CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1932, Page 16

CYCLING.

•V WITH THE AMATEURS. MANUKAU CLUB. FIXTURES. Saturday, November s.—Lynndale Club's Points Meeting, 2 jj.to. Sunday. November 6.—Meeting. Domain, 10.30 a.m. Saturday, November 12.—Lynndale Sports. Despite the unpleasant weather last Saturday only two of the 23 Manukau Amateur Cycling Club's members who had entered for the Papatoetoe meeting failed to put in an appearance. The meeting marked the official opening of the new banked cycle track designed by Mr. J. C. Stewart, who was a prominent raping member of the Manukau Club during the 1927-8 road seasons.

Les. H. Dwight, in the flying start lap record, gave some idea of the speed qualities of the track when he swooped over one lap, l-6th of a mile, in 19 l-ss, a speed of over 30 m.p.h. The protecting coat of light material and the gusty wind did not help towards fast work. Junior D. N. Pinfold created a junior record in 19 3-ss.

The only spill of the afternoon was, peculiar to relate, in the event in which the smallest field competed—in the two miles scratch event—when Les. Dwight clearly demonstrated the folly of trying to get the inside running on a banked track, and ran his front wheel against Ron. Foubister's back wheel.

Norb. B. Casey collected in both the half and mile handicaps, off 50yds and 110 yds respectively. His wins were not -exactly decisive, for he had fighting finishes to gain his successes. However, practically everyone had a good idea he would do the trick, for .last April, at Papatoetoe.. but on a grass track, he won the mile off 65yds.

Big Les..H. Dwight was unlucky not to catch the judge's eye in the half-mile heat in which he was third, but well up the banking. He won liis mile heat in 2.16 1-5, but Casey clocked the final in 2.11 4-5, which was just too fast for Dwight. J.I Castell, 30yds, second in the halfmile junior, showed unusual dash for a lad sampling track racing for the first time. . The next meeting on the track is sure to attract double the entries, for many riders were a bit wary of the formidable looking hanking, .so took the role of spectators on Saturday last. 'Next Saturday the Lynndale Club opens its season with a points meeting at New Lynn. If the cycle track is at all dry enough for racing, officials would welcome a visit from the cyclists. Handicaps will appear later should races be decided upon.

AUCKLAND CLUB,

:., FIXTURES. Saturday, November s—Lynndale Track, one i and three miles. Sunday, November 6—Busy Bee. . Saturday, November 12—Lynndalc Track Olub Dance.

A short.spell after a strenuous road racing season saw iEV official opening ot the track, racing season commence with the annual Labour Day Sports held at the Auckland Domain,- controlled by the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycling ciub. ,'•:•: .;•'■.«. The track was very heavy, owing to the pouring rain in the morning, but this did not deter an enthusiastic muster of cyclists from carrying out the programme. Several riders were trying out new machines, while several were sampling track work.for the first time. The good fields for each race, for so early in the season were an indication of a promising season. Although many of the old riders were not exerting themselves, this did not prevent good times and several exciting finishes. The one jarring "feature of the day was caused by a disagreement concerning the placing of the first two men I; C. Laloh and J. H. McLaughlin, in the two-mile event. With two laps to go, Ivan took the lead, which he held by a comfortable margin to the finish. " Mac" made a spirited sprint and a close finish of it. He was given the decision, and when, the .disagreement arose was sporting, enough to offer his trophy back, but,Tyan declined, saying he was satisfied with-second.

One of the outstanding performances was that of N. Craig, who raced for the first time on the track. This young rider, on a liberal handicap'; was placed in each of his heats and finals, winning the halfmile by a comfortable margin, and being third both in the one mile and two miles handicap races. This, for- a novice, is a most creditable performance. With careful training he should become a rider of distinction.' ' •

C; .Johnson continued his usual consistency by being second in his heat and final of the half-mile, andjheuig second; in his v heat of. the one Jsoile. His young brother, Freddie, rode- 'right from the gun, to win both hissheat.ana" final- of the mile, with K. J. Banks filling third place, both in his heat and final of the same race. v

Gr. Patrick rode determinedly to easily i win the De'il tak' the hin'maist' race, with H. O. Browne second. Lynn showed promise when he rode into first place of his heat of the half-mile event, while C. Melville collected third place in this_ same heat, but was 'unfortunate to crash in the final, H. Webb has not started serious training yet, but, if his third in the mile heat is' anything to go on, it will not be long before he is amongst the "placed men. K. Mosheim tried out a new machine without initial success, although ■he rode steadily in the two-mile event, only being passed in the last stages of the race. His fourth should encourage him to further success. Bill Crocker also was breaking in a new " bronco," so we may expect surprises from these two. On Sunday, October 30, the club held its monthly meeting at the Domain, when the election of officers for the forthcoming season took place. It was decided, after receiving the Lyhndale Club's -consent to pu on a one mile and three miles handicap race on Saturday, November 5.. These will I be. run between the :• points events, providing they are smartly • run . through. The competitors are asked to assist by being punctual on the mark. ■

The club's haridkapper, Mr. B. Mudford, and a number of riders, formed a " busy, bee " in the afternoon at the track, which they commenced clearing in-readi-ness, for Saturday's races. •