Major Cycling Race May Go

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31802, 5 October 1968, Page 15

Major Cycling Race May Go

Probably the best known amateur cycling race in Canterbury, the Round The Gorges event, is in danger of being cancelled.

Mr G. Tabak, president of the HornbyChristchurch club which organises the 100-mile race, said yesterday a final decision on this year’s event would be made at a special meeting on Monday evening. Mr Tabak blamed the heavy levies placed on the club—and the others in Canterbury —for the doubt attached to the race. Levies Of $96 Levies were imposed on all clubs earlier this year to bolster the Canterbury centre’s finances, and the centre itself was later levied by the national association to send the Olympic cyclists to Mexico. This levy was passed on to the Canterbury clubs, who were each required to pay $96. “If we pay this levy, we cannot hold the Gorges race,"

said Mr Tabak. “We are not going to make the club bankrupt for the sake of one race, although we have already received 10 entries from Dunedin and Invercargill, as the race is also for the South Island championship. Second Loss To Sport “We are the youngest club in Canterbury, and have only a handful of riders. We cater mostly for novices,” said Mr Tabak. “If we meet these levies, we will not have enough money for the Gorges race. But are still hopeful that a sponsor can be found. “But unless something happens by Monday, there will be no Gorges race this year.” If the event were cancelled, Canterbury would have lost two of its major 100-mile ' races in one season. The Buller 100 was taken off the (calendar after the West Coast ' earthquakes because of the j conditions of the roads and the fact that the Westport ’club is in a state of partial I recess until the area recovers.