Cash Cycling.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 2 (Supplement)

Cash Cycling.

Auckland Club Events—Johnson and Cunningham Ride Well.

Last week-end saw the Auckland Cycle Club's final meeting for this year, which was held at the Papatoetoe Stadium banked track. Conditions were ideal for racing, except for a strong wind in the finishing straight. • The fields were only fair, this being due noi doubt to the approach of the holidays. Four events were decided, two each for juniors and seniors, the distances being half and one mile. Both the junior races were won by Les Cunningham, who by the way, recently rejoined the club, and these were his first rides. Incidentally they were also his first successes. In the half-mile, off s.">yds, he just held on long enough to stall off the scratch men by half a length, but in the' mile, 08 115 yds, he won comfortably. The other positions in both events" were filled by the scratch pair, Frank Pearce and Dm Banks, after good duels. The former headed his rival over the line by half a length in the half-mile, but Banks turned the tables in the other event, gaining an inches decision. Both are racing well at present, Pearce being in the lead for the points cup.

The senior lmlf-mile was productive of a good finish,. C'es Johnson (30yds). coming with a rattle from the head of the straight to snatch victory from Wally Archer (iiSyds), right on the line by half a wheel. * He was also runnerup in the mile event, off GOyds. This rider is showing his best form now and • should take some beating off his present good marks in the open events during the holidays. Archer rode; a splendid race and looked all over a winner until Johnson flashed up. He was taken quite by surprise. Ken. Banks (GOvds). third," also finished well from the" home banking, being only another half a length awav. The one mile was annexed by Steve Ward, off the scratch mark, who finished at a great bat from the back straight to eventually be a length to the good. This rider has now won three events to date and in all he has been responsible for fine finslung efforts. It will be surprising if he docs not get in the money over the holidays for he has never been in such excellent form as at present. Jim Sampson (140vds). third, made a great effort from the bell to- win. leading out in a fast sprint, but was just quite unable to see it out. His turn should soon coihc. Members will be sorry to hear of the accident to their popular cluhmate, Slater Hayes, who whilst out on a training ride came in contact with a_ motor car and received injuries. He is confined to'his bed at present, but at latest is doing well. All will wish him ft speedy recovery.