BRILLIANT MATTSON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 12

BRILLIANT MATTSON.

TWICE BEATS KILMISTER.

SENSATIONAL CRASH.

EVENTS AT WESTERN SPRINGS.

Once again Alf. Mattson, Dominion and Auckland champion, by brilliant and daring riding, demonstrated his superiority over Wally Kilmister, his old rival from Wellington. On Saturday night, at Western Springs Speedway, appearing for the last time before they leave for England, Mattson and Kilmister rode two thrilling races, both bein"- won by the local man. The third was abandoned.

Mattson and Kilmister were concerned in a sensational crash, one of the most spectacular seen on the track for a long time. After half a dozen false starts, Anderson, Kilmister, and Mattson got awav in the final of the Big Nine, in that order of placing. Mattson, determined to get the inside running, opened his throttlo wide in the first bend in a magnificent effort to ride round the field. As the riders came out of the bend Mattson was a length ahead, but he was travelling so fast that he got into a terrific slide, and could not "pick his machine up." He crashed and rolled along the track.

Kilmister, travelling almost as fast, had no time to throw his motor down, and appeared to ride over Mattson. Kilmister was thrown into the air, somersaulted, and fell near Mattson. White-coated officials and ambulance men raced to the aid of the fallen riders. Kilmister recovered quickly, but Mattson had an arm of his leathers hopelessly tangled up in Kilmister's machine, and his suit had to be cut before he could be released. After a time, ho got up and walked away, to the cheers of the crowd. It was an astonishing escape from serious injury. Mattson, suffering from concussion, wanted to ride again, but the doctor barred him. It was a very disappointed Mattson who watched the Australia-New Zealand match race from the pits. Yet another laurel has been added to the Mattson collection. Riding at the very top of bis form, he circled the track in a desperate round in his attempt on Sid Perkins' one-lap record of 19 2-ss. Mattson's time was 19s. All races during the evening were full of excitement. It was a great night at the Springs. Those Aucklanders who shortly leave for England, Mattson, Allen, Bray, and Garmson, were farewelled on behalf of the fans by Councillor J. B. Paterson. There was wild and excited cheering as each one said au revoir through the microphone.

Results:— CHALLENGE RACES. First Round.—-Alf. Mattson (Auckland), Rudge, 1; Wally Kilmister (Wellington), Rudge 2. With Mattson on the inside, the riders got away from nn even start. Kilmister made his big effort for the lead on the first bend and rode desperately round the outside, but he could not head Mattson. Round by round it -was thrilling racing on the bends, but Mattson always commanded the lead. In the third lap Kilinister's motor started missing, and, realising he had no chance, ho withdrew. Time, Ira 20 4-os. Second Round. — Alf. Mattson (Auckland), Rudge. 1; Wally Kilmister (Wellington), Rudge. 2. By magnificent riding, Mattson, who had drawn the outside position, rode round Kilmister on the first bend. He shot to the inside of the track, cut Kilmister out, and was "on the bos seat." For two laps Kilmister chased the New Zealand champion, but was never really in the hunt. After that he kept looking at his motor, and one concluded that something had gone wrong somewhere. Mattson was an easy winner. Time, lm 20 4-ss. BIG NINE. First heat: A Mattson (Rudge) 1: T. Butler (A..T.5.) 2. Time, lm 19 3-ss. Second heat: W. Kilmister (Rudge) 1, F. Day (Norton) 2. Time, lm 19s. Third heat: C. Anderson (Rudge) 1, A. Way (Norton) 2. Time, lm 21 4-ss. Final.—Kilmister 1, Anderson 2. The Wellington man got the break and shot to the lead on the first bend. That was apparently the end of Anderson. Kilmister increased his lead every lap until the third, when he developed further engine trouble. Anderson gradually reduced the lead, but Kilmister's machine lasted long enough for him to get first place. Time, lm 22 2-ss. BIG EIGHT HANDICAP. First heat: F. Day (Norton), Ss, 1; B. Allen (Rudge). 3s. 2. Time, lm 27 3-ss. Second heat: B. Herbert (Norton), 4s, 1; C. Goldberg (Rudge), 4s, 2. Time, lm 28 4-ss. Final.—Allen 1, Day 2. When leading in the third lap, Herbert hit the fence and stopped. Then it was a great fight between Allen and Dav, with the latter lighting hard for the lead. It was a good race. Time, lm 295. VAUXHALL CUP. First heat: B. McDonald (Douglas), 4s, 1; B. Smith (Norton), 3s, 2. Time, lm 34 2-ss. Second heat: M. Aicken (Douglas), ss, 1; D. Mattson (Norton), Is, 2. Time, lm 32 l-ss. Third heat: .T. Cormack (Norton), Is, 1; C. Sheppard (Rudge), 2s, 2. Time, lm 31s. Fourth heat: J. McDonald (Douglas), 4s, 1; S. Williamson (Norton), ss, 2. Time, lm 33 2-os. Final.—Aicken 1, Cormack 2. The two McDonalds, Jim and Bill, came to grief in spectacular crashes. Time, lm 33 l-ss.