ANOTHER RECORD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 306, 28 December 1931, Page 10

ANOTHER RECORD.

FARNDON'S BRILLiANCE.

SPLENDID SPEEDWAY RIDING,

RESULTS FROM WESTERN SPRINGS.

Again Tom Farndon, the brilliant English Test broadsider, thrilled a crowd at Western Springs Speedway on Saturday night- He rode dazzling races, and impressed even more than he did on nis first appearance in Auckland. His greatest ride of the night, was his attempt on Frank Pearce's New Zealand record of 1.10. He failed by onb" Is, but succeeded in breaking the Auckland mile record of 1.18 1-5, held by '"Squib"' Burton. Special preparations had been made for the record attempt. The track was fairly bare, especially on the inside. The bis crow d cheered wildly as Farndon set out on hits whirlwind excursion of four laps. Into the first bend he roared, | wobbled slightly, and raced down the back straight. On the next bend he held | the white line beautifully, never sliding l for more than one foot. When he reached the next corner, the brilliant Englishman got into a slight slide, but with astonishing control o fa machine that was travelling at tremendous pace, he corrected it, and came out of the bend in the middle of the track. Two more sensational rounds followed, and when he flashed across the line at the finish there was long and continuous cheering. It was a brilliant ride by one of the most skilful riders yet seen at Western Springs. Although the meeting, taken all round, was not as good as the previous week's, the difference was merely the difference between the excellent and the good. Every race was a struggle for the lead by a quartet of fearless riders. Again there was a general all i-ound improvement in the standard of riding displayed by the local men, and there was a strong feelins: that at will not be long before some of them will have reached the same standard of efficiency as Air' Mattson, the Auckland and New Zealand champion. Mattson's machine was going even better than last week. The best race of the night was the first heat of the England v. Auckland match contests. The race resolved itself into a thrilling duel between Mattson and Farndon. The Auckland man drew the iiieide position, with Farndon next to him. After several attempts the four men (Jackson and Perkins were the other starters) got away from a fairly even start. It was a thrilling spectacle as the two cracks, Mattson and Farndon, laid their machines over to take the first, bend. Mattson was riding beautifully, and came out of the corner ahead of the Englishman. Three rounds of dazzling riding followed, with Farndon chasing Mattson hard. The climax came in the third lap. Mattson was still ahead, riding all he knew. With a brilliant burst Farndon, with super-judgment, slipped inside Mattson, who had gone into a elide, and took the lead. Into the last bend they raced, only a slender margin i separating the two machines. It was touch and go on the last bend, ! but Farndon never gave Mattson the j chance to whip past him on the inside, and the Aucklander had no opportunity aa riding round his rival. So they racedj with only a few yards between them up to the finishing post, with Farndon the victor after a brilliant contest. Farndon'e burst, when he took the lead, was one of the prettiest pieces of work yet seen at the speedway. Lost Him the Race. Twice during the evening bad luck came Farndon's way. In the second heat of the special match races, Farndon soon had the lead with Mattson chasing him with an open throttle. Two rounds had gone by when the exhaust on Farndon's bike worked loose and dug into the cinders. The machine wobbled badly, but with remarkable skill Farndon controlled it, slowed down, kicked the dragging pipe back into position, and rode on. He was cheered for his sportsmanship. That was Mattson's race. The final of the Christmas Handicap looked to be Farndon's when the riders set out. He caught the field before one lap had been covered, and on the second bend was riding hard on the tail of Doug. Mattson. But Mattson crashed, and,' realising that he could not swerve outside him, Farndon was forced to throw his machine into a slide to save a collision. It was neatly done, but it cost Farndon the race. He started again, but had no chance. Frank Day produced the most spectacular piece of work of the local men. He rode well all the evening, but was inclined to slide wide on the bends. In one of his starts he went into a terrific broadside and came down. He remounted and started out after the field. He caught Bray, travelling fast on a new machine, on the town bend, and, with a fearless burst, Day raced round Brav on the outside —a splendid piece of work. Results were:— ENGLAND V. AUCKLAND. First Heat.—Tom Farndon (J.A.P.) 1, Al£. Mattson (Rudge) 2. This was a thrilling race between Farndon and Mattson. The New Zealand champion had the inside, and, after several starts, he shot to the front. Three rounds of sensational racing followed, with the Englishman chasing Mattson hard. In the third lap. Farndon. with a brilliant burst, slipned inside the New Zealand champion, and, after a thrilling race. Farndon got home by only a few yards. Time, 1.21 4-5. Second Heat.—Alf. Mattson (Rudge) 1, Jack Jackson (Budge) 2, Tom Farndon (,T.A.P.) 3. Again it was a great go. Farndon soon had the lead, with Mattson hot on his tail. But again Farndon's luck was against him. On one of the bends he dug his exhaust pipe into the cinders, and was forced to shut off. After that it was an easy win for Mattson. Perkins' machine filled up with cinders, and had only toured. Time, 1.20 3-5. Final. —Tom Farndon (J.A.P.) 1, Alf. Mattson (Budge) 2. The starter let the field away before Mattson was up in line with Farndon. and the Englishman got an easy lead. He never looked like being beaten, and Mattson, realising: that he could not catch his rival, contented himself with keeping in front of Jackson to take second place. Time, 1.21. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP. First Heat. —Syd. Shepperd (Rudge), limit, 1; Tom Butler (A.J.S.), 255, 2. Time, 1.25 4-5. Second Heat. —Tom Farndon (J.A.P.), GOyds behind, 1; Charlie Goldberg (J.A.P.), 25yds behind, 2. Time, 1.23 1-5. Third Heat. —Brian Smith (Rudge), 15yds behind. 1; Bill Allen (Rudge), 25yds, 2. Time, 1.26 3-5. Fourth Heat.—Bill Herbert (Rudge), 30yds, 1: D. Mattson (Norton), 15yds, 2. Time, 1.25 1-5. Fivst Semi-final.—Tom Farndon 1, Syd. Shepperd 2. It was a great go. Goldberg's motor l'ailed him at tne start, and Farndon passed him in a flash. Shepperd was leading the field, but with beautiful judgment Farndon slipped inside Shepperd. In a great finish, Farndon beat Shepperd by a length. Time, 1.23 3-5. ■ Second Semi-final. —D. Mattson (Norton), 15yds behind, 1 ; Bill Herbert (Rudge), 30yds behind 2. Time, 1.31 2-5. Final. —Shepperd 1, D. Alattson 2. The winner had the lead and kept Ihere from the word go. Herbert's bike did not get off the mark, and Farndon flashed past him before he reached the first bend. The Englishman set out after the field, but on the second bend, Doug. Mattson, who was in front of him, got into a slide and Farndon was forced to throw his maehine. Time, 1.26. BIG TWELVE. First Heat. —Alf. Mattson (Rudge), GOyds behind. 1; Bill Allen (Rudge), 25yds, 2. Farndon's machine failed to Start. Time 1.28 1-5.

