More, Better Speedway Racing

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 32

More, Better Speedway Racing

A considerable amount of expensive new machinery, many new competitors as well as last season’s stars, and much improved facilities will be features when the Christchurch Speedway Association opens its 1963-64 season at Templeton on Saturday. The meeting will be the ninth held by the association since the speedway was completed in February last year. The former triple world champion, R. Moore, who has now settled permanently in Christchurch, will probably make a demonstration appearance during the season,

according to the president (Mr John Morris). However, he will not compete against local riders. Consideration is also being given to a representative match between a North Island team of three-quarter midget cars and speedway motor-cycles and the local drivers and riders, Mr Morris said. Practices have now been in progress for some time and both riders and drivers are shaping up well. Records are expected to fall on Saturday as the cinder track has been improved. A 20ton roller has been busy hardening the base and the track is expected to hold better than it did last season. Competitors will find it more slippery but higher speeds should be maintained.

Once again the stock cars may provide the biggest thrills. Thirty-five cars have entered for these events. The current champion, R. McPhail, will be driving the same potent Ford V-8 with which he won the title. Last season’s favourites—H. Pierson, P. Annan and J. Annan —will all be seen in action.

A new class for stock rod cars, with light bodies and no heavy "armour,’’ will be initiated on Saturday. They will race under midget car rules. Seven drivers, including McPhail. Pierson and J. Morris, have entered. There will be a better turnout of midget cars. A notable comeback is being made by G. Hauschild, who was prominent at the old Aranui stadium. Together with Morris, who will be driving the car raced by R. Payne last year, and McPhail in a Plymouth powered racer, he could prove a big drawcard. Later in the season, T. Hall, another Aranui driver, will be racing his new £2OOO Holden powered midget which is now in the final stages of construction. A high-class field of 16 will battle for honours in the

three-quarter midget class, including the lap recordholder, Morriss, the Canterbury champion, R. Burt, and S. Burt. R. Mead, S. Christiansen and R. Jemmett. The class will be run in two divisions with a grand slam event towards the end of the evening. In practice the speedway motor-cycle riders have been showing particularly fine form. M. Burt has confirmed the early promise he showed last sason and might win the local championship held by his brother, S. Burt. T. Mauger, a brother of I. Mauger who has recently made a name for himself in England, has also been showing steadier form. Twentytwo riders will compete on the opening night

Stock motor-cycles and gokarts will also be featured.