Moore Brilliant In Speedway Final

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 19

Moore Brilliant In Speedway Final

It is nine years since R. Moore won his second world solo speedway championship but if his brilliant performance in the final of a scratch race series at Templeton on Saturday evening is any indication he should win at least one more world crown before he retires. Moore won the four-lap final in the outstanding time of 77sec, only four-tenths of a second outside the track record, and finished 18 yards clear of his nearest challenger, the 1968 New Zealand test rider, R. Wright. This was an astonishing performance for a rider making his first competitive appearance of the season but even more remarkable was the manner in which he rode round the outside of the reigning world champion, I. Mauger, and into the lead on the opening lap. Mauger was No. 2 on the grid and Moore No. 4 for the final, the first meeting on level terms of these two fine riders. Mauger made the best of the start and was first into the corner but Moore caught him and rode round the outside in a beautifully-controlled broadside. At the end of the first

straight there was barely an inch between them. Moore went into the corner still on the outside but on the apex he clearly had the edge on the world champion. Coming off the bend and into the startfinish straight Moore chopped across into the lead. Unfortunately, at that moment the magneto on Mauger’s machine failed. Moore went on to win easily. His time was the fastest recorded this season. Mauger’s best since returning from Europe is .6«ec slower. A crowd of 5000 watched the racing. The American champion, R. Wood, resplendent in orange leathers and enclosed crash helmet, showed plenty of ability. However, he had to be content with third in his qualifying heat behind Mauger and W. Moulin and missed a place in the final. Moore went through the night unbeaten. In his first handicap race off the back mark of 150 yards it took him less than a lap and a half to take the lead. His time of Msec was the fastest achieved in a handicap event on the night. At his next outing off the same mark he again took less than two laps to get through the field. In his qualifying heat he coasted to victory in 82.4 sec. Mauger had little chance to show his ability. His machine, which arrived in New Zealand only a few days ago. was suffering from the effects of the sea air. He had to retire with motor trouble in his first race but in his second handicap event he recorded 84.2 sec off a handicap of 160 yards, which could be compared very favourably with Moore’s best effort. R. T. Hall scored another hat

trick in the speed car events, winning each race with skill and verve. However, his win in the South Island championship points race was later disputed by G. Roxburgh. Roxburgh led the race for three laps before he swung a little too wide on the south bend. Hall went for the gap while Roxburgh tried in vain to close it. As Hall shot through into the lead he clipped Roxburgh’s car and spun him out of the race. Roxburgh later laid a protest against Hall with the Auto Cycle Union referee (Mr B. McKeown). It will be considered during the week. D. Harper showed the form which won him the South Island three-quarter midget car championship last season when he won the main race in convincing fashion. D. Jones, the present points leader, tried hard but could make no impression on the flying blue car driven by Harper. Making the most of favourable handicaps. L. Dwight and B. Keirnan swept to two fine victories in the sidecar events. The reigning South Island champions, W. Philp and D. Wylie won the first race but had to be content with second in the other two. Results were: MOTOR-CYCLES Solo Handicap Races (4 laps),—First event (novice): B. Kiernan (go) 1, M. Sword (go) 2. Time, 92.6. Second event: R. Wright (130 yd 1, W. Moulin (120 yd 2, R. McKinlay (go) 3. Time, 85.3. Third event: R. Moore (150 yd 1, R. Wright (140 yd 2, T. Black (120 yd 3. Time, 84.0. Fourth event: I. Mauger (160 yd 1, T. Black (120 yd 2, M. Salt (120 yd 3. Time. 84.2. Fifth event: R. Moore (150 yd 1. R. Wood (100 yd 2, G. Ray (100 yd 3. Time, 85.0. Sixth event: R. McKinlay (80yd) 1, G. Jemmett (30yd) 2, G. Ray (130 yd 3. Time, 91.4. Seventh event (novice): K. Burt 1, A. King 2, G. King 3. Time. 97.8. Solo Scratch Event (four laps).—First qualifying heat: I. j Mauger 1, W. Moulin 2, R. Wood; (U.S.) 3. Time, 78.5. Second ( heat: R. Moore 1, R. Wright 2, M. Salt 3. Time, 52.4. Final: Moore 1, Wright 2, Moulin 3. Time, 77.0. Side-cars (four laps).—Opening handicap: W. Philp and D. Wylie (160 yd 1, L. Dwight and B. Keirnan (120 yd 2. Time, 94.8. Second handicap: Dwight and Keirnan (120 yd 1, Philp and Wylie (180 yd 2, S. England and J. Hale (go) 3. Time, 94.7. Third handicap: Dwight and Keirnan (120 yd 1. Philp and Wylie (180 yd 2, England and Hale (go) 3. Time, 94.5. MIDGET CARS Three-quarter Midget Racing Cars.—Opening handicap (six laps): N. Chandler (90yd) 1, R. Burt (100 yd 2, D. Jones (140 yd 3. Time, 2:12.5. Indian file race (six laps): N. Chandler 1, B. Mehlhopt 2, D. Harper 3. Time, 2:13.2. South Island championship points race (eight laps): D. Harper 1. D. Jones 2, R. Burt 3. Time, 2:55.2. Progress points: Jones 11, D. Richens 2, N. Chandler 5, D. Mathias 5. Speedcars.—Opening handicap (six laps): R. T. Hall (170 yd 1, G. Roxburgh (80yd) 2. J. McKitterick (80yd) 3. Time, 2:6.8. Rothmans feature (six laps): R. T. Hall 1, G. Roxburgh 2, J. McKitterick 3. Time, 2:2.5. Progress points: Hall 15, Roxburgh 7, E. Murray 2. South Island championship points race (eight laps): R. T. Hall 1, J. McKitterick 2, J. Tiekink 3, Time. 2:55.2. Progress points: Hall 17, McKitterick 8, Tiekink 5. STOCK RODS Super Modified Stock Rods.— Opening handicap (six laps): W. Rusbridge (80yd) 1, P. Annan (100yds) 2, J. Annan (80yd) 3. Time. 2:17.1. Second handicap (six laps): P. Annan (100 yd 1, W. Mooar (30yd) 2, H. Pierson (90yd) 3. Time, 2:16.0. South Island championship points race (eight laps): P. Annan 1, J. Annan 2, W. Rusbridge 3. Time, 2:54.2. Progress points: P. Annan 10, D. Cameron 9, H. Pierson 6.