Bad luck leaves N.Z. unplaced

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 32

Bad luck leaves N.Z. unplaced

The New Zealand team of Larry Ross (Christchurch) and Mitch Shirra (Auckland) was unlucky not to finish in the first three in the recent world speedway pairs final at Pocking in West Germany. Needing only a point to secure third place, Shirra fell in his last ride, and was hit by an Australian, Steve Regeling. Shirra was able to

get to his feet some minutes later, but could take no further part New Zealand actually finished third equal on 32 points with Czechoslovakia and Sweden, but the countback gave third to Czechoslovakia and dropped New Zealand to fifth. This was, however, an outstanding performance by the New Zealand pair. Ross was the star with

an excellent score of 30 points, and Shirra, in spite of his untimely fall, still collected IX The title was won by the favourites, Erik Gundersen and Hans Nielson, of Denmark, but only after a run-off with the United States team of Kelly Moran and Sam Ermolenko. Both pairs finished the meeting with 46 points. The meeting was

memorable because it was held with six-rider heats for the first time. The racing was exciting, although the riders later complained that the straights were not wide enough for six riders. One of the surprises was the failure of the English pair of Simon Wigg and Jeremy Doncaster. Doncaster scored 12 and Wigg, who toured New Zealand earlier this

year with the Ivaa Mauger troup, managed only 11 — a modest tally for the man who holds the world 1666 m long track championship. Results were:— Denmark 46, United States 49, Czechoslovakia 32, Sweden 32, New Zealand 32, West Germany 27, England 23, Italy 15, Australia 15.