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Mauger Wins Third World Title Story and Photos by Peter White WROCLAW, POLAND, Sept. 6,1970 Ivan Mauger, whizz New Zealand dirt track rider, has carved an enormous chunk of history by becoming the first man ever to win the Speedway Championship of the World three years in succession. Mauger clinched this magnificient feat with a scorching victory in the 1970 title tilt held here Sunday. Others have been King of the World on more occasions than the devastating Kiwi. Swede Ove Fundin has held the crown a record five times and fellow countryman Barry Briggs has annexed the trophy four times, but, no one before has managed the hat trick. Three wins in a row. This unique achievement must surely stamp Mauger as one of the greatest speedway riders ever born. In 1968 he journeyed to Sweden and fought off the world's best riders to ta ke his Il1"st Championship win. Throughout last year he was undoubtedly the very" best rider in the world: living up to the reputation the title carries to the fullest. He proved this in a gruelling British League season, another immaculate World Final win at Wembley, London, and appearances in America, Australia and New Zealand. This year it was the same story. Ivan really has been Mr. Perpetual Motion. A human dynamo on the race track. If he drops a point in any race, in any country it is a rarity. He went to Poland the closest thing to a dead cert. as possible. There was only one drawback. Poland itseJ,f. In another "first" in the history of the sport, the championship Final was staged behind the Iron Curtain in Communist territory. This meant an exceptionally hard task for Mauger. First he had to endure three qualifying rounds in England, a semi final, a British Final, a British/Nordic Final and a European Final beiore qualifying for the big one itself. Then in Poland he faced six home riders and four Russians. And the East European bloc riders are generally , acknowledged as the hardest, roughest, fas test exponents of the art of mo torcycle broadsliding in the world today. Not only that, but they know their own tracks like the back of their hands and they are not adverse to team riding even in individual events such as the World Championship to help a compatriot score. Mauger overcame all this to thrash the pants off the best the rest of the speedway universe could offer. Apart from the Poles and Russians, I van also had to contend with countryman Briggs, Dane Ole Olsen (bound for a season in A ustralia this winter), Swedes Anders Michanek and Soren Sjosten (Soren being a Belle Vue 1970 TRIUMPH 500cc Cerianis, low exhaust pipes, looks clean and funs great, must sell, need money for college. Bob 1213) 424-5469. Also Moto-x boots, 5 tires, helmet. FOR SALE: An expansion chamber for a Yamaha 125. (2131 361·3853. teamma te of Mauger and third at Wemb1ey last year), Englishman Trevor Hedge and an East German. Sixteen aces running in 23· pac ked heats of white hot speedway action. A crowd of 50,000 gathered at the Wroclaw Stadium to witness the Final. Mauger emerged triumphant with a maximum of 15 points from his five rides. Not a man could touch him. He was unbeaten. Second place went to veteran Polish rider Pawel Waloszek with 14 points while Antoni Woryna's 13 points made it two and three for the host country. Sadly, former champ Barry Briggs was out of touch and came in seventh wit h s eve n poi n t s . A real disap· pointment for Briggo who was generally fancied to give the crown a big shake this year. Best of the Russian contingent was Valeri Klementiev who came in sixth with eight points. The diminutive Soviet speedster was another rider expected to shine following his World Final debut at Wembley in 1969 when he managed to beat Briggs in one race. . Englishman Trevor Hedge had an unhappy meeting. He was leading in his first ride until his engine gave up the montt~a . SACHS· NCAri ~ guviu,Lu. n4.. NO. OA"U ST. SAN "D_o. CALI', 907J1 ","ONI ""-1203 1969 YAMAHA Motocross. Many extras, trade for 1970 Sachs. (213) 899.Q710. Go fas'.r Wi'. OSSA ro Honda D'el Rey s. HODAKA engine, 90 bored to 100 $65.00. Hodaka Sunbum head $10.00. Hodaka street equip. $10.00. Hodaka 100 clutch $5.00. Adapter: Amal carb to Hodaka $5.00. Reed valve, pumper earb & manifold for Bultaco $35.00. 24mm Mikuni carbo $10. 3:50x18 Knobby $10. 3:50x18 Knobby $10. 3:5Ox17 Pirella $10. Complete front fork assembly, wheel, tire, etc. for trail bike, $25.00. '68 Matador Mk III, new top end, new carb, dirt only $450.00.12131327·1816. 