Chch ‘wetbikers’ find going tough

Press, 11 September 1985, Page 27

Chch ‘wetbikers’ find going tough

NZPA staff correspondent London Physical fights amid highly charged racing were part of an eye-opening world “wetbikes” championship at the Isle of Man for two Christchurch men. Ken Chandler and Paul Smith, both aged 27, were astounded by the skills shown in choppy conditions on machines which give a mixture of motor-cycle riding, water ski-ing and boat racing. Chandler, a sales representative, was also amazed at the high tension as competitors fought for supremacy. Illegal tactics were used, and clashes occurred on the water, he told NZPA. One English rider was disqualified after a “physical confronta-

tion” with an official because of poor organisation on the first day. The dangerous nature of the sport was also brought home to the New Zealanders. Chandler sa’id Smith, an insurance assessor, had a “battle with a United Kingdom rider, who came off worse.” “It hit home to me how dangerous a sport it is," Chandler said. The New Zealanders scored a first in the four days of racing, winning a relay race in a field of four teams of 12 riders, including the United Kingdom, France and Norway. But they first had to produce a spectator’s video-tape film of the race, because an official had wrongly decided Chandler missed a buoy and should be disqualified. The New Zealanders were also third in a pillion race. Twenty-seven riders were at the Isle of Man and Smith, on a 65 horsepower bike, finished fourth overall on handicap from four days of racing. Chandler, riding an 85 horsepower machine, won a heat on the second day over seven laps of a half mile course. But an electrical fault on his machine ruined his final day, and he slipped to seventh place overall.