ON THE DIRT TRACK

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 74, 1 April 1929, Page 6

ON THE DIRT TRACK

LADY RIDER COMPETES

CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED

BECOIID BROKEX

The first uppearunce in Xew Zoulatid ' o: a lady motor-cyclist in competition will) men on the dirt track attracted a crowd of fully thirteen thousand people to the Kilbirnic Stadium Speedway on Saturday night. There was also the attraction of seeing the Australian riders, 11. Graham and G. Clifton, us well as the leading iSTuw Zealand dirt track riders. The lady competitor was Miss Fay Taylour, who won fume on English, tracks last season mid who has lately been competing with distinction in Australia. Prior to the start of the racing Miss Taylour rode round the truck, aud was accorded an, enthusiastic reception.:; _She.subsequentiy.appeared in the third heat of the Great Autumn Handicap as the virtual scratch competitor, and for her first appearance in a race on the track she gave an impressive display, taking .second place to D. JMnnugli and qualifying for the semi-final. Attired in the complete kit of male cyclists, Miss Taylour showed great daring find ,'ibility by the manner in which she "took" the. wide bends. In the semifinal, however, . the visitor lost some ground at the start, but subsequently, made it-up in a.stirring-performance over two laps. Managh was again,a. strong op-, ponent, and could libt. be overtaken., his improved riding being one of the'features of the evening's sport. Miss Taylour engaged in a thrilling finish with the other two competitors in this semi-final, but in a fast finishing effort she was just beaten out of a place, although registcriiiK fastest time for tho semi-final. KILMISTER WINS. The most thrilling performances in the Great Autumn Handicap- :hcats -ami semifinals were those of M. Graham and W. Kilmister, who wod in brilliant manner at each start. If. was ill the final that these competitors had a duel which roused the enthusiasm of the spectators to a great pitch, Kilmister staving off. challenge after challenge ■ and winning: brilliantly from the Australian, with .Managh a close third. Later in the evening' Managh scored.; a meritorious win -in ; :th6 New Zealand dirt track championship' 1 of four laps, and won the gold medal presented by Mr. W. Ingle; The medal was handed to Managh by Miss Taylour. Ju the championship event some of the leading New Zealand dirt track exponents, J. Arnott, W. Allen, and W. Kilmister, had machine trouble,,and were tinabe to qualify for the-final. The bad luck which has attended Arnott at previous meetings still stuck to him... The Kilbirnie Handicap for the C grade competitors was won by W. Viggtii's, witli.lt. Suvcich second. Both these riders were on tho scratch mark. . ATTACKS ON RECORD. During the meeting ' several attempts were made to lower the record of hum 33 4-sscc for four laps put up by M. Graham (Australia). These, of course, were from a rolling start. Miss Fay iaylour was the first to set off in search ot new ligures, and was going well when the oil pump of her machine worked loose before a lap was covered. She set off again, and gave a fine glimpse of her ability in sluttin" the cinders. The first lap was covered j in 22 3-ssec, but the second lap was slower j —24 1-Ssec. It was apparent thai the maohino was not doing its best, and Miss Taylour gave up nftet covering three laps in lmin Msec, She was-keen to make another attempt, being confident ot giving a performance more in line with her best in other countries, but this waa left until her match race to-night with Managh. At the conclusion of her attempts on the record Miss Taylour was presented with a bouquet by Miss Olive Booth, who was at. college with her. G.'Clifto (Australia).also Inndr; nu attack on Graham's record, but after covering one lap in 24scc and two Jn 'IS 4-d ace ho pulled up, his machine not running as well as expected. At the conclusion of the evening's racing Clifton made another attempt to lower the record, this time making use of Graham's machine. His display on this occasion was particularly good—the best, in fact,-that has beeii given in New Zealand. The result was that ho made n fitting climax to the thrills of the evening by reducing the record time for four laps by 2 3-ssec. His times for the laps were: —

