Motor-cycling

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32701, 2 September 1971, Page 10

Motor-cycling

Christchurch’s double world speedway champion, R. L. Moore, created an enviable record when he qualified for the 1971 world championship, to be held in Gothenberg, Sweden, on September 11. It marked the climax of 21 years of top-class competition for the popular New Zealander. During this period he has never failed to qualify for the world final when he has attempted to do so. Another Christchurch rider, I. Mauger, will be attempting to win a record four successive titles in the championship meeting and Moore is sure to be among his most respected opponents. Ss $ gt

The New Zealand championship trial will be held in Marlborough on September 4 and 5 and a number of Christchurch’s leading riders must be in with a chance. The man of the moment in the South Island at present is P. McDonald (Bultaco). He has been sweeping all before him and must have a grand chance of breaking the hold North Islanders have had on the title in recent years. Two South Island championships have been held this season, with different results. R. Rush (Triumph) was beaten by the brilliant Hutt Valiev

Commentary On Competition

schoolboy, C. Harris, by one point in the first. The second and more recent one went to M. McGibbon (Triumph) who came from behind on the second day to narrowly defeat McDonald. Other Christchurch riders certain to play a prominent part at Blenheim include the former chamipon, E. Norriss, who has fitted a 21 in front wheel to his 175 Yamaha, 14.I 4 . Archer, K. Hosking and B. Chambers. The rider to beat, however, will be Harris, who at one stage this season held both the North and South Island titles. His father, M. Harris, recently returned from a trip overseas, is the defending champion. The battle between father (for his eighth title) and son (for his first) will be one of the features of the trial. S « s;<

The possibility of New Zealand being officially represented in the Isle of Man T.T. next year will be considered at- the next meeting of the N.Z.A.C.U. executive in October. «s :3 >3

Rothmans have given 3600 in prize money to be won in the Rothmans road racing series this coming season. In each race, the winner will receive $25, the second man $2O, the third $l5 and the fourth

$lO. Prize money for the New Zealand championship events has not yet been settled.

The following events will carry New Zealand championship and Rothmans series points: New

Zealand senior and junior T.T., Auckland 250 c.c. provincial, Bay Park grand prix (500, 350 and 250), Round the Houses at Wanganui (500, 350 and 250), New Zealand light-weight T.T. at Wanganui, Onekawa grand prix at Napier (500, 350 and 250), Wellington grand prix (500, 350 and 250), Airfield championships at Wigram (500, 350 and 250), Timaru races (500, 350 and 250), Teretonga races (500, 350 and 250), New Zealand grand prix at Christchurch (500, 350 and 250). Best seven performances will count. Points: 8,6, 4. 2, 1. &

In spite of trends overseas, there will be no New Zealand championship for 750 c.c. machines in the approaching season. Moves to institute a new road championship for machines 501 c.c. or more failed at the recent annual conference of the N.Z.A.C.U. * » ♦

Mr W. G. Campbell, of Christchurch, has retained his position as South Island scrambles selector. One of the New Brighton club’s most conscientious and popular administrators, he chose the island team for the first time last season. Mr P. R. Coleman, of Wanganui, has also been returned as the North Island selector.