4421 Sepu!veda Culver City ADELANTO CHEVRON BIKES WELCOME (213) 391-6217 Complete Parts' Service 1969 AT1·MX YAMAHA. Filtron, race complete. 338·1069. 21" $450. NGK PLUGS $.85 Akront, 17141 FREE WATER Highway 395 & Bartlett Ave. Adelanto, Ca, ghost, then in 'his third ride he was bundled into the fence by Russian Gennady Kurilenko. Hedge took no further part in the contest after that crash and both reserves found themselves in action. Reserve from the European Final was scheduled to be Ronnie Moore from New Zealand but he failed to recover in time from the broken arm sustained during the European Final at Leningrad, Russia in July. His place was taken by East German Hans Jurgen Fritz. Fritz ended up riding the full meeting in place of Russian Yuri Dubinin who did not arrive. Polish reserve was Edmund Migos and he too, was afforded a slice of the action wh~n Hedge withdrew from the meeting. Best of the much vaunted Swedish riders was Soren Sjosten (nine points) and so it goes on.... One fact stands out like a beacon though. The sheer brilliance of Mauger. Ivan the Terrible! That's what he was to those other 15 riders in Poland, make no mistake. Californian dirt track supporters are . well acquainted with Ivan. He has ridden on track in the Los Angeles area the past two years following his cl)ampionship successes. Last year he swept all before him at ~ the Orange County Fairgrounds and that included some mighty tough opposition in the form of Briggs, Aussie lfJ Jim Airey and Scotsman Bert Harkins. ~ w There is no need to elaborate on his Z w skills. You have seen him for yourself. -' U Suffice to say here is a man blasting his >way across the racing scene like no U other before him. i Full score chart from the final of the 1970 Speedway Championship of the World appears below: Ivan Mauger Pawel Waloszek Antoni Woryna . . Soren Sjosten Henryk Gluklich . Valeri Klementiev Barry Briggs Anders Michanek . Andrzei Wyglenda Ole Olsen . . . . . Jan Mucha . . . . HansJurgen Fritz Valeri Gordeev . . Edmlmd Migos . . Gennady Kurilenko Zygfryd Friedek Trevor Hedge . . . . New Zealand 15 . Poland 14 . Poland 13 .Sweden 9 . Poland 9 . Russia 8 New Zeland 7 . .Sweden 7 . . Poland 7 Denamark 6 . . Poland 6 E. Germany 5 . Russia 5 . Poland 4 . Russia 2 . . Pland 2 England 0 The Honda US·90, soon to be released, may look like a freak in the motorcycle industry, but don't let looks deceive you. This small three-wheeler can go just about everywhere with ease; across streams, over snow, atop sand and can even maneuver never-before topped boulders. It can easily be disassembled for packing and has nu· merous otherfeatureswhich can be discovered at the nearest Honda dealer in the near future. WANTED - 1969 Kawasaki Mach III parts. Left muffler, battery cover, engine cover, air filter, swinging arm. Bultaco Metisse barrel, piston. ehamber. (2131 326-6988. MATCHLESS METISSE, 500cc G-8S. Rebuilt: clutch. forks & Koni's. New: chain, tire, primary case, saddle. Extras: 2% & 5 gal. tanks, 2 types of air filte". skid plate, etc. $750.00.17141460-8049. 250 FLATTRACKER Suzuki twin in Sonic weld frame, spools front and rear, Wiseco pistons, 28mm Mikunis, etc. Fast! Fastl Fast! $795.00. Call Dick (2131 860·1354. 1970 BULTACO Sherpa T, 125cc Motocross. Super speedy, firm $500. 1213) 866-7418. rfSA Sale. & Servlee KAK CYCLE CI. 10619 E. Glrwy EL MONTE, CI. 91733 H_s: 9.... p.m. Sat. 6:30-10:00 p.m. Tues.·Frl. Ph. 13 443.5712 400 HUSKY '69%. Very clean, many extras. Call Tom after 7 pm (2131 652·7029. $1000.00. INY'tIYI'S YOUI GlIDLE........... flU'''G YOU? Tryt.. medleally destcned and approved V-Belt. The most comfortable and effi· clent sporls bell available. No slraps, buckles or zippers. Instant on and off. Lichtwelcht and eool. ... Best far touring « competition riding. Sive $3.00 - Order dlreel from manu· faelurer. Send waist size & Cheek or Money Order for $11.95 R/V Research 'Y.....~P.O. Bo. 2252, Dept. eN .....MftI ..O'ince, Cilif. 92661 ~ ROAD RACERS: 80cc Yamaha, new engine, fairing $225. 125ec Ducati OHC, MV. Agusta frame, fairing, suitable for larger engine $325. '68 200cc Suzuki X5, new engine, street $300. (213) 886·9432. • '70 BSA LIGHTNING. Immac. condition, less than 1000 mi. $1195 or best offer. (213) HE 2·0411 ext. 362,423·7323 eves. '69 H·D 350cc ERS. Fast dirt and track mach ine. Ceria" is and extra gears. See to appreciate. 1213) 599-2641 evenings. ,