Guest Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 (edited) NZ World Team Cup 1974 I found this information absolutely fascinating. How things have changed over the years since then for New Zealand speedway? Am I wrong in thinking something similar may be happening in Britain? Edited December 18, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted December 31, 2016 Report Share Posted December 31, 2016 (edited) NZ World Team Cup 1974 I found this information absolutely fascinating. How things have changed over the years since then for New Zealand speedway? Am I wrong in thinking something similar may be happening in Britain? Firstly, I think it is harsh to even think about directly comparing the two. Since the sport first began, there has been organised - and high quality - league speedway at numerous venues across Britain; you can't say that about New Zealand at all. Of course, the late sixties and early seventies was a real boom period for the Kiwis, but I think that was the result of the post-war success on the world stage, albeit due to a relatively small number of riders. Ronnie and Briggo were the main men, but of course, Geoff Mardon, Trevor Redmond, and Ron Johnston were quality performers. Still, it wasn't until Ivan followed in their footsteps that there was a major influx of New Zealanders in British speedway. In addition to those already mentioned, look at who appeared in the BL in the first ten or so years of the BL. Wayne Briggs, Colin McKee, Graham Coombes, and Bill Andrew were followed by Bruce Cribb, Allan Brown, Colin Tucker, Bill Moulin, Bernie Lagrosse, Graeme Smith, Rick Timmo, Terry Shearer, Dave Whittaker, Murray Burt, Frank Shuter, Gary Peterson, Roger Wright, Colin Farquharson, Larry Ross, Mike Fullerton, Robin Adlington etc (plus non-natives Andrews, Gifford, and Shirra). None of them world-beaters (Ross and Shirra were closest), but all accomplished riders, but above all, a steady supply of talent. Then, by the mid-80's, things had changed, and other than David Bargh, and the two Marks - Thorpe and Lyndon - there was very little in the way of quantity or quality. I know things go in cycles, but it is disturbing just how it got, and in particular, how not one rider of any real potential has emerged. Yes, things aren't great in the UK, but I don't think there is any reason to compare it to what has happened in New Zealand. Steve Edited December 31, 2016 by chunky 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Firstly, I think it is harsh to even think about directly comparing the two. Since the sport first began, there has been organised - and high quality - league speedway at numerous venues across Britain; you can't say that about New Zealand at all. Of course, the late sixties and early seventies was a real boom period for the Kiwis, but I think that was the result of the post-war success on the world stage, albeit due to a relatively small number of riders. Ronnie and Briggo were the main men, but of course, Geoff Mardon, Trevor Redmond, and Ron Johnston were quality performers. Still, it wasn't until Ivan followed in their footsteps that there was a major influx of New Zealanders in British speedway. In addition to those already mentioned, look at who appeared in the BL in the first ten or so years of the BL. Wayne Briggs, Colin McKee, Graham Coombes, and Bill Andrew were followed by Bruce Cribb, Allan Brown, Colin Tucker, Bill Moulin, Bernie Lagrosse, Graeme Smith, Rick Timmo, Terry Shearer, Dave Whittaker, Murray Burt, Frank Shuter, Gary Peterson, Roger Wright, Colin Farquharson, Larry Ross, Mike Fullerton, Robin Adlington etc (plus non-natives Andrews, Gifford, and Shirra). None of them world-beaters (Ross and Shirra were closest), but all accomplished riders, but above all, a steady supply of talent. Then, by the mid-80's, things had changed, and other than David Bargh, and the two Marks - Thorpe and Lyndon - there was very little in the way of quantity or quality. I know things go in cycles, but it is disturbing just how it got, and in particular, how not one rider of any real potential has emerged. Yes, things aren't great in the UK, but I don't think there is any reason to compare it to what has happened in New Zealand. Steve ...and not forgetting Jack Millen of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 (edited) The Link for the 1974 season. NZ World Team Cup 1974 This the 1975 season. NZ World Team Cup 1975 This Link is for the 1976 season: NZ World Team Cup 1976 This Link is for the 1977 season: NZ World Team Cup 1977 The Link for the 1978 season. NZ World Team Cup 1978 The Link for the 1979 season. NZ World Team Cup 1979 The Link for the 1980 season: NZ World Team Cup 1980 The Link for the 1981 season: NZ World Team Cup 1981 The Link for the 1982 season: NZ World Team Cup 1982 The Link for the 1983 season: NZ World Team Cup 1983 The Link for the 1984 season: NZ World Team Cup 1984 The Link for the 1985 season: NZ World Team Cup 1985 The Link for the 1986 season and beyond (last part in the series): NZ World Team Cup 1986 + Edited March 12, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 The Link for the 1986 season and beyond: last part in the series. NZ World Team Cup 1986 + Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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