Last but not least ride for Mauger

Press, 6 February 1986, Page 21

Last but not least ride for Mauger

New Zealand’s six-times world speedway champion, Ivan Mauger, makes his last competitive appearance in the final round of the Champion Spark Plug World Jubilee Series at Waikaraka Park in Auckland on Saturday. Mauger, now aged 46, . always said that the end of the- World Jubilee Series would also mark

the end of his 30-year racing career. He is remaining true to his word, and will not even ride in the match between New Zealand and the Rest of the World at Rosebank Park, Auckland, on Sunday. Instead, the man considered the world’s greatest speedway rider will content himself with managing the New Zealand team. In spite of his decision to retire, Mauger is by no means a spent force. He is certain of third place in the World Jubilee Series and only last week-end flew to Adelaide for the South Australian Jubilee Speedway Spectacular at the Waverley Stadium. The 34,000 crowd wMch turned out to watch vhe

speedway maestro in his final Australian appearance were not disappointed. Mauger finished third in his first heat, but then thrilled the spectators with some vintage riding.

He won all his remaining heats, his semi-final and in the grand final showed a world-class field the way to the finishing post The Australian international, Phil Crump, was second, and the United States champion, John Cook, third. Cook, already assured of victory in the New Zealand series, will be the man to beat in Auckland on Saturday.But the man to watch will be Mauger, who will be trying hard to go out on a winning note.