Under the Chequered Flag
Ivan Mauger
Arguably the world’s greatest-ever speedway rider, Ivan Mauger passed
away in Queensland on April 16 after battling dementia for several years.
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1939, after trying to break into the UK
scene at age 17, Mauger’s speedway career had all-but stalled until he spent
a season at Adelaide’s Rowley Park riding for Kym Bonython, where he
blossomed as a rider. Returning to England, Mauger gradually became the
man to beat, and after qualifying for his first World Final in 1966, he won the
first of three successive World championships in 1968, adding three more in
1972, 1977 and 1979. He was also World Long Track Champion in 1971, 1972
and 1976. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in
1976, and Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1989. The following
year he was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, and was
selected to carry the Olympic Torch at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Mauger
retired from active competition in 1986 and settled on the Queensland Gold
Coast. One of his last public appearances was at the Broadford Bike Bonanza in
2012 where he completed a number of demonstration laps on Neil Burston’s
ex-Jack Young JAP.■
RIGHTIvan Mauger at the 2012 Broadford Bike Bonanza.
Wally Martin
A familiar face as a rider and later an official
in the Newcastle district, WALLY MARTINwas
brought up at Hexham, where his parents
owned the general store, filling station and
also operated the Post Office.
Wal did an apprenticeship with Brambles Transport
as a motor mechanic, he topped every year at Tech
and used the bonus money to buy a motor bike. One
of his later jobs was work shop foreman for P & R
Williams Car Dealership, servicing MG, Riley and
Wolseley. His own car was an immaculate black 1951
2.5L Riley, well known for being the fastest tow car
to Gunnedah and Tamworth, where he rode short
circuit and scrambles meetings regularly.
Wal bought his XB 33 BSA new in 1948 and used
it for racing as well as his ride-to-work bike, as was
the case with most riders those days. Over time he
developed the motor to Gold Star standards. He also
rode Jack Leach’s Bantam. Wal was a very safe and
good B grade rider and he probably won more
125cc races than any other rider in his time,
including the 200cc Ultra Lightweight races unique
to the Tamworth Club. Wally was a member of
Mayfield MCC, and was for many years a club
delegate to the Northern Centre ACU and later as a
Northern Centre delegate to ACU NSW. When Wal’s
riding days finished, he became an ACU steward. He
was also one of the Mayfield members who was a
guarantor for the development of the Salty Creek
circuit, with his home on the line. He always had
the support of his wife Marie. Together, they helped
with raffles, working bees and fund raising events.
He was a best friend to me, always supportive,
prepared my bike over many nights in his garage
until he had taught me enough to be able to carry on
myself. I would never have been able to race without
his input. We started with my 1951 BSA 350cc
competition model, and I raced that bike on many
dirt short circuits, Bendemeer scrambles, Bathurst
road races, with a good share of success. Wal
fabricated the fuel tank, seat and tail piece and mud
guard brackets etc and nothing ever failed or cracked.
He was a water skier until heart surgery stopped
that, but he continued to teach many to ski behindhis boat. He played bowls and was awarded life
membership for his volunteer work with the club.
He was also a valued member of Probus in
Raymond Terrace in later years. He passed away on
20th March 2018 aged 91. His guidance to myself
and many others will not be forgotten, he was a
true sportsman and gentleman. ■Ivan Turnbull.Wally Martin in action- a keen racer and hard
worker for his sport.