MOTOR-CCLING Coleman Retains Grass-track Title

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30274, 29 October 1963, Page 9

MOTOR-CCLING Coleman Retains Grass-track Title

TSie aatfoml gre«-<track ohasnpion, P. R. Colesun, of Wanganui, rode briHiantly on a fast track to retain Ms New Zealand title over eight taps of a mile course ait Queen Elizabeth H Park yestgrttoy. The meeting was foe main sporting event of foe Pioneer Ifotor Club’s Jubilee celebrations held during foe Labour Day week-end. Rading an inmsacutetelyprepared machine with an A.J.S. frame and a G5O lirtehtess engine, Coleman led One of the most exciting features of the race was the duel between two Christchurch riders, K. McCleary and S. Burt, who flndslhed second and third. Burt made some electrifying burets on his J.A.P.

There was also tense competition between two other Christchurch riders, M. Sutler, who finished fourth, and D. Bums, who was sixth. Butler and Burns constantly changed places and only towards the end of the race did Butler gain the advantage. It was then that N. Landrebe cut through to beat Burns for fifth place.

Coleman showed tremendous pace in the straights. His time of 6min 49 4-ssec for the eight miles gave him an average speed of 69.25 miles an hour. Coleman and Burt both beat Burt’s lap record of 50.4 sec by o.4sec in lap-record attempts between races. The track had been well watered during the week by the groundsman (Mr T. Stevenson), and riders said it was in excellent condition for racing. One of the most interested spectators was a former world grass-track champion, Percy Coleman, who was there tn see his son win another New Zealand grasstrack championship. The standard of reliability among the racing motorcycles was high, only two machines out of 33 entries withdrawing with mechanical troubles. Interest was maintained by a well-balanced programme of events. During the afternoon tea interval a group photograph was taken in the pits of star performers on this track during the early years of this century. Car Races There was close competition in the car races. These were somewhat spoiled by dusty conditions, which contributed to an accident. This occurred when N. Stuart, driving a Stuart Special, spun on a bend and was struck by P. Gillum, driving a Chevrolet coupe. Stuart's car, which holds the lap record of 48sec, was severely damaged. Gillum's car, which ran into trees on the outside of the bend, was slightly damaged. Neither driver was hurt. An attempt by F. Shuter to beet Stuart's lap record failed when he returned 51sec for the mile circuit. D. Stanton, driving a modified Austin A4O returned 55sec to beat R. Silvester (6ftsec) for the record saloon ear lap attempt. Interestingly modified, Stanton’s car gave one of the most impressive cornering displays during the day. Results:— Motor-cycles 250 c.c. scratch race, four laps (four miles): G. Johnson (Greeves) 1, G. J. Stapleton (Jawa) 2, W. V. Horton (Greeves) 3. Time, 3:56 1-5. 350 c.c. scratch race (four laps): I. McGregor (8.5. A. 1, S. Harrison (8.5. A. 2, G. C. Wicks (A.J.S.) 3. Time, 3:55. 500 c.c. scratch race (four laps): P. R. Coleman (Matchless) 1, K. McCleary (A.J.S.) 2, M. Butler (8.5. A. 3. Time, 327 4-5. Six-lap handicap race: A. Brown (Triumph) 1, G. C. Wicks (A.J.S.) 2. I. McGregor (8.5. A. 3. Time, 8:37 3-5. New Zealand open grass track championship (eight laps): P. R. Coleman (Matchless) 1, K. McCleary (A.J.S.) 2, S. Burt (J.A.P.) 3. Time, 6:49 4-5. Six-lap handicap for nonchampionship riders: I. McGregor (8.5. A. 1, S. Burt (JA.P.) 2, D. J. Crowe (Triumph) 3. Time. 6:26 2-5. Six-lap handicap for championship riders- S. Burt (J.A.P.) t. K. McCleary (A.J.S.) 2. A. Brown (Triumph) 3. Time, 6:2 Scratch race for fastest 12 riders (four laps): P. R. Coleman (Matchless) 1, M. Butler (B-SA.) 2. I. McGregor (8.5. A. 3. Time. 3-24 3-5. Motor-cars First race (five laps): T. Shaw (Austin Healey) 1, F. Shuter (V 8 Special) 2. D. Stanton (A4O) 3. Second race (five laps): D.

Stanton (A«) t T ._Sha w (Austin Healey) 2. G. Brown (Ford Prefect) 3.

Moore (Holaen) 1, R. Silvester (Chevrolet Coupe) 8. W. Darrell (Ace Special) 3. GYMKHANA MBVLTB Motor-cycle enthusiast* from clubs throughout Canterbury took part in the Pioneer (Sub's jubilee gymkhana at Queen faixabeth fl Park on Sunday. Hie celebrations began on Saturday night with a jubiioo m uet H a r d s: the guest*. Among specially invited guests were the chairman, the Mavor of Rlccarton (Mr E. J. Bradrtiaw). who was the first president of the club when the motor section became a separate entity from the Pioneer Amateur Sports Club. Also present wore Mr T. V. Thomas, a foundation membar. and Mr A. J. Beattie, the oldest member of the club, who can remember riding a motorcycle through CMhedral square as early as 1900. Gymkhana result* were:— Sputnlck: R. Rush 1. P. Archer 2, R. France 3. Figure eights: Rush 1. R. Millner 2. S. Harrison 3. Serpentine: Archer 1, Harrison 2, Rush 3. Dropping the ring: R. Harris 1, D. France 2, Rush 3. Tyre roHing: G. Smith 1, R. Goodwin 2. Archer 3, Potato race: D. France 1. P. Milner 2, Rush 3. Slow rope: Archer 1, B. Horton 2. K. Mitchell 3. Balloon bursting: B. Grant. The highest point* for the day were shared by R. Rush and P. Archer with nine each, R. France, with four point*, in third place.

These points count for the France Cup tor annual gymkhana point*.