K. Cleghorn Adds To His Impressive List

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30711, 29 March 1965, Page 14

K. Cleghorn Adds To His Impressive List

New Zealand’s most accomplished scramble rider, K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North), added another major victory to an already formidable list when he led from start to finish in the feature 500 c.c. trophy race of 30 laps during the fifth Halswell 100 Grand National Moto Cross yesterday.

The tortuous three-quarter-mile circuit at Findlay’s Farm dried out rapidly after heavy morning rain and by the time the 500 c.c. event was started, Cleghorn was able to use the full power of his 500 c.c. A.J.S. Special to hold off the determined challenge of his brother-in-law, A. T. Gibbes (Palmerston North), who was mounted on a more manoeuvrable 250 c.c. Greeves.

His winning time for the 30 laps was 41min 16.2 sec, the fastest race time of the day but only 11.5 sec faster than that of the runner-up, Gibbes, who was the Australian representative in the recent international series. The fastest lap went to Cleghorn, with a 79.25ec on the twentyfourth lap. Gibbes, who lost valuable platings when he stalled early in the race, was only fractionally slower with two laps of 80sec while trying to make up time. Gibbes and Cleghorn, whose friendly rivalry was one of the outstanding features of the meeting, also dominated the five-lap selected riders’ race for the Jeffries Trophy. Cleghorn again set the pace after overtaking D. Burns (Christchurch), who made the best of the start, and was hotly pursued by Gibbes throughout. In this event, he set the fastest lap time of the meeting, 75.65ec, on his third.

Won Three

Last season, Gibbes won all three 30-lap class races, 50 c.c., 350 c.c. and 500 c.c., on the same machine he rode yesterday. Earlier in the day he gained resounding victories in the 250 c.c. and 350 c.c. races after mechanical troubles had eliminated several leading competitors.

In the 250 c.c. race, A. Collison (Palmerston North), made a brilliant start and first time round headed Gibbes, D. Boyce (Blenheim), I. Boorer (Timaru), K. McCleary (Christchurch) and a gaggle of other riders. Unfortunately, fuel starvation forced him to retire on the second lap and he was unable to start again In any succeeding events.

Gibbes went on to win but the minor placings changed rapidly. Boyce pressed him hard in the early stages only to withdraw on the eleventh lap. The brilliant 15-year-old lad from Blenheim, I. Miller, took over and held second place for the next 13 laps. On the twenty-fourth circuit, G. Stapleton (Christchurch), made his bid and went past Miller. However, his stay in the second position was shortlived. He had cut down the distance to the leader considerably but his motor could not stand the pace and two laps later seized solid.

This left Miller in undisputed command of second place but on the last lap he lost his chain and withdrew. B. Hortln (Christchurch), who was well back, took the chequered flag in second place. The 350 c.c. race perhaps contained the most interest for in this the outcome was in doubt until the penultimate lap. N. Miller (Blenheim) made the best of the start and led Gibbes first time round. On the second lap he took a fall, recovered brilliantly, but let Gibbes through. Hit Wheel On the fourth lap, Gibbes hit the rear wheel of another rider he was lapping and stalled. This left Miller in command and relegated him to seventh. He gradually began to make up ground, although his task semed hopeless. On the thirteenth lap, Miller lost his gear-lever and was restricted to second gear only. This gave Gibbes the chance he needed. Miller took a minor spill and he regained the lead on the fifteenth lap. Miller pulled into the pits on next tour and resumed racing in seventh position, still with only second gear. His younger brother, I. Miller, took over second place and was forcing Gibbes to the limit when he stalled on the second-to-last lap. N. Miller had been brilliantly working his way up the field in spite of his handicap and when I Miller retired, found himself back in second position. The nlacings remained unchanged for the final lap. I. Boorer (Timaru) rode steadily in third place throughout and held it to the end.

The 500 c.c. event was reasonably straightforward, although there were several changes among the minor placings after Cleghorn had established himself firmly in the lead. The South Island champion, Burns, started well on his Matisse and held second place for 11 laps before a fall put him well back in the field.

Gibbes made a poor start and first time round was lying seventh. However, he made up ground quickly and was chal-

lenging Burns for second place on the sixth lap when he stalled and lost three places. He came through again and took over second place on the twelfth lap when Burns dropped back. D. Boyce moved through into third and the placings remained unchanged until the finish, although Gibbes was gaining on Cleghorn over the last 10 laps. . Results 250 c.c. Event (30 laps).—A. T. Gibbes (Palmerston North), Greeves, 47:6.8, 1; B. Horton (Christchurch), Greeves, 2; N. Currie (Christchurch)., Greeves, 3; W. Pink (Palmerston North), 8.5. A., 4; R. Gfllard (Christchurch), Greeves, 5; M. Gifford (Blenheim), Jawa, 6; W. Tweedy (Dunsandel), 8.5. A., 7. 350 c.c. Event <3O laps).—A. T. Gibbes, 250 c.c. Greeves), 45:11.4, 1: N. Miller (Blenheim), 350 c.c. Matchless, 46:12.1, 2; I. Boorer (Timaru), 250 c.c. D.0.T., 3; B. Horton, 250 c.c. Greeves, 1

4; W. Pink 250 c.c. 8.5. A., 5; G. Holland (Christchurch), 350 c.c. J.A.P., 6; P. Milner (Christchurch), 350 c.c. 8.5. A., 7. 500 c.c. Event (30 laps).—K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North), 500 c.c. A.J.S., 41:16.2, 1; A. T. Gibbes, 250 c.c. Greeves, 41:27.2, 2; D. Boyce (Blenheim), 250 c.c. D.0.T., 3; B. Horton, 250 c.c. Greeves, 4; D. Burns (Christchurch), 500 c.c. Matisse, 5; G. Stapleton (Christchurch), 250 c.c. D.0.T., 6; G. Holland, 350 c.c JA P 7 Consolation Race (five laps).— R. Johnston (Timaru), Matisse, 7:21.1, 1; J. Davies (Feilding), B.S.A. 350 c.c., 2; I. McGregor (Christchurch), 8.5. A., 7:19, 1; S. Marsh (Palmerston North) 2. 250 c.c.: L. R. Boyce (Blenheim), D.0.T., 1: W. Sword (Christchurch), D.0.T., 2. Selected Riders’ Race (five laps).—K. Cleghorn, 500 c.c. A.J.S., 6:21, 1; A. T. Gibbes, 250 c.c. Greeves, 6:24.1, 2; D. Burns, 500 c.c. Matisse, 3.