SPEEDWAY THRILLS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 79, 27 December 1929, Page 13

SPEEDWAY THRILLS

PRELIMINARY HEATS KEEN CONTESTS V. RINALDI SERIOUSLY INJURED Notwithstanding a strong and cold north-westerly wind and threatening sky over 13,000 spectators were present at the Wellington Speedway at Kilbirnie last evening to witness the motor-cycle racing on tlie dirt track. Despite the stiff breeze some fast times were put up, and ttlie racing throughout was thrilling. There were a number of 'severe falls, but the only rider who was seriously injured was V. Rinaldi. He struck the fence and cannoning off it crashed heavily on his head and shoulders, and the following rider, unable to avoid him as he lay on the track, struck his face with his machine. The Free Ambulance rushed Rinaldi in an unconscious condition to the hospital, where bis injuries were found to be serious. Six heats of the Kilbirnie Speedway Christmas Handicap were run off, and tlie semi-finals and final will be run tomorrow evening. The Big Six Points Scratch Race, for the six fastest riders competing at the carnival, was responsible for some exciting contests. The race, which is run in heats, will be concluded to-morrow evening. IV. Kilmister (N.Z.) crashed in the first heat through A. Mann (Australia) cutting in on him. Mann was disqualified for that event, which was then re-run. Kilmister had an easy win. over H. Mangham, whose machine gave trouble. In the second heal, C. Spinks (Australia) had a comfortable win over L. Van Praag (Australia). To-morrow evening Spinks, Mann and Mangham will meet in one heat, and Kilmister. Van Praag and Naylor in the other heat. The Second Division Handicap was won by H. R. Anderson, with I). Phillips second and W. J. Glover third. Each event was over a distance of one mile. Following are the details of the racing:— KILBIRNIE SPEEDWAY CHRISTMAS HANDICAP. —Prizes £3O. £lO, £lO and £4. First and second in heats and semi-finals receive £1 and 10/-. For best 24 riders in carnival. First heat: R. Ranby (7sec.), 1; J. W. Richards (Usee.), 2. .7. Lawton fell in the first lap. Van Prang (Australia) crashed in the third lap. Time, lnun 33 3-0 sec. Won by a third of a lap. Second heat. —E. Naylor (osee.), 1, H. Mangham (scr.), 2. A. G. Watt fell, but remounted. Mangham s machine did not function properly. Mon by half a lap. Time: Imin. 33 2-ssecs. Third heat.—A. Pratt (7see.), 1; W. Kilmister (scr.), 2.. D. Phillips was second in the last lap when he tell. J. Young pulled out. Kilmister, when winuing easily, had tlie ill-luck to have his motor almost stop in the last half-lap. Won by 30 yards. Time: lmin. 42 2-o secs. Fourth heat.—C. Spinks (Australia), (scr), 1; L. Rinaldi (llsec.), 2. Rinaldi fell but remounted. E. Barrett turned a . complete somersault, and Spinks, grazing him, nearly fell but made a sensational recovery. Won by haif a lap. Time : lmin. 36 2-osecs. Fifth heat: W. Viggars (llsec.), 1; A. Mann (Australia) (2sec.), 2; J. McKay fell, but remounted. Won by 50 yards. Timo, lmin. llsec. Sixth heat; V. Rinaldi crashed into the fence just before the start of the last lap and was picked up unconscious. The race resulted: T. J. Firth (Osec.), 1; H. Lucchessi (Bsec.), 2. C. Tonks fell. Won by two lengths. Time, lmin. 44sec. First semi-final: H. R. Anderson (7 see.), 1; R. Appleyard (7sec.), 2. 11. W. Cox’s machine refused to start. .7. W. Richards fell. -Won by a quarter of a lap. Time, 49sec. Second semi-final: D. Phillips (3_sec.), 1; IV. T. Glover (6sec.), 2. Young crashed badly in the last lap when looking safe for a place. A. Phillips ielL Won by half a lap. Time, lmin. 46 2-o

SECOND DIVISION HANDICAF.— Prizes £B, £5, £3 and £l. First and second in heats and semi-final receive £1 and 10/- respectively if not placed first or second in final. First heat: R. Appleyard (7sec.), 1; 11. W. Carr (4see.), 2. W. Pearson also started, but his machine would not function properly and he eventually stopped. Tlie two placed riders also had trouble witii their motors. Won by half a lap. Time, lmin. 58sec. Second heat: J. W. Richards (4sec.), 1; H. R. Anderson (7sec.), 2. Mon by 60 yards. Time, lmin. 44 2-ssec. Third heat: J. Young (2sec.), 1; A. Phillips (Gsec.), 2. C. Tonks tell. Phillips fell at. the last corner, but remounted. Time, lmin. 42 3-ssec. Fourth heat: D. Phillips (35ec.),.1; W. J. Glover (Gsec.), 2. A. C. Rait and Glover experienced motor troubles, lune, lmin. 50sec. ■. i . n Final - 11. R. Anderson (isec.), 1, DPhillips (3sec.), 2; W. T. Glover (Gsec.), 3. R. zYppleyard fell in the first lap. Won, after a good race, by 20 yards, with a third of a lap between second and third. Time. lmin. 47 2-ssec , P,IG SIX POINTS SCRATCH RACE. Prizes. £3O, £2O and £lO. Heats. £5. £3, and £2. For the six fastest riders competing at the carnival. First heat: This event was slopped shortly after the start, as Arthur Mann (Australia) ent across W. Kilmister, who crashed. Mann was thereupon disqualified. A second start was made, but 11. Mangham’s machine stalled, leaving Kilmister to ride alone. Manghnin’s machine eventually picked up and lie finished second. Time, lmin. 25sec. (Tins scries of events will be concluded to-morrow evening.) . , Second heat: C. Spinks (Australia). 1 ; L. Van Prang (Australia), 2; E. Naylor

(New Zealand), 3. Won by 60 yards, with Naylor a quarter of a lap behind Van Prang. Time, lmin. 25sec. (Io be concluded to-morrow evening.) RECORD-BREAKING ATTEMPT. Arthur Mann (Australia) essayed to break the frack quarter-mile rolling-start record of 20 3-ssec. held by IV. Kilmister (New Zealand). Mann rode faultlessly, but he could not get the distance tn less than 21 see. t , , The Silver Gauntlet will bo contested to-morrow evening, when A. Pratt will meet E. Naylor (the holder).