SPEEDWAY THRILLS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 28 February 1938, Page 4

SPEEDWAY THRILLS

MIDGET CAR RACING AT MONICA PARK

An evening of thrills, which reached its climax in the feature race. When seven midget oars raced round the quarter-mile track at speeds ranging up to 60 miles an hour, was enjoyed by a large crowd at the Monica Park sDeedway 'on Saturday This was the city's introduction . to midget car racing and, judging by the enthusiastic reception given to the competitors, the sport made a strong appeal. Judging their turns to within inches and their timing to within seconds, the drivers displayed remarkable skill in the handling of the highly-powered machines, and the accuracy of their driving was shown by the fact that there was not a single mishap throughout the evening. Five of the drivers were from the United States, two from Australia, and one was a New ZeaGeorge Beavis (Australia) had to withdraw because of mechanical trouble early in the evening, but the remaining seven cars were in action throughout the programme. ~ - , .. In the first event, the time trials, the following times were put up for a flying Jap:—Duane Carter (United States), fpux-

cylinder Star Continental special, 21 4-ssec; Paul Swederg (United States), 60 horse-power filto four-cylinder, 22 2-ssec; Vince Powdigiel (United States), 60 horsepower Ford V 8 special, 22 2-ssec; Beal gimmonds (United States), four-Cylinder Hercules special, 22 4-ssec; Swede Lindskog (United States), four-cylinder Cragar special, 23sec; Jerry Mathieson (Auckland), 60 horse-power four-cylinder 1000 c.c\ Elfo outboard, 23sec; Arch TUckett (Australia), twin-cylinder 1000 c.c. Brough superior, 23 3-ssec; George Beavis (Australia), 1000 c.c. Brough superior, 25sec. Results of the events were:— Trophy Dash, two laps, for two fastest cars in trials—Duane Carter 1, Paul Swederg 2. Time, 35 4-ssec<. Monica Park Handicap, four laps, for four fastest times in trials—First heat: Paul Swederg 1, Duane Carter 2. Time, lmin 32sec. Second heat: Arch Tuckett 1, Swede Lindskog 2, Jerry Mathieson 3, George Beavis 4. Time, lmin 34 2-ssec Final: Duane Carter (40yds bhd) 1, Paul Swederg (50yds bhd) 2, Swede Lindskog <loyds bhd) 3. Tuckett held the lead for the first lap, but Carter soon passed him and withstood a determined bid by Swederg in the final lap, to win the event. Consolation Race, for non-placed drivers in handicap—Jerry Mathieson (scr) 1. Vince Podwigiel (20yds bhd) 2. Time, lmin 30 2-ssec. Mathieson held his place at the head of the field throughout, and his win was a very popular one. International Triangle Race, three laps— Jerry Mathieson (New Zealand) 1, Paul Swederg (United States) 2. Time, lmin.

lOsec. Tuckett (Australia) lost the leading position early in the race 3gddH atß ' e " son took over to win by half a ie*ytoFeature Race, eight cars, 12 laps—DuaM Carter 1, Vince Podwigiel 2. Jerry Mathieson 3. Time, 4mtn 39 4-ssec. This event was notable for the wonderful manoeuvring of the drivers. Leading fromi the start, the New Zealander put about three lengths between himself and the secoon driver, Tuckett. in the third lap. . CaTOf came up in the fourth and held his >**»*, tion till the end of the race, Podwigiel made repeated but u nsu ,s?fSr ful efforts to head him off. Mathieson held to third place. . American novelty race, four laps—b»eoc Lindskog 1, George Beavis 2. . Australian Pursuit Race—Vince Podwigiel 1. Time, 3min 59sec. The cars started spaced evenly round the «***. and as each driver was overtaken, a* withdrew. Podwigiel and Carter were ie« in at the end, and Podwigiel won. iiavin* Overlapped most cars. Invitation Hero Race, four lapi—Vinoe Podwigiel 1, Duane Carter 2. Time, lmin 30 4-ssec. Won by a length. , Villains' Race—Swede Lindskog 1. ranSwederg 2, Beal Simmons 3. Time. lm» 35sec. Won by half a length.