BOOTE RETURNS

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33541, 23 May 1974, Page 24

BOOTE RETURNS

Title to be defended The New Zealand international road racer, J. Boote, has returned to Christchurch and will defend his “King of Ruapuna” title at Ruapuna Park on Sunday.

He has brought his fourcylinder TZ7SO Yamaha racer with him, and is looking forward to matching himself against the new national grand prix champion. S. Avant, who will ride a threecylinder 750 Suzuki for the first time. Boote, the winner of the Malaysian grand prix earlier this year, has returned to Christchurch to prepare for the Indonesian grand prix next month and a series of international meetings in Australia in July.

“I haven’t had a satisfactory race meeting for a while,” he said yesterday. “J am not riding like I should, and I want to get in some solid practice.” Boote, aged 19. crashed at Oran Park recently when the gearbox oil of his machine emptied on to his rear tyre. He was taken to hospital but discharged himself almost immediately. “I don’t remember a thing about it—l have lost about five hours. This doesn’t worry me at aft. In fact, it is probably the best thing that could have happened. Nothing was broken but I was pretty badly shaken up.”

He confirmed that he was interested in travelling to America in July, but said that it would only be for two meetings. Arrangements for the trip| were being made by the American international, R. Grant, who has raced regularly in New Zealand'in recent seasons.