N.Z. AUTO-CYCLE UNION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27387, 28 June 1954, Page 10

N.Z. AUTO-CYCLE UNION

TWO-DAY RELIABILITY TRIAL V. Rush, of Christchurch, has, on provisional results, won the New Zealand Union’s championship reliability trial held around Christchurch yesterday and on Saturday. Over the testing two-day, 125-mile course, he lost only 61 points. All the major places were filled by Christchurch riders with D. Collison (Palmerston North), who was fourth, the best of the outside competitors.

On Saturday 18 riders., from as far away as Dunedin and Palmerston North, started on the first section of the trial—from Christchurch city to the Sign of the Bellbird, oyer Gebbies Pass to Coe’s Ford, and back to the city: a distance of 50 roues. Tests and observed sections (through which competitors had to maintain set average speeds) covered all types of terrain; shingle, grass, mud, water as well as first-grade sealed highway. Sunday’s section was of 75 miles taking in the Summit road. Governor’s Bay. ? ort Lev?. Western Valley, and Little River. Again secret checks, teste, and observed sections added penalty points to each rider’s total. Some riders yesterday made the mistake of riding too fast. On the section up to Western valley the specified time was 23 minutes. One competitor arrived inside 18 minutes and met a penalty of 10 points (one point for each half minute too early). Secret checks were set up in two places along the homeward journey from Motukarara to Christchurch. Riders, to avoid penalty, had to average 40 miles an hour for the first five miles, 35 for the next five miles, and 30 for the third part of the journey. Only three men retired—two with motor trouble.

Provisional results are:—V. Rush (Christchurch), Ariel, 61 points lost, 1; S. Harrison (Christchurch), Velocette, 87, 2; ?. ush (Christchurch), James. 117, 3; D. Collison (Palmerston North), 8.5. A., A y ers (Christchurch), Triumph, 159, 5; P. Lockett (Palmerston North), Francis Barnett, 166, 6; D. Knauf (Timaru), James. 190, 7; A. Ferguson (Palmerston North), Matchless, 216, 8: R. Smith (Christchurch), 8.5. A.. 218, 9; J. Gibson (Christchurch), James, 221, 10; J. Banks (Christchurch), 8.5. A., 293, 11; R. Pink (Palmerston North), 8.5. A., 298, 12; W. Herdman (Marton), 8.5. A., 316, 13; P. Johnston (Christchurch), 8.5. A., 519. 14; K. Smith (Wellington), 8.5. A., 577, 15.

Christchurch Wins Teams’ Prize Christchurch also won the teams’ section of the trial. Three members of the Corsair Club (S. Harrison, R. Ayers, and R. Smith) were most proficient, losing a total of 464 points. Manawatu-Orion II (D. Collison, P. Lockett, K. Smith) was second, losing 883 points, and Christchurch Pioneer II (J. Gibson, J. Banks, and P. Johnston) was third, with 1033 pointe lost.