Rupaima Park preview

Press, 22 January 1988, Page 14

Rupaima Park preview

"The King of Ruapuna,” Christchurch’s Larry Ross, is out to increase his record number of wins when he lines up in the New Zealand Solo championships, which will be contested at Ruapuna Park speedway tomorrow evening. Ross has won the national title six times, with two of these victories coming on his home track and must start as the favourite to regain the title off Wellington’s David Bargh. Although Ross, aged 33, quit the tough British league two seasons ago and late last year announced his retirement from the international scene, he still retains the attribute that ranked him among the top rides in the world for nearly a decade. Over recent seasons, that form has seen Ross almost unbeatable on the Ruapuna track and he is keen to

finish on top of the 16rider field. “I am quietly confident that I can win the title in front of my home crowd,” Ross said when asked about his chances of victory. Over recent years, Ross’s main opposition has come from both Bargh and Auckland’s Mitch Shirra, and Ross is again picking these two riders as the hardest to beat in the field. The last six New Zealand titles have proved to be a battle royal between these three riders, with one of the trio winning and the other two finishing in the second or third position. Both Bargh and Shirra have recently returned home from racing in the British league, with Bargh riding for the Coventry team which won three of the major trophies including the league title. Bargh has won the national

title for the last two years with Shirra, who again reached the last world final, winning the title for the last time in 1984. It would be a major surprise if the winner did not come from Ross, Bargh or Shirra, but there are several riders in the remainder of the field who are capable if the favoured three riders slip up. Gary Allan, who comes into the meeting as the North Island and Australian Under--21 champion, posted the fastest time of the season at the Ruapuna track when going through last Saturday’s meeting unbeaten. Of the other North Islanders in the field, Chris Martin, Nathan Murray, of Auckland, Hamilton’s John Roberts and Steve Rose, along with Napier’s Michael Long should finish in the top half of the field.