Second Heat. —Ben Bray (Norton), 30yds behind, 1; Tom Butler (A.J.S.), SOyds behind. 2. Cairns slid down in front of Jackson, causing the Englishman to come down. Time, I.SI 2-5.

Third Heat.—Frank Day (Norton), SOyds behind 1, Charlie Goldberg (J.A.P.), SOyds behind 2. Time, 1.31.

Final. —Mattson 1, Bray 2. Mattson went hard after the race and won comparatively easily, hut the bright particular star of the contest was Day. After sliding down once. Day remounted and in brilliant style he flashed past a rival. It was a thrilling race. Time, 1.26 2-5.

B GRADE HANDICAP. First Heat. —J. Cormack (Norton), 30yds behind, 3 ; Harold Tetley (Rudge), 60yds behind, 2. Time, 1.29 4-5. Second Heat.—Charlie Morgan (Norton), 30yds behind. 1 ; Alf. Way (Ariel), 15vds behind 2. Time, 1.27 2-5. Final.—Morgan 1, Cormack 2. The backmarker. Tetley, slid down in the second lap. Time 1.29 2-5.

KELMISTER'S NEW RECORD.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Results of broadsiding events at the Kilbirnie Stadium last night were:— Grand Christmas Handicap.—Final: J. Lawton 1, Hooper 2. Time, 91s. Kilmister broke the track record of S3s from a standing start, doing the distance in 82 3-ss. which is l-5s slower than the New Zealand record. Little Nine Scratch Race.—Final: A. Rait 1, G. Lowndes 2, J. Lawton 3. Time, 90 3-ss. Bipr Nine Scratch Race.—Final : \V. Kilmister 1, R. Frogley 2, C. Tonks 3. Time, 76 a-Cib.

BETTER. FORM AT MONICA PARK.

(By Telegraph.— Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. 1 here was again a general improvement in the times at Monica Park Speedway last evening. In the first heat of the contest lor the Gold Helmet trophy for the champion local rider Percy Luun established a record for local riders by doing four laps in 3.23. He won the first two heats and so retains the trophy. The two English riders, S. Jackson and W. Hull, struck better form. Results were:— First Division Handicap.—J. Oakley (ss) 1, S. Wicks (2s) 2, S. Jackson (scr) 3. Christmas Scratch Race.—S. Jackson 1, W. Hull 2, C. Blacklock 3. Time, 1.21.

EVENTS AT DUNEDIN.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Sunday. Broadsiding events at the Speedway Royle last evening attracted a good attendance. The heavy track, as a result of recent rains, prevented fast times. A local rider, A. Crighton. rode particularly well, winning three handicaps in good ' style. Results of finals were :— Otago Handicap. One Mile.—A. Crighton 19s) 1. P. Lyders (6s) 2, L. Packer (scr) 3. Time, 96 2-ss. Tahuna Handicap.—Crighton (9s) 1, Lyders (4s) 2, A. L>. Inglis (8s) 3. Time, 97 4-ss. Forbury Handicap.—Crighton (8s) 1, C. By south iscr) 1- Packer (scr) 3. 'lime, 995.

Flying Four Points Race.—First: C. Bysouth 3. L. Packer 2, T. Tompkins 3. Time, 90 4-ss. Second: Elms 3. Tompkins 2. Bysouth 3. Time, 88 3-ss. Third: Elms 1, Bysouth 2. Time, 89 l-ss.