Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125717
scene .... en . ~ .c: u :- ::i australian L..-.......-speedway_ By Peter White ~ w SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, Feb. 25,1971 - Australia wrapped up the 1970-71 speedway Test series against Great Britain with a resounding 56-52 win in the seventh and final Test at the Sydney Showground. This victory meant the Aussies clinched a 4-1 results - their best ever in the four years the competition has been running. Two of the matches were drawn. Considering the underrated Kangaroos were well down on experience in the international field and they faced a team made up of world class riders, the home boys did remarkably well and should be justifiably proud of their achievements. The British, still a recognized speedway power, came to conquer - as usual but instead were flat out saving face as they took defeat after defeat at the hands of the locals. Hero of the Aussie attack was captain Bert Kingston (Queensland), who scored a great 18 point maximum - unbeaten in his six races. Best for Britain was Liverpudlian Chris Pusey, also a grass track star, who managed'16 points. ANOTHER RIDER CRIPPLED Never before in such a short space of time has so man y dirt track daredevils been killed or maimed. Following earlier reports of Sydney rider Gary Hay being paralyzed for life, the dreaded situation has cropped up again with sensational Adelaide rider Laurie Hodgson being crippled in a track crash at the Rowley Park speedway, South Australia. Hodgson had rocketed into prominence in the Tests this season and Z W ..J U > U John Langfield crashing at Liverpool. Langfield sustained a damaged vertebrae when his head struck the fence after he had lost control and fallen from his bike. He is one of many to have been seriously injured during Australia's Speedway season. Photo by Des. C. Lawrence. was piling up big wins all over the country. He was in top form and wowing fans and promoters with his skill and speed in the toughest competitions. A trip to England was his for the taking and in general he had the world at his feet. Then, one tragic nigh t last month, everything crumpled in one split second. Laurie was pressing for the lead in a handicap race when the front-runner fell. Hodgson clipped his machine and was flung to the track. A following rider ran over him and broke his neck. Now the good looking 24 year old faces a bleak fu lure. He lies in the hospital paralyzed. The same weekend two other riders in separate states were also injured. In Perth, Western Austrlia, Les Leisk sustained back injuries when he hit another rider and fell and in Brisbane, Queensland, Bob Gourlay smashed a kneecap when he struck the safety fence at speed. HARKINS U,S. BOUND Popular Bertie Harkins, the bespectacled Scottish champion, plans to fly out to the States any day now. Bert sustained a fractured left scaphoid when he fell from a road bike - a speedy Honda 4 - several weeks ago. This dismally cut short his already curtailed Down Under season and left him sidelined for at least three months. Harkins was testing a road bike in the Sydney suburb of Liverpool, not far from the speedway circuit where he .is based this season, when he lost control and crash ed_ He was whisked away to the hospital for immediate attention but the break was such that his riding for the summer has finished, The injury comes as a double blow for the popular Haggis eater. Las October, at the beginning of the Australian season, Harkins stopped off as usual in California to compete in the Anglo-American Gold Cup series and had the misfortune to crash with Rick Woods and break a leg. That kept him out of the saddle until after Christmas and he was only just starting to get back into the groove. N ow all he can do is pack his bags and head back home to Scotland. There he hopes to see speedway's miracle medico, Dr. Carlo Biagi, and get fit for th.e rugged British League campaign which kicks off at Easter. Providing he is fit to ride, Bert will again captain the glamor London First Division team, Wembley Lions. Rather than sit around fruitlessly in Sydney, Bertola has decided to jet back to the sun of good old California (1) and spend some time wi th his many motorcycle acquaintances in the Los Angeles area before returning to Scotland for final treatment prior to getting back into the saddle for the 1971 British League campaign . •...•.....•..•.•••••••............. CONLEY250!360 Down Pipes - $49.95 TBB is a unique new concept in the retailing of motorcycle accessories, equipment and apparel. Here now, for the first time, is a full service .. accessories only" department-store •........................•........••• Helmets, goggles and gloves. Leathers and riding boots. All styles. colors and sizes. 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