Happer Has Surprise Win In N.Z. Scramble

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31649, 8 April 1968, Page 18

Happer Has Surprise Win In N.Z. Scramble

The young Dunsandel rider, R. Happer, finally realised the potential he showed in the early stages of his career when he won the New Zealand 500 c.c. scramble championship over 15 laps of the Findlay’s Farm international circuit yesterday afternoon.

Riding his 500 c.c. Triumph - engined Wasp, he mastered the exceptionally dusty conditions with the skill of a veteran, and was one of the few riders not to go off the track. He was not the fastest rider but his consistency carried him through while others lost time picking themselves up..

The dust proved so dangerous after the early races that officials were forced to alter the course slightly. In parts of the circuit riders were riding blind and spills were frequent.

Happer's form this year has been very disappointing, and before the race few would have i given him much chance of fin-

ishing higher than sixth. He failed to win a place in the South Island team a few weeks ago, but yesterday he thoroughly deserved his surprise win. LEADER CRASHES Several riders who looked potential winners early in the race had wretched luck.

K. Kilgour (Christchurch) led for almost six laps on his 360 c.c. Greeves only to lose all chance when he crashed on one of the easiest sections more than 400 yards clear of Happer. By the time he had picked himself out of the gorse bushes and started his machine three riders, Happer, A. Sabiston and P. Doecke, all of Christchurch, had swept by. Then Sabiston, riding another 360 c.c. Greeves, closed up on Happer and waited his chance. On the twelfth ’lap he made his bid, and drew level with Happer down the front straight only to misjudge his speed at the tight corner at the end and tumble.

This left P. Doecke (Christchurch), the New Zealand 250 c.c. miniature T.T. champion, in second place. He tried hard to bridge the gap on his 250 c.c. C.Z., but just did not have the power to make any real impression. Happer’s winning time for the 15 laps was 23min 22.45ec. Doecke, who was second, and Kilgour finished within Usee a! this. Sabiston was fourth, and the Shand brothers from Dunedin, Dave and John, filled the next two places. N. Miller (Blenheim), the favourite for the title, did not arrive with the Blenheim contingent. His younger brother, Ivan, who shortly leaves on an overseas trip, withdrew. The Blenheim riders who took part probably wished they had stayed home. OWEN INJURED H. Owen, who led the field for one lap in the New Zealand championship on his 360 c.c. C.Z., crashed heavily and dislocated his shoulder. He was taken to hospital. In the previous South Island 250 c.c. race he also crashed, and after being treated for torn ligaments in his shoulder was advised not to race in the main event. D. Boyce, another strong Blenheim championship contender, crashed in the first five-lap scratch race and badly strained his arm. He was unable to race again. Later, Kilgour, keen to avenge his defeat in the main race, requested a 500 c.c. challenge race The organisers, the Tai Tapu Motor Club, agreed to hold this over three laps, but it ended in disaster. Kilgour was leading Sabiston and Happer in that order when he crashed once again. Sabiston ran over the top of him and crashed, and Happer hit the two fallen machines. The race was abandoned and Kilgour was taken to hospital for observation. Sabiston and Happer both suffered bruises and grazes.

HOLLAND WINS Before the start of the South Island 250 c.c. championship, officials and riders, concerned at the number of crashes in the choking dust clouds, reduced the race from 15 to 10 laps. It was brilliantly won by G. Holland (Christchurch) on his 250 c.c. C.Z.. but another Christchurch rider, H. Anderson, provided the surprise. Anderson led the race for four laps on his Bultaco and only lack of fitness prevented him from maintaining his early pace. He eventually dropped back to third behind D. Shand (Dunedin), but rallied just enough to hold off the fast-finishing C.Z. rider, Doecke, by half a length. Once he took the lead Holland seemed a sure winner, but he very nearly lost the race when he fell on the penultimate lap. His motor kept running and he remounted without losing the lead.

The Shand brothers stole the limelight in the Foskitt Memorial Trophy race for 250 c.c. machines. In a tremendous finish, John just managed to edge out Dave with Doecke only a few yards behind. Results were:

New Zealand 500 c.c. Championship <l5 laps).—R. Happer (Dunsandel), 500 c.c. Wasp. 23:22.4, 1; P. Doecke (Christchurch), 250 c.c. C.Z., 23:28.2, 2: K. Kilgour (Christchurch), 360 c.c. Greeves, 23:33.1, 3; A. Sabiston (Christchurch), 360 c.c. Greeves, 4; D. Shand (Dunedin), 250 c.c. C.Z., 5: J. Shand (Dunedin), 250 c.c. C.Z., 6.

South Island 250 c.c. Championship (10 laps).— G. Holland (Christchurch), 250 c.c. C.Z., 15:29.2, 1: D. Shand (Dunedin), 250 c.c. C.Z., 15:33.2, 2; H. Anderson (Christchurch), 250 c.c. Bultaco, 15:36, 3: P. Doecke (Christchurch), 250 c.c. C.Z., 4; K. Miles (Rangiora), 250 c.c. Montessa, 5; W. Horton, 250 c.c. Greeves, 6.

Foskitt Memorial Trophy Race (5 laps).—J. Shand (Dunedin). 250 c.c. C.Z., 7:44, 1; D. Shand (Dunedin), 250 c.c. C.Z., 7:44.3, 2; P. Doecke (Christchurch), 250 c.c. C.Z., 7:46.1, 3.

250 c.c. Scratch Race (5 laps). —G. Holland (Christchurch), C.Z., 7:38.4, 1; H. Anderson (Christchurch), Bultaco, 7:47.2, 2; P. Doecke (Christchurch), C.Z., 7:48, 3.

350 c.c. Scratch Race (5 laps). —C. Shaw <Dunedin), Greeves, 1: T. Mitchington (Kaiapoi).

Mitchling, 2: S. Harrison (Christchurch), D.0.T., 3.

500 c.c. Scratch Race (5 laps). —H. Owen (Blenheim), 360 c.c. C.Z., 7:33.3, 1; K. Kilgour (Christchurch), 360 c.c. Greeves, 7:35, 2; A. Sabiston (Christchurch), 360 c.c. Greeves, 8:2.1, 3.

Non-Championship Riders’ Race (5 laps).—T. Mitchington (Kaiapoi) 1, D. Brandon (Kaiapoi) 2, R. Harrison (Christchurch) 3.