BROADSIDE THRILLS.

Auckland Star, 2 January 1931, Page 12

BROADSIDE THRILLS.

MATTSON'S FINE WIN.

BEATS KEMPSTER EASILY

EVENTS AT WESTERN SPRINGS,

Alf Mattson, Auckland and New Zealand dirt track champion, once more came into his own at Western Springs speedway on New Year's Eve, when lie rodo a brilliant race to beat and completely outclass the crack English rider, Jim Kcinpster. It was a aplendid victory. It was a great night at tne springs. The riding was fast and thrilling and the crowd was in an excellent and enthusiastic mood. Apart from Mattson's fine win, there was a good deal of sensational riding, Sel Casey, a B grade rider, thrilling the huge crowd with a desperate crash into the safety fence. A rider had fallen in front of him, and to avoid a dangerous collision, Casey had to ride out to the fence. He hit the fence with terrific force and his machine reared itself on its back wheel. For ten yards the machine shot along the fence in this manner—then Casey crashed. Mattson's great race with the Englishman was easily the most thrilling event of the evening. Mattson,. Bray and Kempster were the starters, Bond being forced to look on because both his motors had failed. Cinders shot liijrh into the air as the trio went into the first bend, and when they flattened out Mattson was in front, with Kempster second and Bray, who had been pushed out to the fence, a long way behind. On Mattson flew, with the Englishman chasing fast, but with every round, Mattson increased his lead while the crowd shouted and swayed. Mattson, giving his best performance so far this season, clung to the white line and never for a moment let his machine slide out. Kempster, famous for his white line riding, met his master. Mattson's victory .vas all the more creditable for the reason that Kempster had up till then scored win after win on New Zealand tracks. All the local men were riding in splendid form. The dazzling Australians, Bishop and Anderson, were always in the limelight. At the end of the racing programme a fine display of fireworks was given. Results were:— NEW YEAR HANDICAP. First Heat.—A. Mattson (Rudge), scr, 1; F. Day (Royal Enfield), 4£s, 2. Time, lm 28s. Second Heat.—C. Sheppard (Rudge), Gis, 1: W. Herbert (Royal Enfield), 5Js, 2. Time, lm 335. Third Heat. —J. Garmson (Norton), 4s, 1; C. Anderson (Rudge), scr, 2. Time, lin 31s. Fourth Heat.—J. Jordan (Douglas), ss, 1; A. Way (Norton), 4&s, 2. Time, lm 33 l-ss. First Semi-final. —W. Herbert (Royal Enfield), OJs, 1; F. Day (Royal Enfield), 4?.5, .The winner headed Sheppard off. and also shot past him. Mattson buck-jumped and made up little of his handicap. Time, ■1.38 1--JS. .Second Semi-final.—A. Way (Norton), 41s, 1; C. Anderson (Rudge), scr, 2. This was a thrilling race. Anderson rode a reckless race, and after shooting round the outside of the field, he got into second place. Time, lm 33Js. Final. —Herbert 1, Way 2. After a lap had been covered, Herbert, riding confidently, had a good lead on Way and Day. Anderson, going all out to catch the field, developed engine trouble, and in the third lap, Day fell. Time, lm 32 4-ss,

ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA. .Tack Bishop (Australia) (Rudge), 1; Jim Kenipster (England), (Rudge) 2. It was quite the race it promised to be. Bond led Bishop for two laps, and when in a winning position got into a bad slide and fell. Then Kenipster went up into second place, but he could not catch the flying Australian. Anderson rode a daring race, doing his best to clip out the field on the inside. The time was excellent. Time, lm 23 2-ss. AUSTRALIA V. AUCKLAND. C. Anderson (Australia) (Budge), 1; A. Mattson (.Auckland) (Rudge), 2. Anderson drew the inside of the field, with Bray next, Mattsoit third and Bishop on the outside of the field. Into the first bend the riders went at terrific speed. Bishop almost collided with Mattsou and the Australian slid out to the fence and crashed. Mattson held a comfortable lead now, and thinking he was on -an easy win. slowed down. Anderson caine with a great burst of speed, and purely through skilful and daring riding, he beat Mattson for first place. Time, l.m 255. AUCKLAND V. ENGLAND. A. Mattson (Auckland) (Rudgc), 1; J. Kenipster (England), (Rudge) 2. In view of the fact that both his motors were out of order, Bond could not start in this event. Kenipster drew the inside, Bray the ceutre and Mattson the outer. Mattson shot to the lead and outrode the English crack at every stage of the journey. Bray, on a, borrowed machine, was not in the picture. Time, lm 20s. A GRADE MATCH RACE. ■T. Garmson (Norton) 1, A. Way (Norton) 2. There were thrills in the first two laps of the race, the four going into the corners together in great style. Garmson struck his true form, and rode splendidly. Time, lm 26 3-ss. B GRADE HANDICAP. First Heat.—P. Fletcher fDouslas), 4s, 1: B. Cairns (Douglas), 3s '•_'. Time, lm 3T 3-.Ts. Second Heat—R, Vynall (Velocette) Gs, 1 : D. Mattson (Blackburn), 2. Time, lm 375. Third Heat.—J. Stewart (Norton) 4s, 1; D. Mattson (Blackburn), 3s, 2. Final.—Stewart 1, Mattsou 2. After two laps, the backmarker, Mattson, had moved up into second place. Stewart led throughout the race. Time, lm 33 2-ss. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP. First Heat.—F. Day (Royal Enfield), 4Js. 1 : A. Mattson (Rudge), scr, 2. Time, lm 31 i-ris. Second Heat.—,T. Garmson (Norton), 4Js, 1 : B. Bray (Douglas), 3s, 2. Time, lm 30 4-Jis. Final.—B. Bray (Rudge), 4£s, 1 ; ,T. Garniison (Norton). 3s 2. Bray and Garmson had a great go, passing each other twice. Mattson's Rudge was not going at its best and he ran third. Time, lm 32 4-Os.