Ivan's Gold Plated Bike

The prize for winning three world championships in a row. A gold plated bike, (see next 4 pics from Ivan's collection).  Second to the Winged Wheels, this is Ivan's most cherished possession.  The 17 yr old from New Zealand rode at Wimbledon then impressed first at Newcastle where he scored his first success.  His career took off at Belle Vue with his triple crown, then wins as an Exeter Falcon and Hull Viking  World speedway champion 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1977 and 1979.  Ivan won other championships but is remembered here for his 6 world speedway titles.

The most beautiful bike in the world? Maybe? In my opinion, Rotrax Japs look great too but this Jawa has history and is gold plated. Is that Ivan's face reflected in the fuel tank? Yes well the bike does belong to the maestro. Thanks for the memories Ivan.

1968 World Championship success

Ivan's first world championship win, 1968 in Gothenberg.  Sweden witnesses the beginning of an era. Ivan Mauger has arrived on the world scene.  The Newcastle Diamond wins the world crown and becomes New Zealand's third great.  Ivan is following in the footsteps of Barry Briggs and Ronnie Moore.  How did this small country New Zealand come to dominate world speedway?  Ivan was in the shadow of his countrymen for a while but by 1970 had taken over as New Zealand's top sportsman.

Ivan says: the Daily Mirror picture was when the Sunday Mirror presented it to me to keep after my 5^th Win.  It took them 7 years to do it as after I won at Wembley they announced that If I can win it 3 times in a row they will give to me to keep. 
You did that Ivan. so it is yours to keep.  No other rider has that honour, so well done mate. How much does Raye spend each week on polishes to keep your trophies sparkling

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Ivan says this picture was taken in 1957 Christchurch NZ a couple weeks before I went to England to ride at Wimbledon.  Ivan was never very big but he looks tiny in this picture.  Wimbledon never realised the guys potential.  It took another 6 years and Ivan's arrival on Tyneside in 1963 for him to hit the top.

Ivan says: The 79 trophy was at Katowice Poland after the 1979 Final

Ivan says: me leading in the 1979 world final at Katowice, Poland

Ivan says: This is my world record bike.

The world record bike was when I set the World Long track record at Alexander Park in Feb 1986 at Auckland .

That record (144.666) still stands despite all the current crop of LT rider having 10% more HP and leading link front suspension and mono shock rear suspension that keeps both wheels on the track. When I done that my bike was all over the track.

Ivan's 1962 ESO

I was surprised to learn that Ivan rode an ESO in Australia before he came to the UK and began his association with British JAPS. But you see Ivan was always a surprising guy