Motor-cycle title to Nichols

Press, 1 May 1978, Page 28

Motor-cycle title to Nichols

By

ROD DEW

Three unbeaten rides in the heats gave the Christchurch rider, John Nichols (Yamaha 250), a well deserved victory in the New Zealand 500 cu cm miniature T.T. motor-cycle championship at Oxford yesterday. It was his second national title win this season. Earlier this year he won the New Zealand open miniature T.T. championship. His closest challenger was another experienced Christchurch rider, Garry Norris (Suzuki), who scored two thirds and a second in the three eight-lap heats. Nichols did not have everything his own way. In the South Island 250 cii cm miniature T.T. championship, a faulty spark plug cost him a clean sweep. The title went instead to Rob Selby (Christchurch, Suzuki 250). Selby, who has been on the brink of success for several seasons, earned the title with a third, a second, and a win.

Nichols won the first heat in convincing fashion and a

former champion on the comeback trail, Ross Horsburgh (Christchurch, Yamaha 125), finished second. Selby was third.

This appeared to set the pattern for the championship. However, Horsburgh, who was also contesting the New Zealand 125 cu cm miniature T.T. championship, did not appear for the start of the second heat. Nichols took the lead and was well ahead when the spark plug of his two-stroke Yamaha fouled in the fourth lap.

The motor did not completely “die” and he was able to keep going at reduced pace. Selby was quickly through into the lead and held it to the finish. Chris Adamson (Christchurch), Suzuki) was second. Nichols finished in seventh place.

In the final heat, Nichols led from start to finish but Selby headed aff Horsburgh to gain the second place he needed for outright victory. Horsburgh won the 125" cu cm championship after a tense struggle with another

Christchurch rider, Chris Brady (Suzuki). Brady won the first heat in a close finish with Horsburgh. The pair completely out-distanced the third finisher, Brian Jacobs (Balclutha, Suzuki). The battle resumed in the second heat and again there was nothing between the two. But this time Horsburgh reached the line first.

For two laps in the final and deciding heat, Brady and Horsburgh were virtually side by side. Then Brady’s chain came off, leaving Hors-

burgh to carry on and win the race and the championship. Brady replaced his chain and resumed racing only to lose it twice more before the finish. He finally finished in tenth position and failed to add to his points score. This enabled Jacobs to snatch second place in the championship by a point.

In the 500 cu cm championship, Nichols made no mistake. He led each of the

three championship heats throughout in a display of brilliance which left his rivals far astern. Results (all riders from Christchurch unless otherwise stated): N.Z. 500 miniature T.T. championship.—First heat: J. Nichols, Yamaha 250, 1; B. Nesbitt (Lin-* coin). Husqvarna 250 . 2; G. Nor-’ ris. Suzuki 370. 3. Second heat: Nichols 1. Norris 2, W. Muckle (Ashburton), Yamaha, 3. Third heat: Nichols 1, Selby 2. Norris 3. Final points: Nichols 27. Norris 19, Selby 12, R. Cross (Alexandra) and Muckle equal 10. N.Z. 125 miniature T.T. chain-

pionship.—First heat: C. Brady, Suzuki, 1; R. Horsburgh, Yamaha, 2; B. Jacobs (Balclutha), Suzuki 3. Second heat: Horsburgh L Brady 2, R. Hampton, Yamaha, 3. Third heat: Horsburgh 1. Hampton 2. Jacobs 3. Final points: Horsburgh 25, Jacobs 17, Brady 16, Hampton 14. S.I. 250 miniature T.T. championship.—First heat: J. Nichols Yamaha 250, 1; R. Horsburgh Yamaha 125. 2; R. Selby, Suzuk’ 250. 3. Second heat: Selby 1, C Adamson, Suzuki 250, 2; B. Nesbitt, Husqvarna 250. 3. Third heat: -Nichols 1, Selby 2, Horsburgh 3. Final points: Selby 22 Nichols 20. Adamson 15, Hors burgh 13. Nesbitt 11.