Motor Cycling T. McCleary Wins N.Z. Grand Prix In Wet Ride

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30107, 16 April 1963, Page 16

Motor Cycling T. McCleary Wins N.Z. Grand Prix In Wet Ride

A brilliant wet-weather ride on a slippery and dangerous circuit gave the well-known Christchurch motor-cycling enthusiast, T. McCleary, a popular win in the New Zealand Senior Grand Prix, held over a shortened course of 45 miles at Cust yesterday. McCleary led from start to finish, returning very fast lap times in spite of the appalling conditions, and his machine, a 499 c.c. Norton, ran faultlessly. He won practically as he liked, receiving the chequered flag 2min 25sec ahead of the second man home, B. Scobie (Te Awamutu), riding a smaller 348 c.c. AJ.S.

The New Zealand Junior Grand Prix, shortened from 45 miles to 27, was won by Scobie, riding the same mAchine which he used later in the senior event. In this event, before the track had deteriorated, he set the fastest lap time of the day -at 4min 9sec. R. McKay (Timaru), riding a 348 c.c. AJ.S., was second and T. McCleary, also on an A.J.S., was third.

Riding a 249 c.c. Triumph, the Christchurch .veteran, V. Rush, came home a very narrow winner in the New Zealand Lightweight Grand Prix, heading the second man, D. Lowe (Feilding) by only 4sec. The New Zealand Ultra Light-weight . Grand Prix was won by W. Adams (Nelson) on a 200 c.c. Triumph. Before racing began, the Canterbury Auto Cycle Club, the organising body, attempted to get the meeting postponed until next Saturday. The riders agreed and approval was given by the Rangiora County Council, but the Commissioner of Transport, whose permission was also necessary, would not give a decision, stating that he had no authority to give approval without the normal road-closing procedures being completed. The majority of riders were fairly doubtful about racing but they all agreed to start. Nearly all the entries in the light-weight and junior events faced the starter, but when the senior event came round the circuit had deteriorated so much that almost half the field decided that it was too risky and scratched. Of the 27 entries, only 14 started. Several noted riders, including D. Burns (Christchurch), who won both the junior and senior events last year, A. G. Holland (Christ-

church), who won the senior race in 1956 and 1958. and K. McCleary (Christchurch >, winner of the lls>t-weight event last year, were among the withdrawals for the 500 ex. race. As one would expect with

a track covered in mud and water, falls were much the order of the day. Only seven riders received the flag in the senior event. There were no serious injuries. The St. John Ambulance men were kept busy removing mud and stones from riders’ eyes and attending to cuts and bruises.

Although T. McCleary has competed in the senior event at Cust for a great many years, his victory yesterday was his first. He has won the New Zealand Junior Grand Prix twice (1952 and 1958) and the New Zealand Lightweight Grand Prix four times (1948, 1950, 1956, and 1959), but he has never before worn the crown as victor in the Dominion's motor-cycling classic.

At the drop of the starter’s flag, the North Island rider, Scobie, on a 350 c.c. machine, shot into the lead with McCleary. coming through from the second row on the grid, close behind. Half-way round at the tricky chicane. Scobie, McCleary and R. Newbrook (Trenitham), who has won the event three times, headed the field in that order.

Three-quarters of the way round the four miles and a half circuit, McCleary burst through into the lead and Newbrook withdrew. As they came past the start-finish for the first time. McCleary led Scobie by 50 yards, who in turn led another Christchurch

rider, D. Damiano (348 c.c. A.J.S.), by the length of the pit straight. W. Broadhurst (Christchurch, 498 c.c. Matchless) was in fourth place well back.

On the second lap, Scobie pulled into the pits for a new pair of goggles, losing valuable seconds, and the gap between first and second widened to Msec. By the third lap, McCleary, who was lapping consistently at about 4min 18sec, was beginning to mop up the tail-enders. He continued to increase his lead and came past the pits for the sixth time in a shower of mud. water and stones, 55sec ahead of Scobie after putting in an exceptionally fast lap at 4man 15sec.

Retirements were frequent Water caused all sorts of ignition and carburation troubles, apart from the spills, and the pits were kept fairly busy. Only four riders, McCleary. Scobie, Damiano and Broadhurst, completed the full 10 laps and only seven received the chequered flag. The first four places were unchanged throughout the race. Scobie received the Batchelor Cup tor being the highest placed 350 c.c. rider and Damiano received the Norton Trophy, presented annually to the first rider who has not previously won a major road race.

