DIRT TRACK THRILLS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 83, 2 January 1930, Page 6

DIRT TRACK THRILLS

C. SPINKS INJURED KILMISTER EQUALS RECORD Although the weather was threatening last night, and a couple of light showers fell during the racing, the Wellington Speedways Stadium at Kilbirnie was attended by about 9,000 spectators to see the motor-cycle races. The track was exceptionally fast, and the racing was the best yet seen on Ihe local dirt track. It was anticipated that the Kilbirnie Speedway Golden Helmet, carrying a first prize of £l5, and £5 a week as long us the rider holds the trophy, would provide a battle royal between the holder, W. Kilmister, the New Zealand champion, and C. Spinks, the eminent Australian. This event was started twice. On tlie first occasion Kilmister’s chain camo off his machine, and the race was stopped. The second attempt to run the race ended unfortunately for Spinks, who had obtained a lead of 30 yards when he suddenly developed a side slip in the back straight during the third lap, and crashed heavily. He was obviously considerably shaken, and when Dr. Clay examined Spinks, ho found that his left ankle was badly sprained. The race was thereupon called off. Following are the details of the races, each of which was distanced one mile (four laps) :—

KILBIRNIE SPEEDWAY NEW YEAR HANDICAP. Prizes £2O, £lO, £5, and £3. Heat money, £2 and £l.

First heat: V. Mangham (llsec.), 1; T. J. Firth (Ssec.), 2. Z W. Viggars (10 sop.), 3. L. Van Prang (Australia) also started, but lost a tire in tho first lap and had to stop. Mangham’s machine slowed in tho third lap but picked up again. Won by 50 yards, with 30 yards between second and third. Time, lmin. 43sec.

.Second heat; E. Naylor (sscc.), 1; C. Spinks (scr.), 2; J. Y’ourig (lOsec.), 3. Spinks rode a hard race, and was gaining rapidly on Naylor at the home turn. Won by five lengths, with 100 yards between second and third. Time, lmin. 33sce. Spinks’s time was lmin. 28 1-5 see.

Third Heat: A Blair (Osec.), 1; A. Mnnn (Australia) (scr.), 2; C. Tonks (lOsec), J. H. Mangham's machine stopped when he was looking certain for a place. C. Tonks’ machine also stopped in the last lap. Won by 35 yards, with the third rider half a lap away. Time, lmin. 39 3-ssee. Mann’s time was lmin. 32sec.

Fourth Heat: Kilmister (scr.), 1; o’ U see -)| 2; J. McKay (lOsec), 3. This was an easy win for Kilmister, who passed, the leading rider at tlie commencement of the third lap, and won by a quarter of a lap, with only two lengths separating second and third. Time, 29sec. Pratt’s time was lmin. 43 l-ssec.

First semi-final: V. Mangham (llsec.), 1; C. Spinks (scr.), 2; T. J. Firth (8 sec.), 3. E. Naylor’s motor refused- to start. Mangham set a lively pace from the start, and won by 100 yards, with 100 yards between second and third. Time, lmin. 37 sec. Spinks’s time was lmin 30sec.

Second semi-final: W. Kilmister (scr.), 1; A. Blair (9see.), 2; A, Pratt (Tsec.), 3. A. Mann (Australia) made a poor start, and Kilmister got 60 yards advantage in the first lap. Won by 70 yards, with 40 yards between second and third. Time, lmin. 26 3-ssec. Blair’s time was lmin. 38sec. Final: V. Manghan (llsec.), 1; W. Kilmister, scr.), 2; C. Spinks (scr.), 3. Blair also started. This was a desperate contest between Kilmister and Spinks. The latter, being on the inside, dashed ahead with Mangham a long way ahead. Tho positions remained unchanged until nearing the eolumeneement of the third lap, and got three lengths’ lead on Kilmister, when Kilmister flashed up the inside of Spinks, and got' two lengths’ lead on him. In the bend leading into the third lap Spinks was badly sprayed with cinders from Kilmister’s machine, and he lost about 40 yards. Mangham, however, riding splendidly, maintained his lead, and won by 90 yards, with about the same distance between second and third. Spinks nearly crashed in the third lap. Time, lmin. 38 3-ssec. Kilmister’s time was lmin. 30sec.

SECOND DIVISION SPECIAL SCRATCH RACE. Prizes. £lO, £5. Heats £l, £l/10/-, and £l.

First heat: C. Tonks, 1; W. Viggars, 2; J. Young, 3. Tills was a duel between Tonks and Viggars, the latter staving off Tonks’s attempts to pass him, lap after lap, until entering the finishing straight, where Tonks crept ahead, and won by a length, with Young 40 yards behind. Time, lmin. 36 2-ssec. Second heat: D. Phillips, 1; R. Appleyard, 2. J. McKay, when leading by about thirty yards in the second lap. crashed. Won by four lengths. Time, lmin. 42 4-5 see. Final: C. Tonks, 1; D. Phillips, 2. Phillips led for the first lap and a half, and then Tonks shot to the front. Won by two lengths. Time, lmin. 42sec.

