top 10 Antipodean riders

[JohnnyO]

Mauger was multiple world speedway champ......Miller was a top MXer in Aussie and NZ.

Both are legends.. I think Miller also had some success in England.

[Mick D]

Excuse my ignorance about NZ racers, but on longevity and record alone Ivan Mauger has to be number 1 Kiwi.
Mick Doohan is definitely top Oz, if he hadn't mauled his leg he would have won 7 in a row I reckon.

Definitely Mick Doohan for me too Curly. I think I would have them all on VHS. He dragged me into the scene, with his fearless determination, I couldn't miss a race(TV).

[Curly3]

Burt nearly pulled 2 in the movie, but 1 had goolies.
Drivin Ivan Mauger actually was a 10 time World Champ, he won 6 Speedway & 4 Longtrack titles, there may be more. Maugers career spanned 4 decades.

[Mick D]

Burt nearly pulled 2 in the movie, but 1 had goolies.
Drivin Ivan Mauger actually was a 10 time World Champ, he won 6 Speedway & 4 Longtrack titles, there may be more. Maugers career spanned 4 decades.

Yeah that's right, you are right about Burt

Ivan Maugers achievement, Wow. 

[Stan S]

Mick, this is a bit of a run down on Ivan Mauger's speedway career.

Titles

    * World Champion: 1968,1969,1970,1972,1977,1979 - R/Up 1971,1973,1974[1]
    * New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year ( Halberg Award ) 1977 and 1979.
    * World 1000m Longtrack Champion 1971,1972,1976 R/Up 1974,1975
    * World Pairs Champion 1969,1970 R/Up 1971,1972,1978,1981
    * World Team Speedway Champion 1968,1971,1972,1979
    * European Champion 1966,1970,1971,1975
    * British Champion 1968,1970,1971,1972
    * Intercontinental Champion 1975
    * New Zealand Champion 1974, 1981
    * Australasian Champion 1977, 1981
    * British-Nordic Champion 1968, 1971
    * British League Riders Champion 1971, 1973
    * Embassy Internationale Winner 1970, 1971, 1972
    * Northern Riders Champion 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1980
    * Provincial League Riders Champion 1963, 1964
    * Lubos Tomicek Memorial Trophy Winner 1971, 1972, 1973, 1979
    * Silver Sash Match Race Champion 1968, 1969
    * Golden Helmet Match Race Champion 1970
    * Scottish Open Champion 1970
    * Scotianapolis Winner 1969, 1970
    * Leningrad Cup (USSR) Winner 1969
    * Lokeren Memorial Trophy Winner 1970
    * Golden Key of Bremen 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975
    * Australian Long Track Champion 1962
    * Victorian Champion 1962, 1963
    * Yorkshire Television Trophy 1979, 1980
    * Lada Indoor International 1979

Guinness Book of Records

    * Most Individual Championship Wins 9 (6 Speedway / 3 Longtrack),
    * First Person to Win World Speedway and Longtrack in same year,
    * Only Person to Win 3 Individual World Titles in succession,
    * Most Individual World Speedway Wins 6 (Joint with Tony Rickardsson)
    * Most World Final Championship Finals 52,
    * First Person to Win World Speedway, World Longtrack, World Pairs, and World Team Cup, Championships (Achieved 1971 with World Longtrack win)

[Davey Crocket]

Geez....he was a busy boy....use to watch him in NZ in the 70's when he came home for a well deserved break.

[Curly3]

I rest my case.
Thanks Stan, I'd even put him up for Worlds best.

[Mick D]

Mick, this is a bit of a run down on Ivan Mauger's speedway career.

