Speedway Driver Injured

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31275, 23 January 1967, Page 3

Speedway Driver Injured

One of the leading contenders for the South Island three-quarter midget racing car title this season, D. Richens, was injured during the main eight-lap race in his class at the Templeton Speedway on Saturday evening.

The biggest attendance of the season—6ooo—saw Richens lose control of his tiny racer while battling for the lead in the opening lap and, at more than 50 miles an hour, hit the safety fence at the end of the pit straight The car hurtled into the air and crashed down, upside down. The race was immediately stopped, and officials raced across to help Richens already struggling to free his safety belt. Richens was treated by St. John Ambulance officers and taken to hospital, where he was examined and sent home. Yesterday a severe gash in a leg was still bleeding, and he had to have it stitched. He was badly bruised, and last evening was

still finding it painful to walk. His car was badly damaged, and it is unlikely that it will be racing again next Saturday. Before the accident Richens was first equal with D. Harper on points for the South Island championship. Harper won the re-run race and now has a three-point lead. A motor-cycle rider, G. Ray, escaped serious injury when he collided with another rider and crashed to the cinders on the prison bend during an early handicap race. He staggered to his feet and attempted to get off the track, but collapsed on the cinders. He was carried from the track by ambulance men and recovered in the pits.