This UK filmed documentary is one of the rarest videos available of Ivan Mauger, Speedway Legend. Mostly filmed in 1976, this documentary was broadcast only once in the winter of 1977, and has never been broadcast since.
Georgie Best, Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, Ivan Mauger and many other Manchester sportsmen were all my heros. Never had to ever look further than my home town to find a world champion. That meant a lot to a kid growing up in the slums. The ace of clubs adorned my dark red exercise books.
It was amazing to see Ullevi Stadium packed for the '77 final, even in horrid weather. Last years (2013) GP there looked to have perhaps only a thousand or so spectators.
That’s was when he rode for my local team EXETER FALCONS in the 70s I used to watch them every week he was my favourite rider and some years later we had his gold speedway bike in our book shop in town great days.
Don't forget Ivan was the star at Newcastle Diamonds during the 60s..his gold bike was on display for a while. Great racing from a great rider.. The best..
That 'gold bike' is now on permanent display at the Canterbury Museum, in his home town of Christchurch, New Zealand. I've seen it many times now - a great tribute to an amazing sportsman. RIP Ivan.
The bike (and other memorabilia) was purchased by the Canterbury Museum from Ivan's familiy, in his home town of Christchurch New Zealand in 2016, for $1.7 million. I'm not sure it's ever going to go on the market now, but will forever reside on public display in the museum. I've seen it many times now, visiting the museum on a yearly basis, since it first went on display in the museum in 2007.
