ROAD RACING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 204, 30 August 1933, Page 3

ROAD RACING.

TROPHY FOR N.Z. ISLE OF MAN CONTESTS. RETURN OF S. MOSES. New Zealand's representative at the most famous motor cycle event in the world, the Tourist Trophy races in the Isle of Man, Mr. S. Moses, returned to Auckland this morning by the Rangitata. He is the only New Zealand rider who has over brought back a trophy from these races. This was for finishing in thirteenth place in the junior event. In the senior contest he had mechanical trouble, and retired after the first lap. "The world's best and fastest riders compete in these races," he said this morning. "One gains much knowledge and experience by taking part. For instance, I found that the men getting places are, generally speaking, all riders under contract to motor cycle factories, and special experimental machines are built for them. These are constructed with only one aim in view—speed. The ordinary rider like myself can only purchase a standard machine, and of course this is a big handicap." Speed of 115 Miles an Hour. Mr. Moses said tliere were 31 startere in the junior competition and 35 in the senior. The course was 264 miles, and tliere was a stiff climb from sea level to a height of 1500 ft. There wae not more than half a mile of a straight run on any part of the course. Bad accidents were rare, despite the speed attained, but there had been one fatality this year. Riding downhill on the best part of the course, a speed of 115 miles an hour was recorded, and on the flat 106 to 107 miles had been made. Ridere were not permitted to use special fuel, such as "dope" employed on cinder tracks, commercial fuel only being per- , mitted. For his place in the junior event Mr. , Moses' trophy was a replica of the statue of Mercury, the swift messenger. 1 To win a replica a rider had to finish ' the course in time not exceeding the ( winner's by more than one-eighth. Mr. Moses also won the Nisbet award for outstanding courage and endurance, having ridden in the junior race after receiving painful injuries while training. Such an award had not been made for several years. Referring to broadsiding, Mr. Moeee said the sport appeared to retain its popularity in England. W. Kilmister, of Wellington, was riding wonderfully well and had gained the highest pointe in ; the Wembley team —one of the best , teams in England and last year'e chamI pions—when he (Mr. Moses) left London. Kilmister was thinking of returning to New Zealand this year. A. Mattson, of Auckland, was not having euch a good run, but C. Blacklock, of Christchurch, was riding well for Nottingham.