KILBIRNIE SPEEDWAY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 5

KILBIRNIE SPEEDWAY

Opening on Saturday ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME The opening of the speedway season at the Kilbirnie Stadium on Saturday night is being eagerly looked forward to. A feature of the programme will be the introduction of tlie latest American sport, midget-car racing, which will be seen for the first time in the Dominion. The trial of a local-built car, produced under the capable hands of Clarrie Tonks, the Wellington speedway star, treated the spectators to spectacular broadsiding. The dimensions of the car are 6ft. wheel base, with a 3ft. Sin. track, and the wheels are 12in. in diameter. The car is powered by a 10-12 Harley-David-son racing engine and gearbox. A chain-drive is employed to the front wheel. Ou Saturday ujglit this car will be seen in a record attempt and a match race with a local’sports model. Prominent on the programme will be the two Australian international dirttrack riders, Lionel ' r an Praag and Dick Case, who have represented their country in English-Australian Test matches for the past three years. At the tests which were held recently in Australia Van Praag and Case proved to be outstanding scorers, and sensational performances are expected on Saturday night, when these two champions will be matched against the New Zealand star, All. Matson, whose past reputation on the cinder track is well known throughout the Dominion. Local speedsters will be seen in a big teams championship, the chosen combinations for the opening meeting being Newtown, captained by the popular rider, Clarrie Tonks, and City, witli Peter Phillips at their head. The midget cars will appear in a record attempt and a short limit handicap. A spectacular event will be a grand parade, headed by the Wellington Regimental Band in their scarlet full-dress uniforms. Arrangements have been made for a special tram service, and there will be popular admission charges of 1/-, 1/6 and 2/-. A keen demand is already evident for reserved seats, and intending patrons are advised to make their reservations as early as possible. Seats can be obtained at the D.I.C. or C. E. Claridge. tobacconist, 69 Manners Street.