N.Z. riders dominate speedway

Press, 10 February 1986, Page 3

N.Z. riders dominate speedway

PA Auckland A combination of classy solo racing made for a classic speedway spectacular at Waikaraka Park in Auckland on Saturday.

In the final round of the Ivan Mauger world speedway series 12 international solo champions contested a 15-race programme over a new 200metre short lap. Under the auspices of the New Zealand Auto Cycle Union, it was fittingly dominated by New Zealand riders. The American star, John Cook, set a blistering pace in the heats, taking three wins and a second from four starts for a total of 11 points. The five-times New Zealand champion, Larry Ross, followed one point down with two wins and two seconds. The United States longtrack champion, Bobby Schwartz, and an Englishman, Neil Evitts, were tied for third on nine points, one ahead of Mauger. But the electrifying youngster, Einer Kyllingstad, was by far the man gaining the most recognition. The Norwegian ace

stormed to an impressive > win in the first heat and bolted to the front iri each of his remaining starts. Luck was not with him all the way, however. In his second start, an engine fault forced his retirement and, in Heat 11, Kyllingstad took a heavy fall through the cemetery bend which left him winded but not severely injured. Ross carried off the honours in the first semifinal from the New Zealand champion, David Bargh, and Mauger. The dynamic Mitch Shirra, another Kiwi, won the second from Cook and Evitts. The grand final was again a disappointment for Kyllingstad, whose helmet was caught as the tape went up. The teenage idol was lifted clean off his bike, again fortunately without serious injury. Shirra gave his best on the restart and, after a brief but exciting tussle with Mauger, established an impressive lead. Cook threw out a stiff challenge and twice nearly passed the former national champion but could not succeed, finishing three metres back and five metres ahead of Evitts.