DIRT TRACK RACING

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 104, 27 January 1930, Page 19

DIRT TRACK RACING

SPINKS TRIUMPHANT PEARCE RIDES WELL A rather chilly northerly breeze on . Saturday night was not conducive to a large attendance at the Wellington Speedway’s" Stadium at Kilbirnie, but nevertheless, nearly 7000 spectators witnessed the motor-cycle races on the dirt track. U. Spinks, the speedy Australian, proved himself easily superior to all other riders, not excepting F. Pearce, the Australian crack, who established a world’s record for a mile in Australia, covering the distance in Imin. 14 1-Osec. Despite some sterling performances Pearce proved that he had not yet mastered the Kilbirnie track, while there is no one more at home on it now than Spinks. Spinks won the first heat of the Invitation Match liace against Pearce, in Imln. 20sec„ which is equal to his own New Zealand record. The second heat, which gave him final victory, was won by Spinks in Imin. 21 3-ssec. In the International Chevrolet Cup scratch event Spinks won his heat in Imin. 26 3-ssec„ and the final in Imin. 28sec., after easing up. He rode faultlessly throughout, and was cheered to the echo at the conclusion of each event.

F. Pearce (Australia) won his heat of the International Cup scratch in Imin. 23see., but was somewhat easily beaten by Spinks in the final. W. Kilmister, the New Zealand champion,- rode with less skill than customary, and through a bad side-slip was well beaten by Pearce in the second heat lof the Chevrolet Cup Race. In the first heat of the First Division Handicap Kilinister (scr.) found T. Wilkinson (ssec.) too speedy, and he could not finish closer to him than 15 yards. Kilmlster's time lit this event was only 2-5 of a second outside his own record for a standing start. In, the first semi-final of this 1-ace Kilmister skidded badly and crashed. He was unhurt and was able to remount, but the position was then hopeless. The final of the race was won by A. Phillips (usee.) after a fine ride, although Wilkinson was well to the fore when he crashed

at the last corner. 0. Tonks (6sec.) Was second. Not others finished. The Second Division Handicap was Won by W. Viggars (2sec.) somewhat Cosily from L. Bowker (3sec.). To select a rider to meet Miss Fay Taylour, world’s lady champion dirttrack rider, next Saturday night in a Series of match races, a race known as the Speedway Special Six Scratch was tun. This was won by P. McGhee in great style, with W. Harvie second and T. Wilkinson third. The last-mentioned fell, but remounted. V. Grove crashed in the second lap. The time was Imin. 27sec. . McGhee showed a marked improvement in bis riding.

A competotor, undoubtedly a first-class rider, who was listed as “The Mystery Rider,” was' disabled through a broken chain in his heat of the First Division Handicap, but was Only 35 yards behind Pearce at the finish of the Chevrolet Cup Race, and the watches showed Pearce’s time as Imin. 23sec. The unknown rider is understood to be an Australian.

The racing, on the whole, was of an exciting nature, and many events were finished amidst uproarious applause. There 'were a few heavy spills, but no rider received more than a pevere shaking. Following are the details: —- INVITATION MATCH RACE. . One mile, rolling star. (Best two out of three heats.) Prizes; First, £2O; seeottd, £lO.

First heat: C. Spinks (Australia), 1; F. I’eareo (Australia), 2. Pearce had the inside running for the start, and held a slight load lor the first half lap. . /Then Spinks dashed past him, and established a break of about SIX lengths. The pace Was terrific, and although Pearce strove desperately to reduce the gap Spinks romped hohle a winner by four lengths, amidst a roar of applause. Time, Imin. ZOSec. Spinks's laps were timed as follows: 20 sec., 19 4-SSUC., 20 l-ssee., and II) 4-sseC. Second heat: C. Spinks, 1; F. Pearce, -. Spinks had the Inside position from the start, and immediately llew to the front. He established a lead of half a dozetr lengths, and while striving to cutch him Pearce crashed at the CUtVe jUBt before entering the straight to Commence the fast lap. Spinks filiislied alone. Time. Iniln, 21 3-ssec. His Kmes for the_ individual laps were: 20sec., 20sec., 20 3-ssec„ 21see. Having won the first two heats, Spinks was awarded first prize for the race.

SPEEDWAY SPECIAL SIX SCRATCH. Rolling start. Prizes: First, £lo; second, £8; third, £O. Other starters, £2 eaeh. The winner is to meet Miss Fay Tavloui', world's champion i lady dirt track fidef. in a special three-distauco match race'next Saturday.

First heat: W. Harvie, 1; V. Grove. 2. It* Itauby also started, btit niS iuilcfilne gave trouble iii the second lap. Grove fell, Out remounted, and finished one and onethird laps behind the winner, 'lime, 1 iniii, 28sec< , .. * Sedoiid hfeat: P. McGhee, 1; 1. Wilkinson, 2, H. Lticchessi also started, bilt clashed when riding well, oil fehtetiilg the second lap. Wilkinson came down, at the IftSt bend when well behind the Winner. Wllklnsoii reinOttutefl. litid managed to hnish* • Time, lmin. > Pinal: P. McGhee, .1; W\ KafVle, 2;'E Wlikltison, u. V. Gfuye also started, but crashed in the second lap* AlcGltce, rid 4 ing brilliantly, soon had charge of the field, and although preseed in the last lap, went ahead and won by 25 yards front liarvie. Wilkinson came down in the third lap, but remounted. Time, lmin. 27sec. FIRST DIVISION HANDICAP. Prizes! First £2O, second £lO, third £5, fourth £3; heat prizes, first £2, second £l.

