CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 15, 19 January 1933, Page 18

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS.

rORU ON THE TRACK,

CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATIONS. FIXTURES. Saturday, January 21.—Open Handicaps, Papatoetoe, 3 p.m. „ , Monday, January 30. —Te Awamutu Spores. February 18. — Grass Championships, Domain. . February 23.—Championship Meeting, western Springs, 8 p.m. March 3 and 4.—Dominion Championship Meeting, Christchurch. Small tracks and long races do not go hand in hand for the production ot g°°d racing. This the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club proved last Saturday when it ran off two five-milers at the Papatoetoe track of six laps to the mile. •Both A and B grade races were spoilt by the simple fact that the scratch men were actually overhauled by the longmarkers. This may sound a bit disgraceful. but it must be remembered that in distance events the scratch men rely oil their better stamina to reduce the handicaps toward the close .of sucli lengthy races. ' In each event the scratch riders were caught and left the track. A. J. Dickey (220 yds) put in a snappy finish to snatch victory from Scl. G. Webster (125 yds) right on the line. Dickey shapes well on the banking, but on the grass he seems unable to ride as steady. He appears to sit too far back on the cycle, which may account for his lack of sufficient control when on the grass. A position which may suit one type of track does not necessarily suit both. The tanned cyclist from Beach ITave.i, W. J. Sharp (230 yds). won the B grade in 12.30 2-5. His riding was sensational for a first season er. In six la lie he had caught scratch riders R. L. Francis and E. D. Morris, both of the Papatoetoe Club. He was too shrewd to pass them, for this simple process would have eliminated them from the race and lost for liii-i two fine pacers. But near the close he did move past, and at the bell he set oil' at a great bat to win by ten yards. For a solo effort nothing better has been witnessed this season. It was his first win.

Hen. R. Dwight and Ron. G. Foubister (scr) lent excitement to the two-mile A grade at the Domain. With the assistance of M. P. Byrnes, who was unfortunately eliminated when Aub. ,T. Dickey fouled a post and collided with Byrnes, they caught the leaders early. Down the back straight against a strong wind Foubister made to go past Dwight on the inside. This optimistic move was not successful. With the lead into the straight none questioned th 6 result. Dwight s confident glance under his bars was sufficient proof that he was not exerting himself. He won by two clear lengths in 5.7 3-5.

The Papatoetoe Club's mid-week meets attract considerable interest and quite a miniature crowd gathers to see the racing which was primarily conducted'merely to keep the athletes in training. .Fourteen started in the half-mile last week and IG in the mile. C.' Civil, with 85ydfi; never looked like a loser in the half-mile, which he won with ease. Geo. Jones (00yds) won the mile in 2.14 2-5, without 'resorting to his usual tactics of going to the top of the steep banking and then shooting down~and past the field. This time he employed sheer speed on the pole line with success. It is proposed to cut out the grade events for the Domain races after thu week. The grades were really introduced because it was difficult to handicap long races on the 293 2-3 yds track at Papatoetoe. Over a lap start is not allowed by the Auckland Cycling Centre. Itf is not so far now to the championship meetings. Western Springs Stadium has been booked for the banked trark "champs." Riders, however, will be aole to accustom themselves to the track, for on February 9 the Auckland Club will conduct a big meet there. 11. -Q. Browne, late scratch rider of tuo Auckland Club, lias now transferred his interests to the Manukati Club. Browre has proven himself both on track and road, and apart from competition work is a fine club toiler. Norb. B. Casey, who crashed off iiir> cycle, on a down, grade near Atiamuri while touring recently, is now on the load to complete recovery. He is a brother of Frank .1. Casey, who has just completed a 850-mile tour on his .cycle.. For Anniversary Day week-end .a toil'' of over 200 miles is proposed. Saturday, leaving Newmarket at I p.m., to Thames, then through Te Arolia and Opal Springs (Mataniata), to Cambridge, via Arapuni, on Sunday, with the return to the city on Monday. Tamaki Club conducted ' two events, a half-mil 6 and one and a quarter miles, over a road course. Although the entries were not numerous, there was plenty of enthusiasm. The first past the post was Geo. Walters (syds). He rode a good race, .the time being 1.15. McTnnarney (35yds) was second, only a length or so behiu! Walters, and Holland (50yds) rode m third, half a length away. The two latter riders are new member.'? and show great promise. In the one and a quarter mile race the issue was really between Walters and Harrison, both on scratch, but evidently Walters was feeling fit and shot past the post about two lengths ahead of Harrison. Time, 2.25.

AUCKLAND CENTRE.

