MOTOR CYCLE RACES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 26 February 1923, Page 9

MOTOR CYCLE RACES.

ANNUAL SPEED TEST. HELD AT TAKAPUXA. The fourth annual motor evele spoAe of the Auckland Motor Racing Club Ltd , were held on Saturday on the Takapuna Jockey Club Racecourse, Devonport. Large crowds went across by the ferry steamers before one o'clock, and each boat after that was crowded with patrons of this thrilling sport. Until the first race started, those early in attendance were kept interestd by many of the "speed merchants'' who were making circuits at a fast pace, trying out the track, which was in good order. However, the surface was a trifle greasy. hut, improved as the races progressed. A fairly strong south west wind appeared rather trying to the competitors and kept the speed down a little on the corners. Excellent entries were recorded, all the prominent racing men in the Dominion being included amongst tiip riders. The large crowd was thrilled by the daring cornering of the three crack riders, Percy C'oleman, L. -Mangham and S. Whitehead. There was one spill, Coleman coming to grief at a corner in the fourth lap in the Groat Northern Handicap. He escaped injury, and later in the day won the heavyweight championship, and President's Handicap, and also broke the world's grass track record. Results are as follows: — FIVE MILE QUALIFYING HANDICAP. A. W. Powell (4 Harley Davidson), 00e.. 1 <"'. Walker CH livlinnl. 15s - 'H. A. Grayson (2} Douglas), 90s J Fifteen started. TAKAPCJJA HANDICAP. OPEN. Seven milea. C. Goodwin (2J Douglas), 1559 P. L'oieuiau (7 Indian. •Jβ - S. Whitehead (7 Big X>, scratch J Fourteen started. Time, 8.3"J 2-5. NEW ZEALAND HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. Fifteen miles <for Challenge Cup. value of £50). P. Coleman (7 h.p. Indian! } S. Whitehead (7 h.p. Excelsior) jN. R. Souter (7 h.p. Indian) *> The only finishers. L. Manenam (7 h.\>. Harley-Davirtsou) and S. V. Blackmore (3J h.p. Indian) also started, but withdrew early in the race. GREAT NORTHERN HANDICAP (Open), twelve miles, for "Big Tree" Cup. T. J. Laughlin (7 h.p. Harley Davidson), ]00s 1 L. Mangbam (7 h.p. Harley Davidson). 42g 2 S. Whitehead" (V h.p. Excelsior), scratch.. 3 Eleven started. Won by about 300 yard», a similar distance between second and third. Time. 12.22 2-5. FIVE MILE HANDICAP, 600 c.c. A. .T. Roycroft <2i h.p. Matchless), 110s 1 , S. 1. Blackmore (3i b.p. Indian). 1005..2 A. J. Grayson (2| h.p. Douglas), 110e .. <5 Ten started, the limit men keeping well out in front throughout. Time. 0.43. FIRST APPEARANCR HANDICAP. Five miles. T. CraKg (SJ h.p. Triumph). 75« » H. A. Steinert (2} h.p. A.J.5.),70s ...... - A W. Powell (4 n.p. Harley-Davlduon), 90s •* Eleven started. Won by a yard, several yards separating the second and third men. Time, 5.55 3-5. PRESIDENTS HANDICAP (Open), Six miles. P Coleman (7 h.p. Indian), scratch...... 1 P S Nash (7 h.p. Harley-Davldson), 80s 2 O. Shakespeare (7 h.p. Indian), ios *i Nine starters. Coleman again from the scratch mark rapidly overhauled the limit men and passed them In the fifth lap. ue won by 18s. after giving the spectators a seneatlonal exhibition. Time. 4.48 3-5. WORLD'S RECORD LOWERED. Five minutes after hie laat race, Goleman set out in an endeavour to lower the worM s record of 48 3-os established by S. Whitehead Inst year. He was successful in acoompiUhUg the eight furlongs In 48b dead. CONSOLATION HANDICAP. Five mllet. Mouat (2$ Matchless). 100 st Armitage (2f m.p. Scot), UOs *! Steinert (-'j h.p. A.J.S.). 10s 6 Nine starters. Won by a hundred yards. Time, 5.33.