Kirst ' -<!2 2-ssee. Hccond 23sec Third 232-ssec. Kourth .; 22 4-SSCC. .full distance .... lmin 31 1-flsce. Another outstanding time performance was that of M. Graham in the Great Autumn somi-linals. From a push off he covered the four laps in lmin 34sec, which was only l-jsec outside his record time for tho distance from a rolling start. ■There, were quite a number of spills during the evening, hut only very miiior injuries wore suffered' by a 'couple of competitors. 'The meeting was well controlled. RESULTS IN DETAIL. The results of tho races on Saturday night wcro as follow: — GREAT AUTUMN HANDICAP. Four lapa, A and 1! graclo riders. Kirsl heat: (Jus Clifton, Australia (Douglas), scr, 1. Also started: Tul Morgan. After twu laps Morgan, who was riding well, had 1 to give up on account: of machine 1 trouble. 1 .Clifton gave ii good display in covering uic"journey in lmin -llsce. , .-. • .-,.-- - . ■ Second heat: Max Grtihain, Australia (Norton), scr, 1; I": M'Ghee (Harley), ilsec, 2; J3. Naylor (Douglas), lOsoc, v. Also started: 1,, ltiualdl (Douglas), Ilsec. With the exception of Kinaldi, the competitors moved ott wall, Naylor showing the way. Graham gradually improved his position, and as lie did so the race became exciting. In the. second lap lie passed M'Ghee', and then tool; the lead 'In the third lap, M'Ghee going ahead of Naylor. A great finishing effort by Graham enabled him to win a fine race by SO yards. He gave an excellent display. The actual times wcro:-Graham, lrnln 3(1 3-ssec; 'M'Gheo lmln '3:1; 2-risoc, Baylor lmln .54 2-osec. • . • . ■ Third heat:-D. Managh (New Hudson), dsec. 1; Jllss Fay Taylour, England (Douglas), <lHec, 2. ■ Also started: A. C. Watt (Douglas), lOsec, i W. 11. Harvle (Douglas). lOsec. Before the ! start Miss Taylour was permitted to havo ai preliminary ride, covering two laps. Harvie was slow to move, but the others got away well, aud Hicro was somo fine riding round the second iieml. Excitement was aroused as Miss Tuylour passed Watt In the second lap, and then set alter Managli, who had" taken the : lead. Tlio lady rider was doing well, but Managh .-.proved to be too solid a proposition, and,in. the last lap lie drew away, aud won by 5(1 yards from Miss Taylour. Tho others did not complete tlie course. Both the placed competitors received an ovation. Tlio limes wore: Mimugli, lmln •14 4-iiHOc; Miss Taylour, lmin 4>lseu. Fourth heat: A. \V. Hunger (Clutter Lea), H sec, 1; V. fcipencer (Norton). 12sec, 2; 11. V. Uoss (.1.A.1'.), Msec, 3. Also started: J. Aruolt (Harloy), 3scc. Hoss was slow to begin, and Arnott was unable to get going. There was a good cuntest between Hunger and Spencer, the former winning by 40 .yards. Tim limes were: Hunger. Iniln 54 l-sscc; Spencer, 1 niln 59 2-fisec; Itons,'■!!min' Tl-'isec. ■ .

I'ifth licit. J. \V.:Biirtv:(l)pui,'las),".i2scc, 1; ){. M'Krnzin (A..1.5.), Msec, 2..-Also started: .1. Lawton (llarlcy). JOsci:;, \V. Allen (.Norton), Ssec .lust after starting M'Keuzic fell, and Lawton also came down. Hoth remounted, but liawton had another mishap. Allen took the k-ail from Jlurt after a lap, and looked a winner, whoii lie crashed. J!y this time Jl'Kcnzic had recovered much lust, ground, and -made a stirring raco of it with Burt, who won by six leugfhs. The times wore: Hurt, i'min t 2-osec; M'Konzlc, I!mln 1 H-Osct:. Sixth tout: W. Kilmister (Douglas), (iscu, 1; V. Grovo (A.J.S.). J:iscc, 2. Also started: V. Kaiiiildi (Douglas), llisce. Kilmister did not p:ct a good start, and liar! the task of making up Ihrec-irnarters of a lap' on Grove. Klnaldi dropped outs Groat riding by Kllinistel made the spectators enthusiastic, and they wcro thrilled when he made somo fine recoveries from skids at the bends. ISxclteincnt ran high as Ikllmlster new past Grove at the las- Ireiul, and went on to win by twenty lengths. Kilmlster's performance was loudly cheered. The times were: Kilmister, lmin Msec; Grove. 1 mill ti-1 4-ssee.

