The Internationale 1972
By Tracy Holmes

May 29 and rain all day that cleared in time but made sure the track was wet and heavy. Wills were still 'the best in smoking' but, 'Every packet carries a government health warning.' Say what?!

The question on everybody's lips, could Ronnie Moore bag this one before he retired, again? He was now riding Jawas and was hot as any Embassy Filter Virginia!

Despite the weather, it was reported that the attendance was a record 21,300! Ronnie started well in heat 1, gating from the outside and leaving Terry Betts, Eric Boocock and Reider Eide to sing "mud, mud, glorious mud." When he beat Ivan Mauger in heat 8, his Wimbledon fans went crazy with anticipation. Bengt Jansson however crashed the party with victory in heat 12, making himself unbeaten at half time, 9 points, leaving Ronnie one point behind, 8 points equal with the World Champion, Ole Olsen. But the good news was that Ivan Mauger had 7, after dropping another point to Christer Lofqvist.

Round four sees Mauger stay in contention winning heat 13. Then Ronnie's fans are ecstatic once again as Jansson drops two points in heat 14 behind Ray Wilson and Eric Boocock.

Heat 16 sees a titanic battle that Ole Olsen wins from Ronnie. So one round to go and the scores are Ole Olsen 11, Ronnie Moore 10, Ivan Mauger 10 and Bengt Jansson 10! The last two heats may seal the deal. Ole Olsen was 4 laps away from the Grand Prize. He lined up against Mauger and Jansson in heat 19.

Here is how Philip Rising from 'Speedway Star' saw it and Ole go down:

"Olsen reared soon after leaving the gate and fell backwards, with his bike, on to Jansson who in turn clouted Mauger, who careers across the centre green, scattering officials and ambulance men."

Can you imagine the carnage? Good heavens, what a way for Ole to blow that in a puff of Embassy smoke! He was immediately excluded, leaving Mauger and Jansson to fight it out. And it was Mauger who gated and set himself up for a possible run-off leaving Jansson to be again, ever so close.

All eyes now on heat 20 and Garry Middelton puts Ronnie in the fence! Then Mirac forces Mauger to a 1st place run-off. Now, I know what ya thinking, sorry Harry. After watching Ronnie's horrific crash the previous year, robbing him of the Title ... I put this to Ivan and his response was immediate, "No and Ronnie would not have thanked me for it!"

Well, there ya go! When Ivan made the gate, it was all over despite Ronnie doing everything he could, it just was not going to happen. For Ronnie Moore, the Internationale was the one that got away. 6 appearances, 4 times on the podium, twice on the same points as the winner.

Ivan Mauger equals the record of three in a row and joins Ove Fundin as Internationale Masters. Again, not the result Wimbledon fans dreamed of but for Speedway, another magnificent showpiece.

Heat 1. MOORE, Betts, E Boocock, Eide.
Heat 2. Olsen, Michanek, Ashby, Persson.
Heat 3. MAUGER, BRIGGS, Wilson, N Boocock.
Heat 4. Jansson, Hedge, Lofqvist, Middelton.
Heat 5. Jansson, Michanek, Eide. BRIGGS ef.
Heat 6. Olsen, Middelton, E Boocock, N Boocock.
Heat 7. Betts, Ashby, Wilson, Lofqvist.
Heat 8. MOORE, MAUGER, Hedge, Persson.
Heat 9. Wilson, Olsen, Eide, Hedge.
Heat 10. Lofqvist, MAUGER, Michanek, E Boocock.
Heat 11. Middelton, Persson, Betts, BRIGGS.
Haet 12. Jansson, MOORE, Ashby, N Boocock.
Heat 13. MAUGER, Middelton, Ashby, Eide.
Heat 14. Wilson, E Boocock, Jansson, Persson.
Heat 15. Michanek, Betts, N Boocock, Hedge.
Heat 16. Olsen, MOORE, Lofqvist, BRIGGS.
Heat 17. Lofqvist, Eide, N Boocock, Kilby. Persson ex/tapes.
Heat 18. Ashby, BRIGGS, Hedge, E Boocock.
Heat 19. MAUGER, Jansson, Betts. Olsen fall/ex.
Heat 20. MOORE, Wilson, Michanek. Middelton ex.
1st place run-off. MAUGER, MOORE.

IVAN MAUGER 13. RONNIE MOORE 13. Bengt Jansson 12. Ole Olsen 11. Ray Wilson 10. Anders Michanek 9. Terry Betts 9. Martin Ashby 8. Christer Lofqvist 8. Garry Middelton 7. Reider Eide 4. BARRY BRIGGS, 4. Trevor Hedge 4. Eric Boocock 4. Nigel Boocock 2. Bernt Persson 2. Res Bob Kilby 0. Res Howard Cole dnr.

This article was first published on 31st March 2020