, missed qualifying for that contest and will return to Britain for the first time since 1964 with no world championship hopes before him. Mauger has not reached the world finals for three years now. but he has never before failed so early. According to reports. Mauger always looked as though he might not succeed at the New Zealand finals. He led his first heat for nearly three laps but then

withdrew when his motorcycle failed. Mauger won his next heat and then finished second to the over-all runner-up, John Goodall, of Auckland. But he pulled out of the fourth, again with engine problems, and needed to win his last heat to gain a run-off. Mauger was in front from the tape and led for nearly two laps, but his bike again failed and Mauger’s chances of winning a seventh world title disappeared. It was the end of a campaign that really only began in Perth, Western Australia, three days earlier. For most of the time since last September, Mauger’s right leg had been in plaster. The accident in Yugoslavia had broken his ankle in nine places, as w-ell as breaking a foot and five toes. Mauger asked The NewZealand Speedway Control Board to seed him directly

through to the Australasian final, so he could allow the injuries some time to heal. But the board refused to grant him automatic passage past anything but the first stage, the South Island final. Mauger feels that the N.Z.S.C.B. owed him more than this. “I have been forced to ride, by New Zealanders, in the New Zealand final, when they could have given me another three weeks grace into the Australasian final." he said. “If I had been able to do that, it would really have helped me. but I didn't get any help from New Zealand at all. “It is important to remember. too, that while this - decision was being made. I was the reigning New Zealand champion, and I am still the Australasian champion. “So they had plenty of reasons for putting me into the Australasian final. It was

in their power. I have ridden for 26 years for New Zealand. in 26 different countries — always with this country's flag on me. “I have helped every young New Zealander who has gone to England in the last 15 years, — either financially, or with equipment, parts, or contacts. “I have never asked New Zealand for a favour in the past. In the end, they let me miss the South Island stage. If I had had to ride that, I would have missed altogether." Mauger returned to riding just over two weeks ago, in Perth. Western Australia. With the bigger track there, he could allow himself more room to move on his sensitive right leg, which because of wasted muscle, still could not take much pressure. Soon after getting ■ back on the track, with padd- i ing on his knee and painkill- i ers to make it possible to I continue, Mauger tackled the j qualifying stage in New Zea- i land. ; Since then, Mauger has ridden in Perth again, and on Saturday he rode in an international best pairs feature at tne Ruapuna Park Speedway, | Mauger has retired from j the British Speedway . League, but he plans to con- i tinue riding this year at j weekly meetings on the ; European circuit. He will I also be competing in the I world long track champion- ; ship, and will continue to conduct training schools for ; several overseas speedway ' federations. ■ On a. business level, i Mauger is to co-promote this i year's world championship at ‘ the Los Angeles Coliseum in i August, organise tours to the ; event from several countries. ■ and continue managing the i promising English rider. I Kenny Carter. |