Larry Ross (speedway rider) explained

Larry Ross
Nationality:New Zealander
Birth Date:15 June 1954
Birth Place:Christchurch, New Zealand
Years1:1975-1980
Career1:Wimbledon Dons
Years2:1981-1984
Career2:Belle Vue Aces
Years3:1985
Career3:Halifax Dukes
Years4:1986
Career4:Bradford Dukes
Indivyear1:1977
Indivhonour1:London Riders' Champion
Indivyear2:1980
Indivhonour2:The Laurels
Indivyear3:1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990
Indivhonour3:New Zealand Champion
Indivyear4:1985, 1988, 1989, 1990
Indivyear5:2006
Indivhonour5:New Zealand Long Track Champion
Teamyear1:1979
Teamhonour1:World Team Cup
Teamhonour2:British League Champion
Teamyear2:1982
Teamyear3:1979
Teamhonour3:Spring Gold Cup Winner
Teamyear4:1983
Teamhonour4:British League Cup Winner

Larry Ross (born 15 June 1954 in Christchurch, New Zealand)[1] is a New Zealand former motorcycle speedway rider.[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. 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.[3]

In 1979, he was a member of the New Zealand national speedway team, which won the World Team Cup.[4] 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.[3]

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 runnerup in 1978 and in 1981.

During his long career, Larry Ross won the New Zealand Championship a record nine times.[5]

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

World Final Appearances

Individual World Championship

World Pairs Championship

World Team Cup

External links

Notes and References

  1. Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook.
  2. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 1 October 2023.
  3. Web site: Rider averages 1929 to 2009 . Speedway Researcher . 30 September 2023.
  4. News: Motorsport: kiwi battlers ruled the world. Herald on Sunday. Auckland. 30 March 2014.
  5. Web site: Championship results archive. Speedway New Zealand. 2023-04-20.
  6. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing.