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OC") 00 0') World Speedway Final Muller masterful before home crowd By John Hipkiss NORDEN, WEST GERMANY, SEPT. 4 America's hold on the World Speedway Championship ended when Bruce Penhall presented his best-kept silverware, the World Speedway Trophy, to the idol of host nation West Germany, Egon Muller. Muller, just one of the favorites going into the meeting, received the coveted trophy from 18 the former champion in front of an ecstatic crowd of 50,000. The first West German to ever win the World Speedway title, Muller did it by scoring a maximum of 15 points. America's hopes rested on Dennis Sigalos and Lance King. Sigalos, regarded by many as Penhall's heir apparent, was not consistent enough to keep the trophy stateside, scoring eight points for eighth place. That was far below what was expected of "Siggy," who finished third in the World Final last year. King was one of [our riders making their World Final debuts, and at 20, he was the youngest. However King had his troubles and only mustered four points for a 12th in the standings. igalos was pushed back into second place in his first ride by a very fast Mike Lee, who now holds the orden track record. Sigalos could make no impression on the 1980 World Champ and had to settle [or second. In the same heal King trailed in last position. unable to make progress on a track more suited [or longtrack racing than for conventional speedway. Siggy had to wail for heat nine to win a race. topping Denmark's Erik Gunderson. That gave him six points after three rides, and he realized that would have to wait another year for a crack at the title. The final blow for Sigalos came after a highly controversial decision to water the track during intermission. They watered the track so thoroughly that conditions changed dramatically, bringing a wave o[ protest from all the riders. In race l~ Sigalos was put to the test against the unbeaten Muller and former World Champ Ole Olsen. Siglalos made the trap on Muller off the start as Olsen led into the first turn. However, MullerquickIy swept past the American and overhauled Olsen a lap later. By that time, however, Sigalos had been so completely roosted by the muddy spray that he could no longer see. His frustration showed as he made his way back to the pits. Four races down and six points on his ledger meant that Sigalos wasn't destined for the top three, but his best race came in event 17. The lead changed every lap as Sigalos battled it out for the checkered flag with West German Karl Maier with Kenny Carter way back in third position. However, it was the West German sweeping around Sigalos in the last turn to take the three points for first. Although Lance King finished with only [our points in his first World Final outing, hecertainly should not be disappointed with his performance in such class company. His scorecard was somewhat odd, with last-, secondo, last-. secondo. and last-place finishes in his five ride. His biggest problem seemed to be with his starts, but he still battled hard for his points, and if nothingelse, heat least has the "feel" of riding in a World Final. King's [our points came in events six and 14. with runner-up finishes to Kenny Carter and Hans Nielsen. Australian Billy Sanders. not among the pre-race favorites, surprised a few people by winning his first two events and finishing second in the final thrff. for 12 points and second place. England's Mike "The Bike" Lee took third with II points. Lee started in fine style by winning the opening heat in record time. He finished second to Muller in his second ride and was looking good up until event 12. where a last-place finish virtually killed his chances of the title. Lee won his final race, but a runner-up performance by Sanders avoided a runoff [or second. Without a doubt, Muller was the finest rider on the track on this day. Even when he didn't get the best of starts, his speed and style were superb. Much to the delight of the crowd, Muller wheelied across the line after winning his fifth and [inal heat. Only one of Muller's win could be considered lucky; that being the aforementioned fifth heat when he wa trailing Hans Nielsen until the Danish rider broke his chain. Muller was competing with the, new Italian G.M. engine, the first time the engine has been used in World Final competition. Muller revealed after the race that he had "road tested"theengine with different cams. covering over 160 miles of country roads with a police escort. With a police escort. and the kind o[ buildup going into the World Final. is it any wonder that Muller gOt everything dialed in? • Results FINAL STANDINGS: 1. Egon Muller. West Germany (lSI: 2. Billy Sander•. AUSTralia (121: 3. Mike Lee, England (1'); 4. Erik Gundersen. Den· mart< (l O~ 5. Ole Oleen. Denmark (10); 6. Kenny Carter. England (1 0): 7. Han. Hieleen. Denmart< (9): 8. Oennis Sigalo., USA (8); 9. Karl Maier, West Germany (B): 10. Chris Morton. England (7): 11. Mitch Shirra. N_Zealand (7); 12. Lance King. USA (4): 13. Phil Collin.. England (4); 14. Antonin ~.CzechcIsIo..akia(3); lS.Zenon PIech. Poland (1): 16. Jiri Stancl. Czechool""akia (11.