DIRT TRACK RACING

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 110, 3 February 1930, Page 13

DIRT TRACK RACING

PHILLIPS CAPTURES SILVER GAUNTLET MISS TAYLOUR BEATS McGHEE The attendance of fully 10,000 people at the Kilbirnie Speedway on Saturday night showed very clearly that dirt-track racing remains popular with the Wellington public. A most attractive programme was presented, one of the star events being a special match race between Miss Fay Taylour (England) and McGhee. Miss Taylour won the first distance, McGhee the second, and Miss laylour the final. • The heats of the Big Nine International Scratch Race were followed with great interest, and there was a good deal of excitement when the final, won by A. Mann (Australia) was being run. The events for the Kilbirnie Speedway Silver Gauntlet were keenly contested, the trophy being won from J. Young by A. Phillips. In each succeeding heat of this race the time was improved upon. The First Division Handicap started off badly, two riders falling and one pulling out in the first lap. Miss) Taylour, who rode in the second heat, appeared to have little chance of winning. Xhe final was won by C. Tonks. The competitors showed good form in some events, but were not so good in others. Practically every one appeared to have some difficulty in rounding the first corner at the north end, and it vas there that the spills took place. . The identity of “The Mystery Rider is still ..undisclosed. The following are the results BIG ' NINE INTERNATIONAL SCRATCH RACE. Rolling start. First £l5, second £7. First heat: A. Mann (Australia).!, H. Mangham (New Zealand), 2; E. Naylor (New Zealand), 3. Time, 83sec. Mann got away well and led throughout the race Mangham was some distance behind, 'and Naylor appeared to lose ground nt every lapSecond heat: D. Van Praag (Australia) 1; W. Harvie (New Zealand), 2: “The Mystery Rider,” 3. Time, 85 l-o sec. Van Praag had the lead throughout. At' one stage Harvie nearly fell, but picked up Rgain. lhe Mystery Rider*’ was well behind all the time. Third heat: T. Wilkinson (New Zealand). 1. Time. S 5 4-ssec. The other two starters, W. Kilmister (New Zealand) and L. Lawrence (Australia), both pulled out nt the end of the first lap after a good start. Final: A. Mann, 1; L. van Brane 2; T. Wilkinson. 3. Time. S 3 2-sncc. This wns a particularly goofl race. Mann maintainnd his load throughout the four laps, van Praag struggling hard to catch up. At one stage he was almost successful, but soon dropped hack. SPECIAL MATCH RACE. Ist, £l5; 2nd, £5. Rolling start. First heat: Miss Fay Taylour (England), 1; B. McGhee (New Zealand), 2. Time, 88 3-ssce. Both riders had a good start, and Miss Taylour was not long in taking the lead, which she increased at every Inp. She finished between 30 and 40 yards ahead of McGhee. Second distance: McGhee, 1; Miss Taylour, 2. Time, 89 3-ssec. There was an excellent start. McGhee soon captured the lead and increased the distance throughout the first three laps, after which Miss Taylour made a bold but unsuccessful effort to catch up. Final-: Miss Taylour, 1; McGhee, 2. Time, 87soc. Miss Taylour nearly came oft her machine In the third lap, McGhee taking the opportunity to forge ahead. However, Miss Taylour maintained her lead to the end. There was not a great distance between the two cycles. KILBIRNIE SPEEDWAY SILVER GAUNTLET. First £8 and £2 a week, second £4. Rolling start. First heat: C. Tonks, 1; R. Ranby, 2. Time, STsec. At the end of the first lap Tonks was leading, with Ranby second, • and Mangham third. Mangham pulled out at the beginning of the second lap. Tonks retained his lead throughout and won by about seven yards. ■ 'Second heat: A. Phillips, 1; A. Blair. 2; IL Lucchessi, 3. Time, 85 l-.>sec. Phillips had the lead right from the start, Lucchessi being second and Llair la B -- Lucchessi fell at the beginning of the third lap. Blair finishing second. Third heat: T. Morgan, 1; V. Viggars, 2; J. Young (holder), 3. Time, 87sec. Morgan led nil the way, and won easilyYoung pulled out at the beginning of the th FhmH P A. Phillips. 1; C. Tonks, 2; T. Morgan. 8. Time, SO 3-usec. Mo[K a " in the first lap, but remounted, onb to fall again later. However lie started once more. Phillips led fill the time. FIRST DIVISION HANDICAP. First £2O, second £lO. Points gained by placed riders in this event count for the Clark- . Morris Challenge Cup. First heat: A. Mann, Australia (scr.), 1; T. Wilkinson (3sec.), 2. In tho first lap Lawrence pulled out, and H. Lucchessi anti Wilkinson crashed. Wilkinson remounted and was awarded second place. Second heat: R. Ranby (ssec.), 1; C. Tonks (ssec.), 2; E. Naylor (3soc.), 3; Miss Fay Taylour (ioc.), 4. Time, 90 3-osec. There was no change in positions from the start to finish In this heat. -Third heat: W. Harvie (3sec.), 1; H. Mangham (Isec.), 2; L. van Praag (scr ), 3; P. McGhee |4sec.L 4. Time. 90 3-usec. At the end of the first lap McGhee was leading, with Harvie second, Mangham third, and van Praag last. Positions were the same at the end of the second lap, but in the third lap Harvie leaped ahead, McGhee being second, van Praag third, and Mangham last. Hnrvle maintained his load in the last lap. but by the time the flag was passed Mangham had secured second Place. Van Praag was third and McGhee last. Fourth heat: A. Phillips (3sec.), 1: WKilmister (scr.l. 2; tho “Mystery Rider (2sec.). 3: .T. Young (ssec.), 4. Time, 91 sec. Phillips led during the whole of the race, which was quite the most exciting one on the programme. At the end of the first lap Phillips and Young were almost, neck and neck, Kilmister being third and the “Mystery Rider” fourth. At the end of the second lap the order was Phillips Kilmister, the “Mystery Rider.” and Young • pulled out In tho third lap. Kilmister skidded in the third lap and went back i to third place, but finished up second. First semi-final: Ranby, 1; Tonks. Wilkinson. 3; Minn, 4. Time, 93sec. Tonks | was leading at the end of the first lap.