FAST RACING AT DOMAIN. At tlie Domain grass track last evening the Auckland Amateur Cycle Centre conducted a one mile handicap. Twenty-three riders started, necessitating three heats. The times were all fast, in spite of tlie wind. Results :— First Heat.—S. J.' Balrd. 45yds, 1 : C. Johnson, 50yds, 2 ; L. M. Xicholson. 75yds, 3; E. L. G. Hughes, '70yds, 4. Time. 2.25 1-5.

Second Heat.—R. Craig. 75yds, 1 ; 11. W. Smith, 120 yds, 2; J. 11. McLaelilan. 35yds, 3 ; R. C. Cliappell, 120 yds. 4. Time,2.23 4-5,

Third Heat.—G. 11. Wheelhouse, 75yds, 1 ; C. Hansen, 85yds, 2; Iv. N. Clark, 83yds. 3; G. A. Jeeves, 100 yds, 4. Time,

Final.—L. M. Nicholson (Manukau Club) I, G. 11. Wheelhouse (Manukau Club) 2. ,T. H. McLnelilnn (Manukau Club) 3, S. J. Baird (Manukau Club) 4. This was a great race between the 12 finalists, with all bunched with two laps and a half to go. McLaelilan led out at the bell, but was passed by Wheelhouse and Nicholson on the back straight. Nicholson sprinted strongly to pass Wheelhouse and win by two clear lengths, with inches between the next two finishers. Time, 2.215 2-5. Handicaps declared by Mr. B. Mudford for the Auckland Amateur Cycle Club's events, to be held at Lynndale on Saturday afternoon :— One Mile and a Half. —Firs.t heat: G Patrick, scr; C. Gooder, 65yds; L. Oxten, 120 yds; W. Barry, K. Hankins, 140 yds ; W. Crocker, 100 yds; A. 11. Jeeves. G. A. Jeeves, 180 yds; L. Coombes, 200 yds; R. Harris, Phillips, 220 yds. Second lieat: G. Johnson, 30yds: Iv. Banks, llogan, 65yds: K. Mosliiem, 120 yds; C. Carr, 140 yds; C. Melville, Kent, 160 yds; K. Yates, 180 yds; C. Porter. R. Arvidson, 200 yds: L. Morrison, 220 yds. Third heat: H. O. Brown, scr; 11. Webb, A. F. Johnson, B. Craig, 65yds; R. Taylor, 120 yds; It. Bartrum, 140 yds; G. Jeeves, 160 yds; R. Linn, C. "Ilassett, ISO yds; P. Gregory, 200 yds; A. Green, N. Brier, 220 yds. / Two Miles and a Ilaif. —First lieat: G. Patrick,' scr ; 11. Webb, 70yds ; C.'Gooder, SOyfls; K. Mosliiem, 140 yds; K. Hankins, 160 yds; W. Crocker, 180 yds; A. 11. Jeeves, G. A. Jeeves, 20(>yds; L. Coombs, 220 yds, R. Harris, 240 yds; Phillips, 2GO.vds. Second heat: C. .lolinson, 40yds ; llogan, 75yds; R. Taylor, 140 yds ; C. Carr, 160 yds ; C. Melville, 180 yds; Kent, K. Yates, 200 yds; C. Porter, R. Arvidson, 220 yds; L. Morrison, 200 yds. Third lieat : 11. O. Brown, scr ; A. F. Johnson, B. Craig. 75yds; L. Oxten. 140 yds; W,- Barry,, I{. Bartrum, 100 yds; G. Jeeves, 180 yds; R. Linn, C. Ilassett, 200 yds; P. Gregory, 220 yds; A. Green, N. Brier, 260 yds. -

AUCKLAND CASH CLUB,

Splendid fields competed in the Auckland Cycle Club's races last evening at the Kliyber Pass Track, which was in fast condition. Itesults Half-mile Junior (8 starters). —G. Sai Louie, 140 yds, 1; L. Redfern, 80yds, 2; W. Sneller. 100 yds, 3 : W. Bicknell, 140 yds, 4. Time, 1.0. Won by four lengths. ,

One Mile Senior (23 starters). —I'irst heat : S. Ward. s.lyds, 1'; W. Tinker, Suyda, ■2 ; k. 11 nil. 150 yds, 3; \\\ Bowers, 190 yds, -1 Time, 2.23 1-5. Second heat :C. Rae, KiOvds, 1; G. Hull, 00yds. 2; B. Stratlidee, 100 yds. 3; K. Ilalllda.v, 110 yds, 4. Time, "21 2-5. Final : C. Kae 1, E. Ilall 2. S. Ward 3, W. Pinker 4. Time, 2.21 4-5. Won by half a length, third man two lengths back. Bowers mistook the bell lap, otherwise he would have been placed.