(SPEEDWAY 1)
IVAN Mauger, the most-decorated motorcycle speedway rider of all time, has announced his retirement from public life.Mauger, 73, had a stellar career during which he won six individual solo titles between 1968-79, and received the OBE and MBE for his services to motorsport. His British career included spells with Wimbledon, Rye House, Eastbourne, Newcastle, Belle Vue, Exeter and Hull.Born in Christchurch, based in Europe for most of his 30 years in racing and now living in retirement on Australia's Gold Coast, he has continued to be an influential figure intimately connected with the sport and in constant demand for personal appearances.But because of poor health and a wish to spend more time with his family he has decided he will not be undertaking any further public engagements or media commitments.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
EDINBURGH and Wolverhampton face an anxious wait with an appeal lodged in an attempt to secure a work permit for Australian youngster Sam Masters.2011 Premier League Riders Champion Masters has seen his application refused on a technicality, falling foul of a new rule which was not in force when his previous visa expired last November.A Monarchs statement read: Sam meets all the criteria for entry to the UK. Hes an established rider in this country with an average to prove he is of suitable ability. He is the current New South Wales champion, which is way beyond the requirements. He has all the necessary qualifications to gain entry to this country but the UK Embassy in Australia has other ideas.There is a points-based set-up with the worker gaining points under various criteria such as ability to speak English, having sufficient money to live on in this country and various other items. The maximum score that anyone can attain in this test is 100 and Sam had the perfect score of 100.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
BUXTON newcomer Matt Williamson has qualified for the British Under-21 Final having secured a top-seven place from his first-ever speedway meeting.Williamson scored seven points in the semi-final in tough conditions at Plymouth on Saturday to book a place in the Final at Dudley next month.British Youth co-boss Neil Vatcher said: All credit must go to the Plymouth track staff for getting a very wet track ready, and to the 18 riders for completing 16 races in what were not ideal conditions.Matt was making his competitive speedway debut and won his first-ever two races, which set him up nicely.
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 20:CHALLENGE: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30
THURSDAY MARCH 21:CHALLENGE 1st leg: Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30CHALLENGE: Swindon v British Lions 7.30
FRIDAY MARCH 22:CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Lakeside v Peterborough 8pmTRAVEL PLUS TROPHY 1st leg: Coventry v Dudley 8pmASHLEY JONES MEMORIAL: Kings Lynn 7.30CHALLENGE: Plymouth v Exeter Select 7.30
