Commentary On Competition

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32251, 20 March 1970, Page 12

Commentary On Competition

New Zealand’s leading rider in the 500 c.c. road racing class this season, D. Wylie, of Christchurch, is well on the road to recovery from the back injury he received in a crash in the production race at the recent Wellington grand prix meeting. He has not yet discarded thoughts of contesting the New Zealand grand prix at Ruapuna Park on Sunday, March 29, and hopes to be out of hospital at the end of this week.

Wylie was chasing the Hamilton rider, T. Discombe, who was riding a race kitted Triumph, when he crashed his standard 500 c.c. Suzuki, chipping a bone in his back. It was a bitter blow to the 20-year-old Christchurch rider for he was unable to contest the main grand prix event on the Harris G5O. Wylie needed to win this race and the New Zealand senior grand prix to finish first equal with the English - born American rider, R. Grant, in the 500 c.c. class of the New Zealand Rothmans series.

However, as soon as he realised he would be unable to race again at Wellington he offered Discombe a loan of his Harris G5O for the main race. Discombe, who had travelled to Wellington specifically for the production event, accepted the offer and won the race. * * *

Wylie has confirmed his entry for the New Zealand Grand Prix on Easter Sunday, but there must still

be some doubt whether he will be able to start. If he is unable to take his place in the grid there is a strong possibility that one of Christchurch’s leading riders of by-gone times, R. J. Harris, will turn out instead. Harris shares the ownership of the Harris G5O with Wylie and feels that it would be a pity for the machine to be under covers for the main event of the road racing season. His entry for the New Zealand grand prix was received by the Canterbury Auto Cycle Club late last week. It is four years since Harris last raced. He went out on a high note, winning the production-type race at the 1966 grand prix meeting at Ruapuna on a B.S.A. “I want to go out to Ruapuna one day when nobody is about and see if I can still be competitive,” . Harris said this week. “If I can get down to a reasonable time I will race in the grand prix, provided Dale is not available. If I can’t, the bike will just stay at home.” Harris has set himself a lap time target of 54sec. * * *

The British and European trials champion, S. H. Miller, will be running a motor-cycle trials school in Wellington on Saturday, June 27, and will take part in an observed section trial the following day. Unfortunately, it seems likely that Miller’s visit to New Zealand will be confined to Wellington. The trials school will be limited to 40 riders, but all riders are welcome for the

observed section trial. The sections for this will be personally laid out by Miller, who will also brief observers and marshals.

Entries close on June 1 with Mr D. Rolfe, 7 Mana Avenue, Titahi Bay, .Wellington. Miller’s visit is being sponsored by the Spanish Bultaco factory