EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS TO RACE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30586, 31 October 1964, Page 13

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS TO RACE

Local riders will be able to match their skill against world-class competitors for the first time when the Christchurch international moto-cross is held at Kaiapoi on December 6. The meeting will be the second of the Gold Leaf international moto-cross series, organised by Moto-Cross Enterprises, a section of the Manawatu Orion Motor-cycle Club. Three world-class riders, A. Harris (England), M. Mort (Switzerland) and G. Hauger (Germany), will race at all nine meetings in the series. A. T. Gibbes, of Australia, a former works rider and a British representative a couple of seasons ago before settling in New Zealand, will also be racing in every event along with many other topclass New Zealand riders.

Morf, whose spectacular riding has earned him works C.Z. machines, has been the Swiss national moto-cross champion for several seasons. He will be bringing two machines to Che Dominion, a 250 c.c. C.Z. and a 360 c.c. C.Z.

Kaiapoi Scramble 2nd Of Nine-Event Series

Hauger, who is the German moto-cross champion, was a works rider with the Maico factory until its withdrawal from active racing. He will probably be using a works 250 c.c. Montesa engine in a special Maieo-based frame for the smaller class races, and a 352 ex. Maico engine in a special frame for the larger classes. Harris will be mounted on a Triumph Special and a 350 c.c. 840 B.S.A. His 1964 successes include the Jugoslavian Grand Prix, the Austrian Kremsmunster national championship and second placings in the Hungarian Grand Prix and the Italian Modena championships. Conducted under the rules governing the world motorcycle scramble championships, the series will provide for an over-all winner to receive the Gold Leaf trophy. The winner will be decided on a points system based on

each rider’s four best performances. Paints will be on the basis of eight for first, six for second, four for third, three for fourth, two for fifth and one for sixth.

The Itinerary for the nine proposed events is:— November 29, Woodville; December 6. Christchurch; December 13, Timaru; December 20, Blenheim; January 3, New Plymouth: January 17, Auckland; January 24, Napier; January 31, Wellington; February 7. in conjunction with the New Zealand 500 c.c. championship at Woodville.