Cleghorn, Gibbes Star Riders In Moto-Cross

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30708, 25 March 1965, Page 15

Cleghorn, Gibbes Star Riders In Moto-Cross

The surprise winner of the recent international series, K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North), and the Australian representative, A. T. Gibbes, head the three classes to contest New Zealand’s toughest scramble meeting—the Halswell 100 Grand National moto-cross—at the testing Findlay’s farm circuit on Sunday.

More than 70 entries have been received for the three classes, 250 c.c., 350 c.c. and 500 c.c., and many old rivalries will be renewed.

Five races, three of 30 laps for the three classes, a five-lap consolation event and a five-lap invitation, will be held on the |-mile circuit.

Changes have been made to the circuit. It has been lengthened slightly, the front straight is longer, the back section winds further up towards the farm house and more use is made of the quarry pit, which incorporates a breath-taking drop only slightly off vertical. Many of the old hazards, such as the water splash, have also been retained.

However, these changes should , only serve to increase the challenge. Gibbes, who is currently living in Palmerston North, is the major contender

for multiple honours in the three classes. A former works rider and England representative, he gave a brilliant display in the moto-cross last season, winning all three races (90 laps in all) on the same machine, a tiny 250 c.c. Greeves. On Sunday he will be attempting to repeat this performance on the Greeves but his task will be more difficult. In the last 12 months the over-all standard of scrambling has greatly improved, partly due to the efforts of Gibbes, and now there are a number of young riders capable of pushing him hard.

Now that the South Island open champion, D. Burns (Christchurch), is concentrating on the 500 c.c. class, Gibbes appears to be the logical winner of the 250 c.c. event. The only riders likely to present him with a strong challenge are A. Collison and W. Pink (Palmerston North), both North Island representatives, the brilliant 15-year-old from Blenheim, I. Miller, and possibly Christchurch’s G. Stapleton and N. Currie. The outcome of the other two 30-lap races is not quite so obvious. N. Miller (Blenheim), who is perhaps the most outstanding 350 c.c. rider in New Zealand, must start as favourite for this class on his Matchless. He did not compete last season but has previously taken the major placings in both 350 c.c. and 500 c.c. events. 250 c.c. Challenge Miller’s main opposition will come from the leading 250 c.c. riders, Gibbes, Collison, Pink and I. Miller. They will be attempting to make up for their loss in power by the better manoeuvrability of

their lighter machines. K. Davis (Feilding) and I. McGregor (Christchurch) are two 350 c.c. mounted riders who should be well up with toe leading bunch. Cleghorn, the most brilliant rider produced in this country, seems unlikely to encounter any difficulty in winning the 500 c.c. class. Last season he lost a chain while holding a commanding lead in this class.

Nevertheless, he will not be allowed to loiter. One mistake and any one of half a dozen riders could win. Burns produced some determined performances on his newlyacquired Matisse at the recent inter-island scramble and he should be in even better form on Sunday.

R. Johnston (Timaru), W. Gibson (Napier), Gibbes, Collison, Pink, N. Miller and Stapleton will ensure that this event does not develop into a procession.