MOTOR-CYCLING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22320, 7 February 1938, Page 4

MOTOR-CYCLING

BEACH CHAMPIONSHIP WON BY L. E. EVANS

EVENTS AT NEW BRIGHTON

Passing 'the winning post at about 80 miles an hour, just as the last man was turning to begin the last lap of. two miles, L. E. Evans won the 500 c.c. New Zealand Beach Championship over a course of 20 miles at New Brighton on Saturday. The time for the race this year —lßmin 43 4-ssec—was slow, the beach being very heavy after the morning's rain with the track covered in places by the rising tide. In spite of these handicaps the winner's average speed was 64.3 miles an hour. The race, which was watched by a large crowd from the beach and the surrounding sandhills, was run over a course which consisted of two one-mile straights, the riders turning a flag at each end. The 11 competitors in the championship were favoured with an almost perfect start, crossing the starting line fairly evenly. By the rules of this competition a rolling start is used, the starter accompanying the competitors in a pil6t car. He can start the race anywhere within a quarter of a mile of the starting post from which point the time is taken. At the end of the first lap, which was com§leted in lmin 36sec, G. W. Hockley (New righton) had a lead of about five yards from H. Matthews, the Auckland rider, with W. A. Alexander in third place. Hockley had increased this lead at the end of the second lap, but after six miles had been covered Matthews made a quicker turn at the starting post to go into the lead.

During the fourth lap the petrol tank on Hockley's machine split, leaving Matthews in front about 100 yards ahead of the winner, Evans, with half the distance covered. A burnt clutch caused Matthews to withdraw, Evans keeping in the load in the last few laps to win easily from N. B. Newton and R, Lovegrove. At the finish of the race the winner was presented with the championship sash by the Mayor of New Brighton, Mr E. L. Smith. Results:— New Zealand Beach Championship, 500 c.c—L. E. Evans l, N. B. Newton 2, R. Lovegrove 3, R. M. Alexander 4. Time 18min 43 4-ssec. Won easily „P pen Handicap, four miles—B. Wisely (lOsec) 1. R. Smith (lOsec) 2. R. Lovegrove (scr) 3. .Time, 3min 55sec. Won toy 150 yards, with 50 yards between second and third.

icS? H |. ndl f a P^ Bix miles-N. B. Newton (scr) 1, S. A. Crawshaw (30sec) 2 n Pope (30sec) 3. Time. Smin 45 2-Sse?: Won by a few yards in a close finish.