New Zealand finished ahead of the United States, Australia and England and progressed to the next stage, an intercontinental play-off in Sweden.
"It was always our big problem - getting through that first round," says Ross. "Sweden suited us a bit better; the track was bigger, just like we had grown up on, and we got a bit of a roll on."
New Zealand won the round in Eskilstuna and qualified for the final - but were still seen as major outsiders. Denmark were the hot favourites, with golden boy Ole Olsen leading a strong line-up. Poland's team was spearheaded by the great Zenon Plech and drawn from a country of speedway fanatics, with crowds of more than 100,000 common in the 1970s, while Czechoslovakia had a seasoned squad.
New Zealand had the redoubtable presence of Ivan Mauger - the then 39-year-old had picked up his sixth world title earlier that year (Plech was runner-up). Ross had spent many years in the British first division, while 20-year-old Mitch Shirra was a promising young rider. Veteran Bruce Cribb and reserve Roger Abel rounded out the squad.
"We only had three riders in the first division [in England]. Cribby was in the second division and at the end of his career," says Ross. "We didn't have too many numbers to pick from but we pulled together well."
The final was at White City in London. Ross remembers the vocal expatriate support on the day - "Kiwis turned up from nowhere, giving us loud support" and other New Zealand riders came to assist in the pits. The team also benefited from being able to use Mauger's bikes, a class above those they normally rode.
"He was world champion, sponsored by the Jawa factory," says Ross. "He turned up and said, 'let's all ride my bikes'."
Jawa remains one of the two biggest bike manufacturers on the speedway circuit today. Mauger's machines, used in all but one of the races, delivered a vital edge.
"The first 30 metres is crucial," explains Ross. "If you get to that first corner first, you are the man to beat; you're in the box seat and it's hard for everyone else."
The margins were minuscule: "If you have a good bike that pulls well to the first corner and you can be one foot [30 cm] in front of the guy beside you ... all you do is put your elbow in front of him and that's it. If you don't quite make it and get stuck behind him and the other two guys go round the outside, you can go from first to last just because of a foot. So it was critical to have good bikes to get off the start."
New Zealand began well, collecting points from the outset. Olsen, a Mauger protege, was unbeatable but the Scandinavians hadn't counted on the spirit of the underdog Kiwis.
"It was a big call for Cribby to race these world-class riders," says Ross. "He was coming to the end of his career, riding second division and not in the same shape. But he was still a wily, smart rider and rose to the occasion.
"Mitch was a confidence rider - up and down - but when he was on, he was pretty special. I was usually steady, could pick up points, but not spectacular."
Coming into the penultimate race, New Zealand were just ahead. Ross was next to ride but wasn't happy with his allocated bike as the clutch felt like it was "on fire". Mauger gave Ross his bike, used in his world title win weeks earlier.
"I was so pumped up," says Ross. "I knew I needed to win that race to take the title for New Zealand. I almost overdid it on the first corner and touched the fence but I got ahead and no one passed me."
Despite Olsen scoring most points in the event (12), New Zealand (35) edged the Danes by three points. Ross (11 points) top-scored for New Zealand, followed by Shirra (10), Mauger (9) and a vital five points from Cribb.
"Cribby's effort was amazing - to get five points in a world final, absolutely critical," says Ross. "We started well and had the edge for the whole meeting. We all clicked on the day, didn't have any engine failures and the larger track [at White City] suited us. It was a magic day."
It was also unique. New Zealand never again progressed beyond the first round of the World Teams Cup. The event was Cribb's last major competition. Ross competed in the World Pairs championship eight times and qualified for the 1981 World (individual) final. Mauger remained a force until his retirement in 1986, and finished third (with Shirra) at the World Pairs championship in 1984. Shirra rode in seven world individual finals from 1983 to 1992, finishing in the top six twice.
"There were massive stadiums, packed all around Europe," says Ross of the 1970s and early 1980s. "When I was riding, it was the second biggest sport in England behind football and there were meetings on six days a week."
Like many, Ross laments the current lower profile of the sport in New Zealand.
"It's partly a sign of the times. When I was young on a Saturday night in Christchurch, there was nothing to do but go to speedway. Now there are endless options. But having the Speedway Grand Prix here has been a real boost and there are some promising kids around."
Ross still rides competitively - he is the current New Zealand long track champion and his son John and daughter Amy also compete, maintaining the passion Ross has for his beloved sport.
