Restrictions On Riders For T.T. Races

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31941, 19 March 1969, Page 15

Restrictions On Riders For T.T. Races

Prompted by the fatal accident of the New Zealand representative, I. Veitch, in the Isle of Man motor-cycle T.T. last season, the New Zealand Auto Cycle Union has decided to restrict its team for the race this year to riders with overseas experience.

R. Haldane, of Tauranga, a rider with an impressive background of experience and achievement in the Dominion and further afield, has been chosen as captain of the team,

announced yesterday by the president of the union (Mr A. M. Laurenson, of Timaru). The other two riders will be K. Turner (Napier) and R. Breignan (Gisborne). “These three riders have competed in previous Isle of Man and European races and at present are living in England,” Mr Laurenson said. Delegates to last year’s conference of the union had expressed concern at the great disadvantage New Zealand

riders faced when competing on the extremely fast Isle of Man circuit with limited experience, gained solely from local competition, he explained. “They were further concerned at the high casualty rate of riders competing for the first time and felt that where possible wider experience in, say, European and English club meetings, would be desirable before participation in. an event which ranks as one of the fastest in the world,” Mr Laurenson said.

This year’s Isle of Man T.T. races will be held in June.