Motor-Cycling R. BURNS’S PLANS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28435, 15 November 1957, Page 24

Motor-Cycling R. BURNS’S PLANS

Newspaper Report

Denied

“This statement absolutely rocks me. What this Auckland promoter hopes and what he is going to get will be very different.” said Bob Burns, of Christchurch, New) Zealand’s well-known motorcycling record-breaker, last even-I ing. Burns was commenting on I an article appearing in a Christchurch newspaper which said that a Western Springs Speedway promoter, Mr Jack Cormack, hoped to sign up Burns for. a series of appearances in Auckland during the 1957-58 season. “If Burns is contracted to the Western Springs track, he will be matched in feature races against the visiting Australians, Alby Graham and Ken Worth,” said the article.

It was ridiculous for an assumption to be made that he would be matched against these Australians who were many years his junior, said Burns. Apart from a little dabbling in speedway machines, he had retired from the speedway. “Last night I received a mysterious telephone call from a man who said he worked on the railway,” said Burns. “He said he was inquiring on behalf of a friend in Auckland if I was willing to ride at the speedway. For business reasons, I said I could not.”

“The article also says that I am planning a further attack on the world record,” said Burns. “This also is quite wrong. I have not the finance to make plans for another attempt, although I will admit that if this finance was available, I would perhaps give it further consideration. At the moment I have no plans at all for an attempt on the world record. although I may still try to raise the New Zealand speed records higher.”

Burns has just opened a small motor-cycle shop in a Christchurch suburb.