1939-2018
Inducted into MNZ Hall of Fame: 2004
Ivan Mauger was born in Christchurch on 4 October 1939. He is considered by many internationally to be the best speedway rider ever, winning six individual Speedway World Championship titles in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1977 and 1979, finishing runner-up in 1971, 1973 and 1974 and coming in third in 1967.
Alongside his individual titles, Mauger was World Pairs Champion in 1969 with Bob Andrews and 1970 with Ronnie Moore. He would finish runner up in 1971, 1972, 1978 and 1981 and finally third in 1984, partnering Mitch Shirra.
Three World Long Track Championships in 1971, 1972 and 1976 and four Speedway World Teams Championships (1968, 1969, 1971, and 1979) took his tally to 15 world titles.
Mauger was awarded an MBE in 1976 and an OBE in 1989. He was voted Halberg New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in 1977 and 1979, the only motorcycle sportsman to receive that award.
He won the New Zealand Speedway Championship on two occasions (1974 and 1981), and scored his first podium, a second, in the championship in 1959 behind then dual World Champion Barry Briggs. Surprisingly, considering his successful career, Mauger didn’t ride in the NZ Championship again until 1974. His only other podium in the championship was in 1979 when he placed third behind Larry Ross and Mitch Shirra.
There is no doubt that Ivan Mauger is the most successful motorcycle racer to come out of New Zealand. Ivan retired from racing in 1985, but went on to promote several high profile speedway events around the world and at home in New Zealand. He retired to live on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Ivan Mauger’s Career History.
| World Champion | 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1977, 1979 |
| World Long Track Champion | 1971, 1972, 1976 |
| British Champion | 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| British League Riders Champion | 1971, 1973 |
| Provincial League Riders’ Champion | 1963, 1964 |
| Northern Riders’ Champion | 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1980 |
| New Zealand Champion | 1974, 1981 |
| New Zealand Long track Champion | 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 |
| Australasian Grand Prix winner | 1970, 1971, 1972 |
| Australasian Champion | 1977, 1981 |
| Victorian State Champion(Aust) | 1962, 1963 |
| Qld State Champion(Aust) | 1962 |
| WA State Champion(Aust) | 1973 |
| European Champion | 1966, 1970, 1971, 1975 |
| Intercontinental Champion | 1975 |
| Scottish Open Champion | 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 |
| Australian Long Track Champion | 1962 |
| World Pairs Champion | 1969, 1970 |
| World Team Cup Winner | 1968, 1971, 1972, 1979 |
| British League Champion | 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974 |
| Provincial League Champion | 1964 |
Prepared for the MNZ Hall of Fame by Ian Dawson, Fast Kiwi Media