FAST, COLOURFUL VISITORS First Match For U.S. Speedway Riders

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31837, 15 November 1968, Page 13

FAST, COLOURFUL VISITORS First Match For U.S. Speedway Riders

fhe two visiting American professional speedway riders. Chuck Jones and DeWayne Keeter, of Los Angeles, will make their first competitive appearance in New Zealand at Templeton tomorrow evening.

They will have a chance to get used to the quarter-mile track in a series of handicap races before lining up for the four-lap feature scratch race.

In this they will meet two {of New Zealand’s leading riders, the 1968 international. R. Wright, and another of the {Templeton stars, W. Moulin. Keeter and Jones have not {previously competed on a { quarter-mile circuit but they {practised on Tuesday evening {and impressed by their performances. Although reluct{ant to stand up in the accepted style while cornering, both were regularly returning lap {times of 19.5 sec. Advantage On Corners These were faster than any riders averaged at the opening meeting of the season last week-end. If the Templeton motor-cyclists are to beat them, their superior skill on the corners will be a deciding factor. Keeter and Jones are two of the most colourful riders to visit Christchurch and scorn the usual sombre black leathers. Keeter, who was runner-up in the American national ehampionship last season, has gold leathers with a black cross and stars on the front.

But his outfit pales in comparison to that of Jones, who was third in the last American national championship. Jones turned out for practice in blue and white striped leathers but for competition he has a special set. These have one leg in red, one in blue, one arm in red and one in blue, and a white front with the American i crest on the chest. Also he [has “U.S.A.” printed on one iarm and his initials on the 'other. 1 Jones will also wear one

{of the special American crash I helmets which completely {encloses his head, rather like {a space helmet with the visor [down, { Both Keeter and Jones {have been taught speedway {riding by the former world [champion. J. Milne, his brother, C. Milne, and another well known rider of former days. P. Cullum. They have come to Christchurch specifically to learn how to ride on quarter-mile speedway tracks at the sug-

gestion of the reigning world champion, I. Mauger, who is returning to Christchurch on November 30. “We have been told that all the world champions come from here and we hope to learn something during our stay,” Keeter said.

i Both consider that the ' Templeton track is “terrific” ■ but concede that it does get • “a little lumpy.” They willstay in Christchurch for > about four weeks before mov- • ing on to Australia and then I to England. ’ Professional Riders Both earn their living from riding motor-cycles, although ■ it does not all come from i speedway riding which is i only beginning to revive in ■ interest in America.

Keeter was the Californian scrambles champion in 1965 and the same year was the national 50-lap T.T. champion. In 1966 he won the national seven-mile championship and holds the 15-lap record for speedway at his home track, Ascot.