Titles

    * World Champion: 1968,1969,1970,1972,1977,1979 - R/Up 1971,1973,1974[1]
    * New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year ( Halberg Award ) 1977 and 1979.
    * World 1000m Longtrack Champion 1971,1972,1976 R/Up 1974,1975
    * World Pairs Champion 1969,1970 R/Up 1971,1972,1978,1981
    * World Team Speedway Champion 1968,1971,1972,1979
    * European Champion 1966,1970,1971,1975
    * British Champion 1968,1970,1971,1972
    * Intercontinental Champion 1975
    * New Zealand Champion 1974, 1981
    * Australasian Champion 1977, 1981
    * British-Nordic Champion 1968, 1971
    * British League Riders Champion 1971, 1973
    * Embassy Internationale Winner 1970, 1971, 1972
    * Northern Riders Champion 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1980
    * Provincial League Riders Champion 1963, 1964
    * Lubos Tomicek Memorial Trophy Winner 1971, 1972, 1973, 1979
    * Silver Sash Match Race Champion 1968, 1969
    * Golden Helmet Match Race Champion 1970
    * Scottish Open Champion 1970
    * Scotianapolis Winner 1969, 1970
    * Leningrad Cup (USSR) Winner 1969
    * Lokeren Memorial Trophy Winner 1970
    * Golden Key of Bremen 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975
    * Australian Long Track Champion 1962
    * Victorian Champion 1962, 1963
    * Yorkshire Television Trophy 1979, 1980
    * Lada Indoor International 1979

Guinness Book of Records

    * Most Individual Championship Wins 9 (6 Speedway / 3 Longtrack),
    * First Person to Win World Speedway and Longtrack in same year,
    * Only Person to Win 3 Individual World Titles in succession,
    * Most Individual World Speedway Wins 6 (Joint with Tony Rickardsson)
    * Most World Final Championship Finals 52,
    * First Person to Win World Speedway, World Longtrack, World Pairs, and World Team Cup, Championships (Achieved 1971 with World Longtrack win)

Wow, thanks Stan S. I am with Curlys last post, beat That. Frickin amazing.

[TT]

I might cop some flak here, but in my opinion, Mick Doohan is indeed one of the greats but there wasn't a lot of competition in his era.
He came into his own when Rainey, Schwantz etc retired. He was definitely their equal, but had they been around a little longer, I don't believe he would have won as many titles as he did.

I'm more impressed by guys like Wayne Gardner for example and how they made their way to the top. Spending months living out of a van and even riding their bikes to the track just to make it to the races!

I know that's like saying Ago would have kicked Rossi's butt and maybe just a worthless observation...............  

[Mick D]

I might cop some flak here, but in my opinion, Mick Doohan is indeed one of the greats but there wasn't a lot of competition in his era.

Your kiddin aren’t ya. Five world championships. Anyhow I am not going to stay and argue. I am out of here.

[Lozza]

I might cop some flak here, but in my opinion, Mick Doohan is indeed one of the greats but there wasn't a lot of competition in his era.

Mick just convinced everyone else they were riding for second place

[JohnnyO]

I might cop some flak here, but in my opinion, Mick Doohan is indeed one of the greats but there wasn't a lot of competition in his era.
He came into his own when Rainey, Schwantz etc retired. He was definitely their equal, but had they been around a little longer, I don't believe he would have won as many titles as he did.

I'm more impressed by guys like Wayne Gardner for example and how they made their way to the top. Spending months living out of a van and even riding their bikes to the track just to make it to the races!

I know that's like saying Ago would have kicked Rossi's butt and maybe just a worthless observation...............  

If you remember back to '92 Mick was kicking everyones butt including Rainey and Schwantz and had a huge lead in the championship when he broke his leg. He missed several races and came back on crutches to ride the last race and only just missed out on the title.
He was beating the best before they retired and to go on and win 5 titles with a leg like his is a remarkable achievement.

[Marc.com]

Mick just convinced everyone else they were riding for second place
[/quote]

Too true Doohan was the Rossi of his day, completely dominant and tough as nails. remember Mick did it without traction control and anti wheelie.

Hugh Anderson was probably my ommission but he comes from or on the back of an Era of Surtees, Reed, Hailwood, etc who probably in the front of my brain/

[Marc.com]

OK GLOVES OFF, best NZ rider, best Aussie:

1. As mentioned Hugh Anderson and Ivan Mauger would get it off world titles and longevity.

2. No brainer Doohan, Michael .... totally dominated, fist full of world champs, could ride through injury, wasn't a wanker and you can't really debate he was the best from down under.

Best rider on ever, I am not buying that it was Hailwood or Ago, Valentino Rossi, won and and keeps on winning without Agos equipment advantage.

[firko]

Best NZ rider.....Ivan Mauger. Pity he's such a prick.
Best Aussie .....Mick Doohan. Nice bloke to boot.
Best rider ever...I'll go with Vale Rossi....funny little bugger.
My Favourite....Randy Mamola.....almost but not quite.