Swede Scores Narrow Win In Moto-Cross

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30938, 20 December 1965, Page 18

Swede Scores Narrow Win In Moto-Cross

Riding his own machine for the first time in New Zealand, the Swedish competitor, B. Lundin, led from start to finish in the final South Island event of the international moto-cross series, held over 50 laps of the spectacular Lyalldale course, near Timaru, yesterday.

His win was thor* oughly deserved and compensated for the crash which cost him certain victory in the second event, at Kaiapoi last week. But it was, by no means an overwhelming victory. So close was the second rider, A. T. Gibbes (Australia), durins the last three laps that the outcome was always in doubt On the final lap the Australian, riding a 500 c.c. Metisse borrowed from A. Collinson, was closing the gap very quickly. However, Lundin, mounted on the 500 c.c. Lito on which his brother, Sten, won the world championship, made a tremendous effort on the last lap to finish a split second ahead of the Australian. It was a grandstand finish in the best traditions of motorcycling. Anderson Third

Third place went to New Zealand’s world road racing champion, H. Anderson (Ohinewai). The Palmerston North rider, G. Wroblenski, was fourth, and G. Stapleton (Christchurch) led home the local entries on the smallest machine in the first six, a 250 c.c. D.O.T. He was fifth. Lundin's winning time tor the distance of about IS miles. was 30min IS.Jaec. After three meetings, he now has 16 points from a win. a second and a fifth. In second place Is Collison, who was unable to ride yesterday because of mumps, with 14 points. Other leading points scorers are: Anderson 12, F. Underwood (England) 11. Gibbes 7. The American representative, P. Hunt, who had magneto trouble yesterday, has two points and K. Cleghorn, one of the two New Zealand representatives, has yet to score.

Underwood Drape Dot Mght from the drop of the starter’s flag the raee. was a thrtHar. Underwood settled tn behind Landin and appeared to be comfortably holding Ms own with Anderson. WroMeneki and Gibbon elose behind. He contUraed in second place, spectacularly riding an his back wheel only whenever he could, for eight laps. Then on the ninth the primary chain on bls borrowed AJ.S. broke and he was out of the raee. This loft Anderson in second place, leec behind Lundin and 4sec ahead of Gibbes. who had managed to get pact Wroblenski into third poeMon after a particularly enthralling struggle, it was then that Gibbon, riding at hie most brilliant beet, made Me Mg effort. On the eleventh lap he ehot poet Anderson, who oald later that he had net roeltood tobbeo

was so close, and set ofl alter the leader. He was Mac behind on the twelfth lap, S.tssc on the thirteenth and Scec on the fourteenth. On the final lap he continued to close the gap rapidly but he had left his run jurt too late. Cleghorn was forced to retire on the fourth lap wbUs In sixth position. His 500 c.c. A.J.S. Spacial had seised in practice and ignition troubles farced him out on the 250 c.c. Greeves he borrowed for the race.

Second Victory The other main race, the internaUonal classic of eight laps, was also won by Lundin in another extremely close finish. Anderson, riding a 500 c.c. Metisse, was second, .Use behind, and Underwood was third. Although ho was outclassed by the International riders on their more powerful machinery, the Christchurch rider. Stapleton, again stole some of the limelight. In the conciliation race, lie built up such a commanding lead that when the sprocket came undone on hla 2M c.c. D.O.T. he was able to push hla machine the last 100 yards and still win. Results were:— International Moto-Cross.— Preliminary heat (6 laps): O. WroMeneki (Palmerston North), 500 c.e. A.J.S.-Greeves, 12:41.1, 1: G. Stapleton (Chriatchurch), 250 c.c. D.0.T., 2; A. Subloton (Dunedin). 500 c.c. El-Sub Special, 3. Final <l5 laps).—fl. Lundin (Sweden). 500 c.c. Lito, 30:15.3. 1:A. T. Gibbes (Australia), 500 c.c. Metisse, 30:15.4, 2: H. Anderson (Ohinewai), SOO c.c. Metisse, 3; G. Wroblenski (Palmerston North), 500 c.c. Greeves. 4: G. Stapleton (Christchurch). 250 c.e. D.0.T.. 5; A. Subteton (Dunedin), soo c.c. El-Sub Special. 0. International Classic (a laps). —B. Lundin (Sweden). 500 c.e. Lite. 16:15.0. 1: H. Anderson (New Zealand). SOO c.c. Metisse, 16:15.0, 2; F. Underwood (England). 500 c.c. A.J.S., 10:16. 3; G. Wroblenski (Palmerston North). 500 c.c. AJ.S.-Greeves, 4; K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North), 250 c.c. Greeves,. 5: A. Sabiaton (Dunedin), SOO c.c. ElSub Special. 6. Class Racing (6 laps each).— 250 c.c.: H. Anderson (Obinewal), Husqvarna, 13:0. 1: K. Cleghorn (Palmerston North). Greeves. 2; G. Stapleton (Christchurch), D.O.T. 3. 350 e.c.: B. Meyer (Christchurch), 8.8. A., 14:16.8, 1; P. MUner (Christchurch), B.BJL, 3; P. Docks (Christchurch). 250 c.e. Greeves, 3. 500 e.c.: B. Lundin (two den). Uto. 12:53.4, 1; H- Andersen

(Ohinewai). MeUese, 12:56.4. 2: A. T. Gibbes (Australis). Metises, 3. Junior: R. Meyer (Chriatchurch), 350 c.c. B.S.A. 13:41.3. 1; R. Kilgour (Dunedin). SOO c.c. 8.5. A.. 2; G. Holland (Chriatchurch), 350 e.c. J.A.P., 3. ConeolaUon Raca (3 laps).— Stapleton (Christchurch), 2M> D.0.T., 1; A. SuMdton (Dun edin). SOO c.c. El-Sub Special, 2.