RECORDS BROKEN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 98, 20 January 1936, Page 5

RECORDS BROKEN

Cinder Track Racing at

Kilbirnie

VAN PRAAG’S SUCCESSES

Despite the heavy rain (luring the week the truck was in first-class order fur the cinder-track racing at the Kilbirnie Stadium on Saturday evening. The weather was perfect, and the events were keenly contested. About 5000 spectators were present. During tile night two records were broken and another equalled. In the second beat of the All Nations’ Handicap, D. van Praag (Australia)'went four laps from a push start in 82 seconds, beating the previous best time of 82 2-5 seconds credited to his fellow-countryniau, D. Case. In the teams’ racing later in the evening, he equalled the clutch start record of 81 seconds, also held jjy Case. C. Tonks, driving L. Southward’s midget special, covered four laps from a Hying start in 95 2-5 seconds, bettering his oivn record of 99 seconds. An added attraction was the return of midget car racing, two models of similar construction competing against each other. The car built by L. Southward and driven by the ex-speedway rider, C. Tonks, was a little superior to that built and driven by A. McMillan. There is not much of these cars, but they tore round the track in line style, and, when more used to the ground, McMillan should be capable of fully extending Tonks. It will be interesting to see how they fare against P. Mossman's American special next week. Australian’s Fine Form.

Fresh from his recent victories in Auckland and Christchurch, the star competitor was L. van Praag, who was in brilliant form. He won the All Nations’ Handicap from H. Mangham, and was top scorer in the'international teams’ races, with 10 points out of a possible 12. Altogether he contested seven races, and won six. The Australian’s only defeat was in the final event, when his machine momentarily failed him after he had a winning lead. Van Praag has performed ivith conspicuous success in the past at Kilbirnie, where he is a popular figure, but he has rarely been seen to better advantage than on Saturday night, when he gave a wonderful performance. S. Arena maintained his form, and was perhaps a little unfortunate in meeting van Praag at his best. The American rode Avith fine dash, and was just a shade faster than his other opponents. The Englishmen, Clibbe'rt and Greatrex, also rode well, but Kilmister did not seem to be up to his usual form. Trujillo was handicapped with a borrowed machine. In a special three-lap dash, 11. Tolley defeated T. Young after a Hue contest, while the same rider was also the victor in the consolation handicap. Tolley is improving every week, and in the near future, he should secure one of the major prizes. H. Mangham is also on the up grade. His was a fine effort in running second to van Prngg in the opening handicap. while he was somewhat unlucky in falling in the consolation handicap when in a position to cause Tolley some trouble. All Nations Handicap. (For sixteen selected riders. Four laps.) First heat: H. Tolley, s<*ec., 1; S. Arena (U.S.A.), 2. Time, 84 .1-5, Also started: B. Clihbcrt (Eng.), scr., and E. Naylor, Bsee. Tolley took the lead in the s-econd lap and just prevailed in a close finish from Arena, whose time, 82 2-5, equalled the push-start track record established by I). Case (Aust.) lust senson. Second heat: L. Van Praag (Aus.), scr., 1; M. Trujillo (U.S.A.), 2. Timo, 82. Also started: B. Appleyard, 7sec., and J. McLeod, lOsec. The two scratch men had no trouble in making up their handicap. Although Trujillo rode well ho was no match for the Australian, who won easily. By clipping 2-ssee. off Arena’s time in the previous race, Van Praag created a new track record for a .push start. Third heat: 11. Mangham, osee.. 1: AV. Kilmister, scr.. 2. Time, 87 3-5. Also started : . Young, Csec., and S. Hooper. 9sec. In a good finish Kilmister just failed to catch Mangham, who rode a fine race and gave a glimpse of his form Of past seasons. Fourth heat: S Greatrex (Eiiß.), scr., 1; S. Stone, Ssee. 2. Time. 85. Also started: P. Phillips, 2sec., and B Moulton, Ssee. Greatrex had the race won at the beginning of the fourth lap. He gave a grand display, making the cinders fly in fine style.

