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Press, 14 July 1982, Page 52

The defending world speedway champion, Bruce' Pentail- '' (United. : States), under pressure from Larry Ross'(New Zealand), right, in a heat of the Overseas Final of the world championship, recently,iat White City. • Both riders qualified comfortably for the next round, the Intercontinental Final in Sweden on July 23, and are expected to be rivals again in the world final in Los Angeles in August. Ross, a world finalist for .the first time last season, is now the only New Zealand

rider remaining in the title hunt after his fine sixth at White City. One win, a second and three thirds gave him easy passage through with the top 10 to the Intercontinental Final. However, the other New Zealander in the field, the six-times world champion, Ivan Mauger, was not so fortunate. Now in semi-re-tirement, his absence from the demanding league competition in Britain this year cost him the fine edge he needed to qualify. He finished just one point short of

the total he needed to force a run-off for the final qualifying position. ' Mauger, now 42, a blamed his failure on the very slick surface at White City, which made passing difficult. He has been racing on the Continent, where tracks have more “drive” and did not adapt quite as quickly as he might have had he been racing regularly in Britain. . This was a big disappointment to Mauger, especially after his . long fight to overturn a decision of the F.1.M.,

the world controlling body of motor-cycle sport, to disqualify him from the world contest after he had finished second in the New Zealand qualifying round in Christchurch in January. ' He has since confirmed his earlier decision to retire from serious speedway racing at the end of this year. ‘• But he has one more vitally important event, the world pairs championship with Ross as his partner, ahead of him, and is also looking forward to the world

1000 metres long track championship tie has won three times previously. Manger’s racing next year will be' restricted to • the European long tack circuit. The White City round, was • won by Dave Jessup (England) from Kenny Carter (England). The qualifiers for the Intercontinental Final are: Larry Ross (New Zealand), Phil Crump (Australia), Peter Collins, Les I ■ ■ Collins, Andy Grahame. Kenny Carter, Dave Jessup (England), i Kelly Moran, Dennis Sigalos, I Bruce Penhall (United States).