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Photo - Jason Crump:
TWO reigning world speedway champions and two former world champions will go head-to-head in New Zealand next month.
Australian Jason Crump was crowned the 2004 World Speedway Champion: in the short track version of the sport in Norway at the weekend and now he’s coming to race in Taranaki.
According to New Zealand Grand Prix promoter Ivan Mauger, Crump will really throw the cat among the pigeons at the fifth and final round of this year’s Long Track Speedway World Championship, at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Raceway on November 6.
The 29-year-old Australian did just enough at the final round in Norway on Sunday to snuff out the stern challenge of Swedish arch-rival Tony Rickardsson and become only the fourth Australian speedway champion, and the first since Jack Young in 1952.
"Crump can’t win the long track world championship because the New Zealand event will be his only appearance in this year’s series but he’ll have a big say in who does win the crown", said Mauger, himself a nine-time former world champion.
Mauger explained there are 25 points available to the winner of the New Zealand GP and only 20 to the runner-up, with points dropping away sharply after that, so the riders will be scrambling like mad at Pukekura Raceway to get those few points.
English rider Kelvin Tatum leads this year’s Long Track Speedway World Championship by just 10 points from Germany’s Gerd Riss. Tatum (40) was long track speedway world champion in 1995, 1998 and 2000. Riss was champion in 1991, 1996, 1999 and 2001.
The reigning world champion, Germany’s Robert Barth, will also race at the New Zealand GP but injuries have handicapped his 2004 title defence and he is currently a distant 13th in the standings.
One thing is for sure, Barth and Crump will both have an influence on which way the trophy goes.
"This is just brilliant, and something that I have worked towards my entire speedway career", said Crump after Sunday night’s win.
"It’s been a terrific battle all year and this night is one that I will cherish forever. Last year was a bummer of a final round in Norway, so it’s extra special to return and do the business.
What a way to win the championship just having a bit of fun", said Crump, who was competing in his 59th GP over a 10-year period.
Crump is now the second Australian to win a world motorcycle championship in 2004, following in the footsteps of Karl Muggeridge, who recently won the Supersport title in road racing.
