THRILLS AT MURIWAI.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 29, 4 February 1928, Page 11

THRILLS AT MURIWAI.

FAST CARS COMPETING.

ANNUALi MOTOR CAR RACES.

"Merry, mcchanical Muriwai" would best describe the beautiful ironsand beach and the dense green bush at.the popular West Coast where the annual motor car races of the Auckland Automobile Association are being held to-day. Besides being merry, bccausc the campers are a happy, care-free lot, Muriwai is also hot and dusty. The rush set in in earnest early yesterday afternoon. At short intervals car loads arrived with passengers, who quickly disembarked to select a quiet camping spot under the trees and handy to the beach. Even when darkness came the motorists continued to arrive, some making Muriwai as late as 4 o'clock this morning. Then there was a lull till 7 a.m., when the procession of light cars started again.

Many of the drivers and their mechanics worked on their cars until a late hour last night in an endeavour to squeeze from the throbbing motors every available ounce of speed. They were astir early this morning making the last adjustments prior to a final trial on the beach when the tide receded. Ihe beach is in good order, and some fast times should be registered. All the best speed merchants of the Dominion, and several from Sydney and Melbourne, arc at Muriwai, and to-day's events should provide the crowd with plenty of thrills and excitement. OPEN SPRINT HANDICAP. One mile and n-lialf, straight. First Ileat. Chrysler (H„ Curlett). 15s 1 Sunbeam (C. W. F. Hamilton), 3s .... 2 Miller Special (11. K. Cutten). 3s .... U The first four ears appeared to he in a straight line half a mile- from the judge's hox. The Chrysler drew out and won by 35 yards from the Sunbeam, which, in turii, was ten yards in front of the Miller Special. Buick was fourth and Essex next. Second Heat. F.ugatti (11. lily the), 15s 1 Sunbeam <G. Henning). 3s 2 Austin (N. H. New comb), 20s 3 Won easily hy 200 yards, with the Austin 110 yards back in third position. The Stutz appeared to have trouble at the start, and finished half a minut# behind the third car. Final. Miller Special <H. K. Cutten) 1 liugatti (H. Blythe) 2 Sunbeam (C. W. F. Hamilton) 3 It was an exciting finish, the Miller Special crossing the liup forty yards ahead of the Bugatti. which beat the Sunbeam by fifteen yards. The Chrysler was close up, followed by Sunbeam and Austin. LADIES* HANDICAP. Two miles straight. Essex (Miss Wood) 1 Ansaldo (Mrs. ,1. Brooke) 2 Oakland (Miss IS. Monk) 3 Won by 15 yards, the second and third cars being close together. The Uu.ck driven by Miss Selb*- was fourth.