Notable Racing Successes

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28801, 23 January 1959, Page 12

Notable Racing Successes

gELWYN Burt, one of the leading three-quarter midget drivers at the Aranui Speedway, does not confine his competitive racing to these speedy little cars. Since 1949, he has ridden motorcycles with success on grass, cinder, and clay tracks and has taken part in many road races including the Grand Prix at Cust. Burt first began his career in motor-racing in 1945, when he won several grass track races. Four years later he was third in the Grand Prix. He has competed every year since, winning the handicap section in 1957 and filling second place last year to A. G. Holland. Burt does a tour of the major road 1 races in the South Island every year. Speedway Hiding In 1950 Burt tried speedway racing and was so successful that he was chosen as a member of the Canterbury team that year. Burt has not ridden a motor-cycle at Aranui for two years, but he has competed as a racing car driver and holds the eight lap record of 2mh> I.4sec and the lap record of 18.2 sec in a threequarter midget. Burt is an enthusiast. and has organised racing in his own district. Regular meetings are held at Doyleston on the clay track there. Burt has not yet seriously considered retiring, but when he does, he has a younger brother, Rex, who intends to keep the name of Burt in prominence for some time. Rex, who drives a three-quarter midget, made by Selwyn, has made many appearances at Aranui and has impressed favourably.