Commentary On Competition

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32677, 5 August 1971, Page 10

Commentary On Competition

New Zealand's most successful scrambler overseas, I. Miller, of Blenheim, might make a reappearance in his home country this Christmas. Along with the Scottish rider, J. Aird, and the Englishman, R. Owen, he has been invited to Australia for a nine-week racing tour. The trio will fly to Australia on August 18 and when the tour ends on

October 17 there is a strong possibility that Miller will return to New Zealand for a brief period. The men behind New Zea-

land’s languishing international moto-cross series could well attempt to pursuade all three to compete in the Dominion. This could prove a golden opportunity to revive the series. The Australian series will cover all states except the Northern Territories. The most important meeting will be the Australian championships in Adelaide, in September. This carries' an Australian record prize fund of $2OOO. For Miller, the invitation to race in Australia was most opportune. He was due to be expelled from England .in September under the country’s immigration laws. Miller, Who has been riding a Husqvarna, recently won the Bristol experts’ moto-cross with a fine show of skill. He won both legs, working his way up from seventh after a bad start in the second. Second place went to P. Jeremiah and third to Owen, who is well known for his exploits in the in-

ternational moto-cross series a few years ago. « 4s Ss The most ambitious production motor-cycle race to be held- in New Zealand is being planned by the Canterbury Auto Cycle Club for November. The event which will last four hours, will cater for classes up to 750 c.c. and an outright winner. It will be held at Ruapuna Park and pit stops for fuel will be compulsory. 4: 4s 4c The New Zealand 500 c.c. scramble championship will be held by the New Brighton Motor-cycle Club at Clarkville on October 10. This will be sponsored by Castrol and promises to be one of the biggest scramble events of the season. Riders from far afield, including A. Collison and P, Ploen, are expected to compete for the prize money which will be substantial. Some alterations will be made to the circuit at Clarkville before the event to provide a greater test for the riders. 4s 4s 4s The former world road racing champion S. M. B. Hailwood (Great Britain), is hoping to race again in the Mallery Park “Race of the Year” on September 19 if he can find a suitable machine.