Firet semi-final: A’au Praag (Aus-.1, scr., 1; Trujillo (U.S.A.), scr., 2. Time,

82. Also started: Arena (U.S.A.), scr., and Tolley, ssee. Arena had machine trouble and tailed the field. Hiding at the top of his form Van Praag again returned fast time and won easily. Second semi-final: Jlangham, ssec., I; Greatrex (Eng.), scr., 2. Time, 88. Als-j started - Kilmister, set'., and Slone, Ssee. Mangham again rode well and held off Greatrex by 10 yards. Kilmister, slow away, could do no better than a close third. Filial: L. Yau Praag (Aus.), scr.. 1; 11. .Mangham, sse.-., 2. Time, 82 2->. Also started: M. Trujillo (U.S.A.), scr., and S. Greatrex (Eng.), scr. Four countries were represented in this final, but Australia jiroved too good. Although not a spectacular” rider, Van Praag _ handles his machine with great skill and it was a beautiful cut in to the inside that won him the race by five yards when Mangham looked a likely victor. Three Lap Dash. (Clutch start. T. Young versus 11. Tolley.) Tolley, 1. Time, 04 l-ssee. A line contest, both men being very evenly’ matched. With the advantage of the inside running, Young held his riyal off until the find bend, where Tolley, wide out. managed to get his wheel in front, and held it there in the dash to the judge. Teams’ Race. United States, England. Austral:;!, and New Zealand teams’ race. (Six races of 4 laps. Clutch starts.) Teams.—-U.S.A.: S. Arena (captain/ and M. Trujillo; England: B. Clibbert (captain) and S. Greatrex ; Aus.-N.Z.: W. Kilmister (captain) and L. van Praag. First Race.—England versus U.S.A.; Clibbert (Eng.), 1; Trujillo (U.S.A.), 2; Arena (U.S.A.), 3. Points: England, 3; U.S.A., 3. Time, 81 2-ssec. From a fine start, Clibbert flashed to the lead with Trujillo and Arena close in behind. The order remained the same to the finish with the Americans vainly striving to catch the flying Englishman. Clibbert won with the slight advantage he gained at the start, and gave a first-class display, as also did Trujillo and Arena. Greatrex was never in the hunt. An erratic motor seemed to be his trouble. Second Race. —England versus U.S.A.: Arena (U.S.A.), 1; Greatrex (Eng.)_. 2; Trujillo (U.S.A.), 3. Time, 83 l-ssec. Points: U.S.A., 7; England, 5. Clibbert on the inside took the lead when the barrier went up. and had a stirring tussle with /Arena, followed by Greatrex and Trujillo racing neck and neck. Arena seemed to be getting the upper hand, when Clibbert’s machine failed, leaving the American an easy victor. Greatrex just got there ahead of Trujillo. First Race. —U.S.A, versus Aus.-N.Z.) : L. van Praaag (Aus.-N.Z.), 1; AV. Kilmister (Aus.-N.Z.), 2; M. Trujillo (U.S.A.), 3. Time, 81sec. Points: Aus.N.Z., 5; U.5.A.,1.. Van Praag was not troubled and won by -10 yards. From number three position he showed wonderful acceleration at the start, and simply outclassed the field, and Arena had the better of Kilmister when his machine petered out at the end of the second lap. Trujillo made a valiant attempt to reach the Wellingtonian, but had to be content with the minor place. Van Praag's time equalled the clutch start track record held by his fellow countryman, D. Case. Second Race.—U.S.A, versus Aus.N.Z.: L. van Praag (Aus.-N.Z. 1,1; S. Arena (U.S.A.), 2; AV. Kilmister (Aus.N.Z.), 3. Time, 81 l-sscc. Points: Aus.N.Z., 9; U.S.A., 3. The outside running did not trouble van Praag, who slipped to the lead at the first bend and cleared away for what looked like being another easy win. Arena, however, turned everything on and set out to catch the “Flying Dutchman.” The crowd came to its feet as the American gradually drew level, and they raced for the final turn together. They went flat out, but possible victory was denied Arena when he went.into a bad slide coming into the straight* van Praag winning by five yards. Kilmister was a long way baek and third. First Race. —England versus AustraliaNew Zealand : A’nn Pruag (Aust.-N.Z.), 1 : Kilmister (Aust.-N.Z.). 2; Greatrex (Eng.), 3. 'rime, 82see. Points: Aust.N.Z.. 5: England. 1. From the outside position Van Praag again hit the front with marvellous acceleration, and was never headed. Kilmister and Clibbert had a great duel for second place until the Englishman fell in attempting to pass the New Zealander. Second Race. —England versus Aust.N.Z : Kilmister (Aust.-N.Z.), 1; Greatrex (Eng.). 2; Van Praag (Aust.-.N.Z.), 3. Time, S 3 2-ssec. Points: Aust.-N./j., 9; England, 3. Total points: Aust.-N.Z., IS: U.S.A., 10; England, 8. Van Praag just failed to score the possible points. He bad the race won >n the third lap when his machine momentarily failed. AVheu he got into motion again Kilmister and Greatrex’ were too far in front, Kilmister scoring a eomlortable win. Consolation Handicap. (For twelve selected riders. Four lapsjFirst, heat: 15. Moulton (Csec.), 1; E-

Naylor (2see.), 2. Time, 9Ssec. Also started. P. Phillips (scr.) and T. Young (3see.). Second heat: 11. Tolley (3sec.), 1; J. McLeod ("see.), 2. Time, 92sec. Also started: B. Appleyard (4sec.) and B. McMahon (9sec.). Third heat: 11. Mangham (3sec.), 1; S. Stone (Csec.), 2. Time, 91 l-ssec. Also started: A. Pratt (Ssee.), fell, and S. Hooper (Ssee.). Final: Tolley (3sec.), 1; McLeod ("see.), 2. Time, 92see. Also started: Mangham (3see.) and Moulton (Csec.). This event was a gift for Tolley, as all the other competitors fell at various stages. They all remounted, McLeod beating Mangham .home for second place nearly a lap behind the winner.

NEW ZEALAND RECORD

By Telegraph—Press. Association. Auckland, January 19. Riding at AVcstern Springs speedway, the Australian motor-cyclist. Dick Case, established a New Zealand mile record tor a quarter-mile cinder track by covering the distance in Imin. 13 4-ssec. He was attempting to break the world record of Imin. 12sec. established at AVentworth. Sydney, by van Praag in 1932. In a handicap race later in the evening Case established another New Zealand record by completing four laps in Imin. 18 1-5 see. from a standing start.