THE DIRT TRACK

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 14

THE DIRT TRACK

NOTED RIDERS TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND.

Mr. T. Coltman, one of the directors of the Kilbirnie Stadium, returned from a visit to Australia by the Marama yesterday. ■ He informed a “Dominion” reporter that while in the Commonwealth, he had got into touch with a number of the most prominent dirt-track riders, and had been successful in engaging several to compete on the Kilbirnie track during the coming season. For the opening, in November, Mr. Coltman engaged Jimmy Datson, an Australian rider who has won many big events in various States, and also “Cyclone” Murdoch, who has the reputation of being one of the most daring dirt track riders. Later another leading rider, Van Pragg, will come to New Zealand, and it is hoped that arrangements will be made to secure Frank Arthur, a crack Australian, who is at present in England. Arthur’s best time for the mile is 74 2-5 seconds, on a quarter-mile track. Max Grosskreutz, who is also in England at present, is also likely to visit New Zealand during the season, and tentative arrangements have been made, for other prominent riders to appear at the Kilbirnie Stadium. Mr. Coltman explained that he had visited the principal tracks in Sydney, Newcastle , and Brisbane, and he was satisfied that the Kilbirnie course was as good as any in Australia, especially as far as accommodation for the public was concerned. The best track he saw was at Brisbane. It is saucer-shaped, and has a granite dust surface instead of cinders, as at Kilbirnie J and has a very firm foundation, enabling higher speeds to be attained. The prize-money offered in Australia is about the same as in Wellington, except at the annual inter-State carnival, when the stakes are doubled.