S. Burt Breaks Record In Midget Car

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30973, 1 February 1966, Page 19

S. Burt Breaks Record In Midget Car

The visiting Auckland speedcar drivers, M. Neil and W. Jarden, gave a spectacular display of wheel-to-wheel racing in their final appearance at the Templeton speedway on Saturday night. But it was the local driver, S. Burt, in the three-quarter midget car class, who stole much of the limelight.

Burt, one of the leading contenders for the New Zealand three-quarter midget car championship this season, gave an immaculate display in the final six-lap scratch race, winning in the new record time of 2min 7.6 sec, seventenths of a second inside the record he set in the same J.A.P.powered car in December.

Burt took an early lead and was never really challenged. His brother, R. Burt, was coming through the field very fast in the opening laps but just when he seemed likely to challenge his motor began to misfire and he was forced to retire.

D. Harper, driving the car which carried R. Mead to South Island championship honours last season, was second and D. Richens third.

S. Burt also won the final three-lap scratch race against the three top-ranked drivers, Mead, Richens and R. Burt There is no record for three laps, but Burt’s time of 68.2 sec was outstanding. This event was marked by a three-car pile-up on the south bend involving R. Burt, Richens and Mead. Fortunately the cars were not damaged and they were aide to race in the re-run, won by S, Burt. ’■

Neil and Jarden again proved considerably superior to the best of the South Island drivers in the speedcar events, winning all but one event between them. The first six-lap race was won by the young Christchurch driver, R. Clive, but only after Neil had taken the chequered flag first and had been disqualified for putting four wheels on the grass. Results were: MOTOR-CYCLES Handicap Events <4 laps).— First race: T. Shearer ildyd) 1. A. Brown (100 yd 2, M.’ Burt (100 yd 3. Time, 91.5 sec. Second race: I. Mauger (160 yd 1, R. Webster (go) 2, T. Mauger (100 iyd) 3. Time, 88.6. Third race: 1. Mauger (160 yd 1. M. Burt (100 yd) 2, B. Lagrosse 3. Time, 87.2. Fourth race: T. Mauger (100 yd 1, R. Webster (go) 2. B. Moulin (80yd) 3. Time. 89.4 Fifth race: I. Mauger (180 yd 1. B. Lagrosse (90yd) 2. M. Burt (100 yd 3. Time, 87.8. Sixth race: G. Ray (80yd) 1, R. Wright <Boyd) 2, C. Glasson (20yd) 3. Time. 89.9. Seventh race: T. Shearer (20yd) 1. R. Webster (go) 2, G, Ray (80yd) 3. Time, 89.7. Feature scratch race <4 laps). —A. Brown 1, M. Burt 2, B. Moulin 3. Time, 82.8. MIDGET CARS Full-size Midget Car Events. — Opening handicap (6 laps): BClive (160yd> 1, M. NeH (230 yd 2, W. Jarden (230 yd 3. Time, 2:17.4. Second handicap <7 laps): M. Neil (250vd) 1, T. Hall (160 yd) 2. W. Clarkson (150 yd 3. Time. 2:52.8. Third handicap (10 laps): W. Jarden (250 yd 1. M. Neil (300 yd 2, T. Hall (160 yd) 3. Time. 3.32.2. Eightlap scratch: W. Jarden 1. M. Neil 2, R. Clive 3. Time, 2:46.6. Three-Quarter Midget Racing Cars.—Opening handicap (4 laps): J. McKltterick (110 yd 1. S. Burt (130 yd 2, B. Hopewell

2:20.6. Feature six-lap scratch: S. Burt 1, D. Harper 2, D. Richens 3. Time, 2:7.6 (record). Final three lap scratch: S. Burt 1, R. Mead 2, R. Burt 3. Time, 68.2. STOCK CARS Stock Rod Feature. —First heat (4 laps): D. Cameron 1, H. Pierson 2, J. Annan 3. Time, 96.2. Second heat (4 laps): W. Rusbridge 1, P. Annan 2, N- Quirk 3. Time. 1:41.3. Final (8 laps): Cameron 1, Rusbridge 2, P. Annan 3. Time, 3:10.6.