CAR AND MOTORCYCLE RACING

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26362, 5 March 1951, Page 8

CAR AND MOTORCYCLE RACING

CROWD OF 20,000 AT OHAKEA (New Zealand Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, March 4. A crowd of 20,000 at the R.NZ.A.F. Station, Ohakea, saw what was probably the first programme of combined car and motor-cycle racing ever held in New Zealand when the Manawatu Car Club staged the second of its annual trophy race meetings on Saturday. Widened to embrace three motor-cycle events, this year the programme provided a thrilling entertainment for the large crowd who saw some of the finest drivers and riders in the Dominion, and some examples of the engineering skill of world-famous motor firms. Speeds were sometimes well in excess of 100 miles an hour. A rain shower soaked the tarmac sufficiently to increase considerably the hazard of taking the flat corners at high speed.’ Results st-Motor-cycle handicap (open, 12 miles): P. Lockett (Rongotea). Time, 22min 12sec. Sports car handicap (16 miles): R. A. Gibbons (Wellington) and J. Tutton (Christchurch), equal 1, after a protest and counter-protest. Time, 14min 48sec. Motor-cycle junior scratch race, 350 c.c. machines (30 miles): R. Coleman (Wanganui). Time, 25min 24sec. Saloon car handicap (14 miles): P. Andrews (Palmerston North) 1. Time, 16min 47sec. Motor-cycle senior scratch race 500 c.c. machines (30 miles): S. Jensen (Feilding) 1, R. Coleman 2, G. Hitchman (Feilding) 3. Time, 24min 57sec.

Ohakea trophy race, 70 miles, handicap division: G. G. Smith (Auckland) 1, R. J. Roycroft (Auckland) 2, F. and M. Procter (Wellington) 3. Time, 76min 15sec. Fastest time: Smith 1, T. Sulman (Australia) 2, E. M. Faulkner (Palmerston North) 3. Time, 63min 15sec.