First befit: T. Wilkinson (sseC.), 1: W. Kllmister (acr,), 2; V. Grove (Osec,), 8, T. J. Firth also started. Wilkinson, rldiiig splendidly, SoOh took the lead and set a inerry pace. Kilnlister ride desperately to catch him, but COUill get only within 15 yards. Grove was a quarter of a lap away. Time. lmin. 30see, Kilinister's time was lmin. 2(Jkec., which is only two-fifths of a second outside his own record tor a standing start.

Second heat: 8. Perkins (Australia), (2 Bee.)', 1) C, Tonks ((Jsec.), 2. V, Mangham’s motor gave trouble in the second hip. R. Ratiby pulled out in the last lap. Tonka ■whipped up the pace.from a good start, and it Was duly attbe a long chase that Perkins caught him at the commencement of the last lap. Perkins then forged ahead, and won by 30 yards. Time, lmin. 30scc. Third heat: P. McGhee (Usee.), 1; W. liarvie (3sec.), 2. J. Young (Osec,), .rode a dashing race, blit, Unfortunately, crashed at the last curve when winning easily. “The Mystery Rider" stopped in the last lap owing to bls chain snapping. Won by a third of a lap. Time, lmin. 31 l-ssec. Fourth heat: A. Phillips (Dsee.), 1; 15, Naylor (3sec.), 1; 11. Liicchessl (Caee.); 3. T. Morgan (usee.) also started. The field kept fairly close together Until the last lap commenced, when Phillips made a brillliant run, getting through to the front and winning by 20 yards, with Lucchessl fifteen yards away from the second rider. This was. a great finish, Time, lmin. 35sCC. lirst semi-final: T, Wilkinson (ssec.), I; J" a'’ci Kllmister (scr.) find S. Icrkius (2Sec.) had to move quickly from the start, as tlio outmarkers were setting a furious pace. Perkins had to stoo at the end of the first lap owing to his chain coming off. Kllmister crashed In the first lap, but he remounted. As the Position was then hopOless ho pulled out. looks also came down, but, remountin'secured second place. Time, lmin. 32see Hccond semi-final: p. McGhee (ostc.f 1' A. Phillips (ssec.), 2; E. Naylor (3sec.) 3 W. liarvie qualified to start, but ills motor refused to function. McGhee made the most of his handicap, and, keeping the pressure on, led throughout, winning bv 3o yards, with 10 yards between second and third.

Final: A. Phillips (ssec.), 1; C. Tonks (bsec.), 2. Phillips s motor was slow to pick up at the start. T. 'Wilkinson put up a superb performance, dashing to the front at the finish of the first lap. lie was leading by 30 yards at the last curve, whefo he foil. Phillips came with a great run in the last lap, picking up 80 yards On Tonks, and heating him home by 40 yards. McGhee pulled out in the third lap when he was Well behind. Wilkinson lost a footrest (luring the race. Time, lmin. 32 2-ssec. Tonka's time was lmin. Suscc. SECOND DIVISION HANDICAP. Prizes: First, £10: .second, £5; third, £3. Heat prizes: First, £2; second, £l. First heat: L, Bowker (3sec.), 1; T. J. Firth (scr.), 2. J. Lawton fell in the first lap. A. Pratt came down in the second lap. but remounted.' Won by a quarter Of a lap. Time, lmin. 44sec. Second heat: W, Viggars (2sec.), 1‘ R. Appleyard (3sec.). 2, A. Blair’s motor rtd fused to start. H. R. Anderson crashed. Won by three-quarters of a lap. Time, lmin. 3<t 2-ssec. Finn!: W. Viggars (2sec.), 1; L, Bowker (3sec.), 2. R. Appleyard and P. J. Firth were unable to get going owing to motor

trouble. Viggars moved last from the outset, and taking the lead, Won easily by GO yards. Time, Imin. 3Ssec., INTERNATIONAL CHEVROLET CUP SCRATCH. One mile; rolling start. Prizes; First £25 and silver cup valued at 25 guineas, presented by General Motors, N.Z., Ltd.; second, £10; third, £0; other starters, £3 each. _First heat! C. Spinks (Australia), 1; K. Naylor (N.Z.), 2, S. Perkins (Australia) also started, but bad to pull out at the end of the second lap, owing to a puncture, Spinks flashed to the front at the outset and established a 15 yards break In the first lap. He won. easing lip, by 25 yards. Tiitid, Haiti. 20 3-Bsec. The times for his laps were: 20SCc., 2o 2-Ssee., 22sed., and 24 1-usec. Second heat: F. Pearce (Australia), 1; “The Mystefy Kidef” (Australia), 2; W. Kilpilster (N.Z.), 3. Pearce had the inside position, With KUtniSter in the middle. Pearce forged to the front dt thfc start ami led throughout. Kilmister experienced a bad. Side-slip In the secohd lap, and was unable to make up the resulting leeway. "The Mystery Rider” rode second throughout the race. Won by 35 yards with 6 yards between second and third. Time. Imin. 23sec. The second rider’s time was Imin. 25 3-usec. . Final: U. Spinks (Australia), 1; F. Pearce (Australia), 2. “The Mystery Rider” also started, but pulled out after going a lap, Pearce had the inside running, and Spinks was on the outside. Spinks cleverly beat the others to the first bend and put up a lead of 3W yards In the first lap. The pace was terrific, and Pearce was ,*radnally losing ground until the last half lap. when Spinks eased up for the final curve. Pearce then closed up. but Spinks had no trouble in stalling him off, and won by six lengths. Time, Imin. 23see. the times for Spinks’S laps were: 20seC M 2-ssee., 21see„ and 21 3-ssec, At the conclusiofi of the rrtce Spinks was presented with the Chevrolet Cup by Mr Me. H. Foreman, -who congratulated him on his lino performances.