SPEEDWAY Australia-N.Z. test series may be held

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 42

SPEEDWAY Australia-N.Z. test series may be held

There was a “good chance” of a home-and-away motorcycle test series taking place between Australia and New Zealand in the coming season, Mr A. Nesbitt, who was returned as president of the Christchurch Speedway Association this week, said yesterday.

The idea was to hold the same number of test matches in each country, he said.

“The way some of the Australians are riding now, we would be hard pressed to win such a series,” said Mr Nesbitt, who has been a first division rider at Templeton for many years. “They would be particularly strong on their home tracks.”

Australia recently defeated New Zealand by a narrow margin in a test in England after the former four times world champion, B. Briggs, of Christchurch, had crashed and injured his spine. Mr Nesbitt, who took over the presidency of the Christchurch association towards the end of last season, hopes to deal directly with Australian officials in arranging visits by top competitors. Previously, most arrangements were made through the promoter at Auckland’s Western Springs. Any top

racers invited will, however, still be offered to Western Springs. “We have to work together,” Mr Nesbitt said. Negotiations are already under way in Australia for yet another tour by the British “Lions” speedway team. It did not visit New Zealand last season, but arrangements are being made for it to do so this summer. SOLO CLASS

Mr Nesbitt envisages a problem over the number of competitors wishing to race in the motor-cycle solo class. “It is embarrassing the number who want to ride. We simply cannot fit any more solo races into the Saturday night programme.” Riders in future might have to achieve a certain standard before being allowed to take part in the programme. A new speedway would be opened at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s grounds in Dunedin’s Tahuna Park this season, and this

might relieve some of the pressure, Mr Nesbitt said. It was planned to hold the meetings on Sunday afternoons so that Christchurch riders would be able to race. The Christchurch association made a working profit of $7BOO from a total income of $71,500 last season. During the season, the value of its assets rose from $20,000 to $32,400. COUNCIL GRANT

A grant of $4500 has now been received from the Paparua County Council. A further interest-free loan of $4500 has also been given by the council. The money will be used to provide toilet facilities for the public.

Officers elected at the annual meeting were:—

President, Mr Nesbitt; secretary, Mrs H. Phillips; vice-presi-dents, Messrs S. Burt and J. McKitterick; committee, Messrs E. Hood. R. Mead, L. Millar (midget car representative), A. Palmer (three-quarter midget representative), L. Dwight jun. (sidecar representative), G. Jemmett (solo representative).