Speedway Records Fall

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31549, 11 December 1967, Page 19

Speedway Records Fall

The controversial one-lap and four-lap solo motor-cycle records. set by R. Duckworth almost four years ago, were broken by the Christchurch former double world champion, R. Moore, during a special “international" teams’ race contest at the Templeton Speedway on Saturday night.

In the first heat of the teams’ event, Moore brilliantly accelerated into the lead and at the end of one lap was almost 100 yd clear of his opposition team leader, H. Cole (England). On the second lap he was timed at 18.6 sec, which cut .3sec off Duckworth’s lap record. He won, easing up, in a fantastic 78sec—1.13sec inside the old mark which was until Saturday considered too fast to be realistic. Moore was unbeatable, winning his four scratch events by handsome margins and bringing victory to his team nearly single-handed. His team beat Cole’s team by 16 points to 14, and Moore scored 12 points himself. The teams, with individual points scored, were:— Moore’s team, 16: R. Moore 12, A. Brown 3, G. Ray (reserve) 1, T. Black 0. Cole’s team 14: R. Wright 7, H. Cole 5, W. Moulin 2.

Duckworth’s records have resisted the best efforts of I. Mauger. who was third in the world championship this year, and several leading English and Scottish riders. Moore was so far ahead in this race that it was obvious he was only cruising through the final laps. He confirmed this later in the pits. In this form, it is doubtful if anybody could have beaten Moore. It was obvious why English promoters are still offering him contracts to return to the international scene.

Moore’s brilliance overshadowed some otherwise noteworthy performances. R. Wright was outstanding among the local riders. He won one race in Slsec, one of the fastest times recorded by a regular Templeton rider. A. Brown also showed well.

When it became obvious that he had no hope of catching Moore, Cole, the winner of the New Zealand championship last season, concerned himself with shepherding the other member of his team home into second place and contented himself with third. Only in the final heat did Cole get anywhere near Moore.

It was Cole’s farewell appearance. He is moving to Auckland.

Although heavy rain upset proceedings towards the end of the programme, the meeting was undoubtedly the best of the season. Five records, including Moore’s, were broken on the night in the various classes and one other depends on the outcome of a protest. Lap Record To Hall The former South Island speed-car champion, R. T. Hall, broke his three-year-old lap record with a new time of 19.7 sec. This was ~2sec faster than the old mark. He won the opening handicap off 120 yd in 84.5 sec and then won the Rothmans six-lap scratch race. Because of the rain, the South

Island championship pointe race was reduced to four laps and E. Murray made good use of his start off the front of the grid to win narrowly from Hall. Murray now shares the championship lead with G. Roxburgh. Hall is one point behind. In the opening four-lap stock rod handicap, J. Annan lowered the one-lap and four-lap records to 20.8 sec and 93.55ec, respectively. Later, he snatched the lead only a short distance from the finish in the championship points race but was disqualified for waving his arms outside the confines of his vehicle.

Protest Lodged His winning time for this race, reduced from eight to four laps, was 89sec, or 4.ssec inside the record he established earlier. However, this will not be recognised unless his written protest is upheld. Maximum points were awarded to his brother, P. Annan, who was second.

There was one serious accident. N. Hawkins rolled his speed-car at the first bend in the championship points race and was taken from the track by ambulance. He later recovered fully. The race was stopped and rerun. Results: MOTOR CYCLES Solo Handicap Events (4 Laps). —Novice race: R. Hall 1, G. Jemmett 2. Time, 90.0. Second race: R. Clarkson (go) 1, G. Ray 2, I. Begbie 3. Time, 87.5. Third race: G. Ray (110 yd 1, R. Clarkson (go) 2, M. Lambie (go) 3. Time, 89.0. Fourth race: G. Ray (110 yd 1, R. Clarkson (20 yd) 2, E. Gluestein (20yd) 3. Time, 92.0.

Teams’ Racing (each heat 4 laps).—First heat: R. Moore 1, R. Wright 2, H. Cole 3. Time, 78.0 (record). Also lap record to Moore of 18.6. Second heat: Moore 1, Moulin 2. Cole 3. Time, 80.0. Third heat: R. Wright 1, A. Brown 2, G. Ray 3. Time, 81.0. Fourth heat: Moore 1, Cole 2, Brown 3. Time, 82.0. Fifth

heat: Moore 1, Wright 2, Cole 3. Time, 80.5.

Final result: Moore’s team 16 points, Cole's team 14.

Sidecar Combinations (3 laps). —Opening handicap: W. Philp and D. Wylie 1, J. McKitterick and A. Perkins 2, L. Begbie and D. Harper 3. Time, 71.5. Second handicap: Philp and Wylie (10yd) 1, McKitterick and Perkins (70yd) 2, Begbie and Harper (go) 3. Time, 71.5. Third Handicap: Philp and Wylie (60yd) 1, Begbie and Harper (go) 2. Time, 72.5. MIDGET CARS Three-quarter Midget Racing Cars. —Opening handicap (4 laps): D. Harper (UOyd) 1, J. McKitterick (50yd behind field) 2, D. Jones (110 yd 3. Time, 94.0. Second handicap (6 laps): N. Chandler (70yd) 1, D. Jones (150 yd 2, S. Burt (160 yd 3. Time, 2:18.5. South Island championship points race <4 laps): D. Harper 1, D. Jones 2, N. Chandler 3. Time, 93.0. Progress points: S. Burt 8, D. Harper 7, A. Godfrey 2, D. Jones 2.

Speedcars.—Opening handicap (4 laps); R. T. Hall (120 yd 1, E. Murray (140 yd 2, G. Roxburgh (120 yd 3. Time, 84.0. Lap record of 19.7 sec to Hall. Rothmans feature scratch race (6 laps): R. T. Hall 1, E. Murray 2, G. Roxburgh 3. Time, 2:4. South Island championship points race (4 laps): E. Murray 1. R. T. Hall 2, G. Roxburgh 3. Time, 84.0. Progress points: G. Roxburgh 6, E. Murray 6, R. T. Hall 5. STOCK RODS Stock Rod Events.—Opening handicap (4 laps): J. Annan (110 yd 1, W. Guy (go) 2, W. Rusbridge (120 yd 3. Time, 93.5 (record). Lap record of 20.8 to Annan. Second handicap (6 laps): J. Annan (150 yd 1, P. Annan (140 yd 2, W. Guy (go) 3. Time, 2:19. South Island championship points race (4 laps): P. Annan 1, D. Cameron 2, W. Rusbridge 3. Progress points: P. Annan 9, W. Rusbridge 8, J. Annan 4.