MOTOR-CYCLE SPORT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 54, 7 March 1929, Page 13

MOTOR-CYCLE SPORT

DIRT-TRACK OPENING

Although motor-cycling on dirt tracks is well established as a sport in other countries, it is new to New Zealand. The capabilities of New Zealand motor-cyclists on the grass track, as well,as on the hills, are, however, well known; in fact, this century has some of ■ the world's best riders.' ■ An opportunity is iiow being afforded these riders to bring honours of the dirt track to New Zealand, and 1 iv order to provide'for''performance under the best conditions the Kilbirnie Stadium Speedway has been formed. This, according to the Australian dirt-track riders who arrived yesterday, is right up to requirements, so that there should be an excellent demonstration of the thrills of this new sport at the opening- of : the Stadium on Saturday night. Everything possible is being done to give dirt-track racing a successful start in Wellington. To meet the needs of the public the seating accommodation for 12,000 persons has been arranged around the area in a way which will give everybody a clear view of events on the track from all quarters o£ the. ground. The lighting of the track and ground is also being done on an elaborate scale.

The Australian riders, Gua Clifton and Max Graham, have many fine performances to their credit, and their appearance will, of course, be one of the main attractions. There are among the New Zealand riders, however, some who have also performed with distinction on Australia's dirt tracks, and others who promise to be every bit, as good" in the new branch of; the sport as they are on. the grass tracks. Their contests with the Australians are expected to be keen and exciting, while there should be thrills in plenty from the efforts of all riders in negotiating the bends. That is where the art of broadsiding comes in. For the Speedway Handicap of four" laps, in which the A grade riders will take part, the competitors and their handicaps aresClifton, Australia (scr), Graham, Australia (scr), Arnott, Manawatu (4sec), Allen, Wellington ~(6sec), Morgan, Wairarapa (16sec), Wilkinson, Wellington (16sec), Kilminster, Wellington (16sec), Ranby, Te Aroha (20sec), Tolley, Wellington (18 sec), Bray, North Auckland (12eeo), M'Kenzie, Wellington (18sec), and Spencer, Wellington (24sec). The A grade emergencies arc: 11' Ghee, Harvie, M'Kay, Bohm (Wellington), New (Taranaki), and Ross (Hawkes BayJ, all off 24sec. The four riders making fastest time will compete for the • Golden Helmet. Competition in the B grade will be for the Silver Gauntlet.