KILBIRNIE SPEEDWAY GOLDEN HELMET. (Holder, W. Kilmister). One mile scratch, rolling start. Prizes: £l5 for winner and £5 per week; second. £S: starters, £3. First heat.—C. Spinks (Australia), 1;L. Van Praag (Australia). 2. Van Praag was riding a strange machine, liut lie made a splendid attempt to dash to the front at the start. Spinks, however, forestalled him and soon established a 40yds.’ lead. E. Naylor fell in I he first lap. Time, lmin. 27 l-ssee. Second heat.— (W. Kilmister), 1; A. Mann (Australia), 2. Mann got the inside running at'the start and piling on the pace, got 20yds ahead of Kilmister. In tlie last lap Mann swung wide at the first bend and Kilmister rushed tij the front, winning a thrilling race by 15 yds H. Mangham also started but in the third lap his chain snapped. Time, lmin. 24see. Final —After the first start C. Spinks (Australia) went to tlie front, and soon established a lead of four lengths, but in the second lap Kilmister’s chain came oft, and the raee was stopped by the 'l he race was started a second time, and Spinks again took the lead. Iu the first half lap he bad a lend of about 30 yards. The pace was terrific, but both riders rode faultlessly In the back straight during the third lap Spinks's machine developed a side-slip lie skidded about 20 feet and fell heavily with his machine ou top of

one of his legs. An examination showed that his left ankle was sprained, so the race was abandoned for the night.

ATTACK ON THE MILE BOLLING START N.Z. RECORD (record held by C. Spinks (Australia), lmin. 22 2-ssec). Prizes £lO, second fastest £5, starters £3. —L. Vau Praag covered the mile in lmin. 29 sec., but he nearly stopped at the last bend owing to his chain breaking. His intermediate laps were clocked in 20 3-5 sec., 20 l-ssec., 21 3-ssec., and 2G 3-ssec. Van Praag made a second attempt on the record, but after reeling off two laps in 42 seconds, his machine failed him, his chain snapping. A brilliant attempt was made by A. Mann (Australia), whose time was lmin. 24sec. The times for liis were 2lsec., 20 2-ssee., 21 l-ssec., and 21 2-ssec. E. Naylor's time was lmin. 30 2-ssce. His individual laps were 22sec., 23 2-sscc., 22 see. and 23scc. Naylor nearly fell in the third lap, and this lost him considerable pace. W. Kilmister gave a splendid exhibition of speed in his attempt, and covered the mile in lmin. 22 3-ssec., equal to tlie record held by C. Spinks. Kilmister’s laps were clocked at 20 3-ssee.. 20 2-ssec., 20 3-ssec.. and 21sec. W. Kilmister was awarded first prize, and A. Munn second. NAPIER MEETING OPENS RANEY'S MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP By Telegraph.—Press Association. Napier. January 1. The two-days’ meeting of the Napier Motor-cycle Racing Club opened to-day in fine weather. Results arc as follow:— Local Amateur Handicap (live laps).—N. H. Zemauck, 1; N. Etheridge, 2; A. Lee, 3. Meadows Handicap (six laps).—C. A. Wilkinson. 1; O. C. Lundius, 2; H. D. Ross. 3. Time, (lmin. 22 3-ssec. Taradalc Handicap (six laps).—Everett, 1; T. A. Fuller. 2; It. S. Penniall. 3. Time, Gulin, llsec. Motor Club’s Handicap (eight laps).—J. Etheridge, 1; D. K. Collinson. 2; S. Bolkcr, 3. Time, 9min. 22scc. Light-weight Scratch Race (seven laps). —C. A. Wilkinson. 1: T. Morgan. 2: D. K. Collinson, 3. Time, 7min. 21 2-ssec. NEW ZEALAND MIDDLE-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. Ten miles. Rolling start. R. Ranby (31 Harley) 1 A. Waters (34 Rudgc) 2 J. Grant (3J Ariel) 3 Won by a lap. Time, 9min. 47scc. Light Car Race (five laps).—Macdonald (Morris Minor), 1; M. D. Blake (Austin), "'President’s Handicap (ten laps).—P. Coleman, 1; K. Walters. 2; R. Paton, 3. Time, 9min. 59see. Hastings Handicap (seven laps).—M. J. Smith, 1; T. Morgan, 2; C. A. Wilkinson. 3. Napier Handicap (seven laps).—ll. P. Ahrens, 1; R. Paton, 2; R. S. Penniall, 3.