M otor-Cycling GRAND PRIX RACES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28783, 2 January 1959, Page 9

M otor-Cycling GRAND PRIX RACES

Hempleman Wins At Rotorua

(New Zealand Press Association) ROTORUA, January 1. John Hempieman, of Auckland, who had ridden consistently well overseas and in New Zealand, today won both the senior and junior New Zealand motor-cycling grand prix races at Rotorua. He rode Nortons in both events

Hempieman established lap and race records in both events eclipsing those of P. Murphy, made last year.

- Although the riders were slowed somewhat when the ambulance had to enter t>X 4.6 -mile circuit during the junior race, when R. McKay (Rotorua), crashed and broke a col-lar-bone Hempieman’s time of 37min 04sec for the 46 miles was Imin 42sec faster than last year's winning effort Hempieman was pushed throughout this race by D. D. Anderson (Wellington) with N. McCutcheon (Dunedin) in third place. In the senior race. Hempieman took the lead from the flag and by the eighth lap be had established a lead of a minute over P. Pawson (Hamilton). Although the leader slowed in the last laps to save his machine, his time was 36min .Olsec. He was reaching 128 miles an hour on the mile-long straight at the back of the circuit. His fastest lap was 10 seconds faster than the fastest recorded in last year’s race. Results:— Junior Grand Prix (10 laps, 46 miles): J. Hempleman (Norton). 1; J. D. Anderson (Norton), 2; N. McCutcheon (7R A.J.S.) 3. Time. 37min .04sec. Fastest lap, Hempleman, 3min 37sec (a record). Senior Grand Prix (10 laps, 46 miles): Hempieman (Norton), 1; P. Pawson (Norton). 2; McCutcheon (Norton), 3: B. Newbrook (Matchless G-45. Wellington) 4. Time, 36min .Olsec. Fastest lap. Hempleman. 3min 33sec (a record). BRIGGS TO RIDE AT AUCKLAND Big Fee Offered By Stadium (New Zeatana Press Association) AUCKLAND. January 1. The highest fee ever paid to a speedway rider in New Zealand has lured the world champion. Barry Briggs, to a special appearance at Western Sprngs Stadium on Saturday night. Mr G. Nicholls, publicity officer for the stadium, said today that Briggs would appear in a full series of races against a number of leading New Zealand riders.

Briggs has been world champion for the last two years. He is captain of Wimbledon, the leading club team in Brtain.

A Christchurch-born boy, Briggs went to England some years ago and has steadily improved in technique and performance. He is in New Zealand on holiday and had not Intended to compete.