Wylie wins on tough circuit

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33676, 28 October 1974, Page 10

Wylie wins on tough circuit

("Ike Press” Special Service) NAPIER. Suzuki's new 500 c.c. production racer ridden by D. Wylie (Christchurch) opened its New Zealand campaign with a convincing win at the Onekawa Grand Prix on Saturday. Wylie won by only five [seconds but this was remarkable riding through the twisting circuit around the (streets of Napier's industrial (area. He recently returned from racing in the United States [and is contracted to ride the [Suzuki, one of only three competing in the world, in this see.son's Marlboro series. Competition was tough. G. Molloy (Hamilton) was riding a newly imported 350 cc Harley Davidson. S. Dundon (Wellington) was on a 500 cc Suzuki, and M. de Lacy (Hamilton), T. Discombe (Cambridge) and J. Woodley (Wanganui) were all on 350 cc Yamahas. G. Boote (Christchurch) finished sev- i enth but he was riding a smaller 250 cc Yamaha. SPIN-OFF Woodley led through the[ fir.st few laps and Wylie was faced with a tough task; passing him on a circuit I where most of the corners; are only 50 yards apart. It; takes more than a calculated risk to gain extra places at; Onekawa. Several riders fell by the way, including Dundon, who had a spectacular spin-off on one corner.

' | After the third of the 1< laps Woodley relaxed h > pressure slightly to allow Wylie to slip through and ‘ take an unchallenged lead Woodies crossed the line " fourth. Discombe was second and MoHoy. uho said his . • ’ ine was yet to be properly race | tuned, tiurd Wvlie was easily winning the 5 350 to »00 < c e% ent lat< ■ i . daj u hen gei rbox iroubh 1 him out three laps before the finish. FIERCE CONTEST 3 The competition in the light - weight division, ior machines up - to 125 c.c.. was fierce. 2 The field of 26 circulated the s {nine-tenths of a mile course with de Lacy, this time riding a 125 • c.c. Yamaha, just holding off a challenge from R. Wlutmai di , (Hastings) on a 125 c c Hond ’ and A. Mitchell <Wellington', who was also on a 125 c.c Yamaha ? Points from this race will go » tou ards the annual »eri< s ducted by the Neu \ • Cycling Union ) Japanese machines dominated the placing's in every race, but they faced strong competition • from Molloy’s Harlex Davidson. ■ a 650 c.c. Benelli ridden by K ; Turner (Napier), who in 1971 ui as runner-up in the world 1 c.c. championship, and a large - number of veil prepared ; Triumphs and Nortons. » Results were:— ' Open Grand Prix—Wylie 1. Discombe 2. Molloy 3. Time; I 8:31. > Ultra light-weight Grand Prix, —de Lacy 1, Whitmarsh 2. Mitchell 3. Time: 7:40. I 125-250 c.c. Grand Prix.—de Lacy (Yamaha 250 c.c.' 1. Boote ((Yamaha 250 c.c.) 2, K. Wendt I (Yamaha 250 c.c.) 3. Time: 9:03. 250-350 c.c. Grand Prix.—D?,icombe (Yamaha 350 c.c.) 1, Wocdley (Yamaha 350 c.c.) 2. Mollov ' (Harley Davidson 350 c.c.) 3. ;;Time: 6:53. ' 350-500 c.c. Grand Prix —Dundon (Suzuki 500 c.c.) 1, K. Tin;ney (Wellington, Suzuki 400 c.c.) 2. D Ogden (Auckland. Yamaha 350 c.c.) 3. Time: 10:47. Side car Grand Prix —P. Corbett and S. Forbes (Blenheim. Suzuki 750 c.c.) 1. G. Skilton and D. Dibben (Pahiatua. Norton 750 c.c.) 2, J. Moller and M. Good all (Blenheim. Molluky 500 c.c Time: 7:-‘ii