17 Facts About Mitch Shirra

Mitch Shirra earned 17 caps for the New Zealand national speedway team.

In 1975, Mitch Shirra joined the Coventry Bees and was loaned out to the Coatbridge Tigers for a year.

Mitch Shirra returned to race for Reading in 1991, Swindon in 1992, the Ipswich Witches in 1993 and 1994 he was awarded best club rider that season.

In February 1978, Mitch Shirra won his first championship meeting when he took out the Australasian Championship at the Western Springs Speedway in Auckland.

Mitch Shirra won the British League Pairs Championship in 1978 with Ole Olsen.

That same year Coventry Bees won the British league title with Mitch Shirra riding at number 3.

Mitch Shirra won the Brandonapolis at Coventry in 1980, and won the Dutch Golden Helmet at Veenoord in 1982.

Mitch Shirra was on the rostrum at the Golden Helmet of Pardubice where he finished in 3rd place.

Mitch Shirra left Coventry to join Reading Racers for the 1983 season.

Mitch Shirra competed in his first individual World Final in 1983 at the Motodrom Halbemond in Norden, West Germany where he finished in 11th place having scored 7 points.

Mitch Shirra was again a World Finalist in 1984 at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden where he scored 10 points for a career best 5th place.

Mitch Shirra would go on to ride in another five World Finals during his career.

Mitch Shirra was 6th at the Munich Olympic Stadium in 1989.

In 1984, Mitch Shirra finished 3rd in the World Pairs Championship with Ivan Mauger in Lonigo, Italy.

In 1990, Mitch Shirra was named as the team manager for the World All-Stars team who took on England in a 3 match Sidecar speedway series ran in England.

Mitch Shirra is a three time New Zealand Champion, having won the title in 1982,1983, and 1984.

Mitch Shirra finished runner-up in the NZ Championship in 1979,1981 and 1987, while finishing third in 1986.