Scobie had things all his owr. way in the New Zealand Junior

Grand Prix, held in the morning over six laps. He led from start to finish after a brief battle with Newbrook and T. McCleary <348 c.c. A.J.S.). However, the minor placings altered several times before the finish.

First time round, the order was Scobie, Newbrook. T. McCleary, R. Mac Kay (Timaru, 348 c.c. A.J.9.) and K. McCleary (Christchurch. 348 c.c. Norton). On the second lap. Scobie put in the fastest time of the day at 4min 9sec and Mac Kay passed T. McCleary. Newbrook fell off on the third lap and limped into the pits with his machine slightly bent, allowing Mac Kay through into second position.

On the fifth lap. K. McCleary dropped back to sixth position with a very sick motor, but Scobie, Mac Kay and T. McCleary maintained their positions until the finish. J. Hubbard (Springston. 349 c.c. BO.) came up through the field to finish a good fourth. The New Zealand Lightweight Grand Prix, run over four laps, was perhaps the most entertaining event of the day. D. Burns (Christchurch), riding a potent 248 c.c. Ducatl, the only one of its kind in the country, took an early lead and first time round was half the length of the front straight ahead of V. Rush (Christchurch, 249 c.c. Triumph). D. Lowe (Feilding), who has won the event five times tn the past, filled third place. At the conclusion of the second lap, Rush had crept up to withjn four lengths of Bums and T. McClearv had come up from seventh to fourth place. Next time round. Rush was in the lead, but being challenged by Lowe, a couple of lengths behind. Burns. looking very disgusted with a dirty pair of goggles hanging round his neck, was well back in third. The places were unchanged on the final lap.

The New Zealand Ultra-Light-weight Grand Prix, held in conjunction with the lightweight «ve«t was won by W. Adams (Nelson), riding a 200 c.c. Triumph. The Oust and Ranglora handicaps for machines up to 120 ex., which were to be run over five laps. were cancelled because of the dangerous conditions. There were 36 entries lor these events. Results were:— SENIOR N.Z. GRANO PRIX

(10 laps, 45 miles) T. McCleary (Christchurch), 499 c.c. Norton. 43:22, 1; B. Scobie (Te Awamutu). 348 c.c. u 5 ’ 47 .’ 2; D - Damiano (Christchurch), 348 c.c. A.J.S.. 4 L I4 ’J ; w Broadhurst (Christa»aiCh)J t 9 cc ‘ Matchless, 48 47 . H. Brown (Christchurch), 499 c.c. Norton, eight laps completed, 5; D. Adair (Christchurch). 348 c.c. AJJS. seven laps completed. «; B. Gaines (Invercargill). 499 c.c. Norton, seven laps completed. Fastest lap: T. McCleary, 4:14. on second lap.

JUNIOR NX. GRAND PRIX (Six laps. 27 miles) B. Scobie (Te Awamutu), 348 A.J.S., 25:35, 1; R. Mac Kay (Timaru). 348 ex. A.J.S., 25:44, 2: T. McCleary (Christchurch), 348 c.c. A.J.S.. 28:2, 3; J. Hubbard (Springston), 349 c.c. 8.5. A., 27:18, 4. G Smith (Christchurch), 348 c.c. Excelsior. 27:52. 5; K. McCleary (Christchurch). 348 c.c. Norton. 29:8, 6.

Fastest lap: Scobie, 49, on the second and third laps. LIGHT-WEIGHT NX. GRAND

(Four laps, 18 miles) V. Rush (Christchurch). 249 c.c. Triumph. 18:34. I: D Lowe (Feilding). 249 c.c. Triumph. 18:38. 2; T. McCleary (Christchurch). 248 c.c. Velocette. 19:15. 3; D. Bums (Christchurch). 248 C.C. Ducatl. 19:32, 4; R Harris (Christchurch), 249 c.c. 8.5. A.. 5. Fastest lap: Rush. 4:29, on last lap. ULTRA - LIGHT - WEIGHT NX. GRAND PRIX (Three laps. 13.5 miles) W. Adams (Nelson), 200 ex. Triumph, 17:33, 1; R. GlUard (Christchurch). 125 c.c. Puch. 2.

Chevalier HL—Maurice Chevalier, the 74-year-old French actor, was taken ill today with gastric ’flu and both the matinee and evening performances of his oneman show at the Saville Theatre were cancelled. The audience was offered money back or tickets for another day.—London, April 13.