Top Riders Ensure Moto-Cross Success

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30916, 24 November 1965, Page 23

Top Riders Ensure Moto-Cross Success

[Bti Our Motor-Cycling Reporter.] With riders of proven ability of the Englishman, Frank Underwood, competing, this year’s international moto-cross series —only the second to be held in New Zealand—can hardly fail, at least, to equal the outstanding success of the first.

Underwood, a 28-year-old dairy farmer from Cirencester, is one of the leading riders competing regularly on the European scramble circuit as a professional. He must have an excellent chance of taking the Gold Leaf Trophy and a considerable amount of the prize money (£l5O is at stake in each of the seven meetings) back to England with him. The seven-match series be gins at Woodville on December 5. Riders will compete in Christchurch on December 12 and Timaru on December 19.

One of Underwood’s greatest attributes is his riding experience. He has been com-

peting in moto-cross events for 10 years, entering racing when only 18 on a 500 c.c. Velocette. He rapidly graduated to senior class and was contracted to ride works machines for A.J.S. NEW MACHINE

After a few years with works machines, he purchased one of the outstanding Metisse scramblers, now appearing on New Zealand tracks. With this machine he has recorded more than 40 first places, as well as many seconds and thirds, in international events. But even this fine machine has now been superseded. In New Zealand he will ride a

500 c.c. Triumph-engined Wasp, one of the latest motocross machines to be designed by the prominent English constructor, Mr Arthur Shawyer.

For low capacity motorcycle races he will use a 250 c.c. Greeves Challenger, a machine identical to the one on which G. Terry (Palmerston North) won the national 250 c.c. title at Halswell recently.

However, in spite of hi's impressive record, Underwood faces a formidable task in his bid for overall victory. Two other international lyfamous riders, Paul Hunt (America) and Bert Lundin (Sweden), are not travelling half-way round the world just to take a minor placing. Nor is New Zealand’s world road racing champion, Hugh Anderson, a sluggard on a scramble machine. CLUB'S FORESIGHT

The fact that the ManawatuOrion Motor-cycle Club made a modest profit on last year’s series at a time when most sports were suffering major financial problems speaks volumes for the foresight of the club and the interest shown by the general public.

Under the influence of the former Ariel works scramble rider, A. T. Gibbes, and the multiple New Zealand champion, K. Cleghorn, the dub has developed into one of the most progressive motorcycling organisations in the country. Some doubt the wisdom of haying two international series in succession, and they probably have good grounds to do so, but let them hold their peace now that the series is again well under way.

As long as dubs have the courage to promote the sport on such a scale —the penalty for failure is a loss of several thousand pounds—motor-

cycling in New Zealand will continue to prosper competitively.