Larry Ross (speedway rider)

Larry Ross

Born	(1954-06-15) June 15, 1954 (age 70) Christchurch, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealander
Career history
1975-1980	Wimbledon Dons
1981-1984	Belle Vue Aces
1985	Halifax Dukes
1986	Bradford Dukes
Individual honours
1977	London Riders' Champion
1980	The Laurels
1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990	New Zealand Champion
2006	New Zealand Long Track Champion
Team honours
1979	World Team Cup
1982	British League Champion
1979	Spring Gold Cup Winner
1983	British League Cup Winner

Larry Ross (born 15 June 1954 in Christchurch, New Zealand)[1] is a former motorcycle speedway rider from New Zealand. He earned 26 caps for the New Zealand national speedway team.[2]

Career summary

Ross began riding at the Templeton track in Christchurch in 1972. He moved to England in 1975 and joined the Wimbledon Dons, where he spent six seasons from 1975 until 1980. He was a protege of the legendary Ivan Mauger.[3] While riding at Plough Lane, he won the London Riders' Championship in 1977 and the London Cup three times. He also topped the team averages twice.[4]

In 1979, he was a member of the New Zealand national speedway team, which won the World Team Cup.[5][6] He was also a non-riding reserve for the 1979 World Final (won for a record 6th time by fellow Kiwi rider Ivan Mauger).

In 1980, he was third in the British League Riders' Championship and the following year he rode in the World Championship final at Wembley. In 1981, he switched from Wimbledon to join Belle Vue Aces and helped win the league title during the 1982 British League season.[4] He left Belle Vue to join Halifax Dukes on loan for the 1985 British League season.[7]

From 1977 to 1986, he rode in eight finals of the World Pairs Championship with Ivan Mauger and Mitch Shirra. Riding with Mauger he was runner-up in 1978 and in 1981.

During his long career, Larry Ross won the New Zealand Championship a record nine times.[8]

In 2006, he came out of retirement to win the New Zealand long track championship.

World Final Appearances

Individual World Championship

• 1979 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - reserve - did not ride
• 1981 - London, Wembley Stadium - 13th - 4pts[9]

World Pairs Championship

• 1977 - Manchester, Hyde Road (with Ivan Mauger) - 5th - 17pt (1)
• 1978 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium (with Ivan Mauger) - 2nd - 24pt (12)
• 1979 - Vojens, Vojens Speedway Center (with Ivan Mauger) - 6th - 12pt (6)
• 1980 - Krsko, Matija Gubec Stadium (with Ivan Mauger) - 5th - 16pt (5)
• 1981 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium (with Ivan Mauger) - 2nd - 22pt (10)
• 1982 - Sydney, Liverpool City Raceway (with Mitch Shirra) - 6th - 13pt (8)
• 1983 - Gothenburg, Ullevi (with Ivan Mauger) - 7th - 11pt (4)
• 1986 - Pocking, Rottalstadion (with Mitch Shirra) - 5th - 32pt (20)

World Team Cup

• 1979 - London, White City (with Ivan Mauger / Mitch Shirra / Bruce Cribb / Roger Abel) - Winner - 35pt (11)

References

1. Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook. ISBN 0-948882-00-X
2. "Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
3. "Speedway Changes". Reading Evening Post. 20 September 1975. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
4. "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
5. "Motorsport: kiwi battlers ruled the world". Herald on Sunday. Auckland. 30 March 2014.
6. "Mauger's dream come true". Manchester Evening News. 17 September 1979. Retrieved 23 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
7. "Team taking shape as new season looms". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 21 February 1985. Retrieved 29 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
8. "Championship results archive". Speedway New Zealand. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
9. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5

External links

• Speedway New Zealand - NZ championship results