First semi-final: M. Graham, Australia (Norton), scr, 1; P. M'Glieo (Unrlcy). Usee, 2 ; T. Morgan (Iliirlcy), Csec, 3. Also started: G. Clifton, Australia (Douglas), scr. Owing to machine trouble Clifton could not net going properly, 1 ami pulled out.. Morgan did not qualify, hut was permitted to fill a vacancy in tills semi-final. JllGliee set a good pace, with Morgan hot In pursuit, :im! providing not a few of the thrills. Graham, however, was ugain in splendid form, and Ills great riding was llio real thrill, especially his brilliant finishing effort, by which ho passed the others and won by twenty yards. The times wero: Graham, lmin Msec; M'Gliec, lmin "liisec; Jinrfran, .lmln 'Msec.

Second scmi-Hmil: I). JliiuiiKli (New Huilsunl. Ssoi 1, 1; K. Spencer (Norton), 12soc, 2; A, \V. Hunger (Chiller Lea). Msec, 3. Also started: Miss Tay Taylour, England (Douglas), 4sce. The lady competitor did not movo o(T as well as tho otlicrs, and consequently had to mnko up a lot of ground. Tills she did over the first two laps, and was up with tho others, only to drop back ngaln. Manaßh was going particularly well, and onco In tho lead ho held it. He won by twenty-live yards, tho other three coin-

potitors having a keen tussle for second place, iiud Miss Tuylour making a particularly good (liiishtng effort. The times were: Managli, Imiu 43 2-iisec; Silencer, lmln oOsoc; UuiiKer, lniln •19 4-ssec; Jllss Taylour, lmin 43 l-sacc. < Third sonii-fliial: \V. Kllmlslcr (Doiißlas), (i sec, 1; .1. \V. Hurt (Uoiißlas), 12scc, i; V. Grovo (A..1.5.), ]2sec, 3. Also started: It. M'Kcnzie (A..T.5.), 9acc During the first lap .M'Kcnzie came down. Kllmlstor gave another stirring display, and as he overhauled Burt and Grove ho was loudly cheered, tie won by 100 yards. The limes were' Kilmister, lmln -11 4-3scc; Hurt, lmin 52 l-ssec; Grove, lmln 53acc. Final. ■ W. Kilmister (Douglas), Oscc 1 M. (Iraham, Australia (Norton), scr i V. Jlnnaßli (Now. Hudson), Sscc 3 Also started: V. JfOhcc (Harley), Osec. iliuiiijjh soon had tho measure of Sl'Glicc. who fell In the second lap. Kilmister and Grahuin were gaining on (he leader in great stylo, Jiml thcro was an Intensely exciting contest between theso two riders. Kilmister was maliiiif! ;i .surprisingly good showing, and kept Just clear of tho Australian. All three went round the southern bond almost in a bunch .'during the last lap, and It was then that Kilmister gave the spectators their biggest thrill by taking tho lead and staving oft a strong challenge by Graham. Kilmister won by six lengths, wUJi aianagh twelve lengths behind Graham. The result was received with great enthusiasm, and the race was tho best of the night. The actual times were: Kilmister, lmin 40 l-ssee; Graham, lmin 35 l-ssec; Managh, Omlu 4450 c.» NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. four laps (ono mlio.) First Ueat: P. M'Ghoo (Harley), 1; It. Jl'Konzle (A.J.S.), 2. Also started: J. Arnott (Harley). ••' M'Kenzio was some time in getting under way, and Arnott had the bad luclt to fall. M'Ghee won easily, M'Konzio having a spill in the last lap before he finished. The times were: M'Ghee, lmin 43sec. JI Konzic, 2min fi l-ssec. Second Heiif Tul Morgan (Harley), 1; E. Naylor (Douglas), 2; W. Allen (Norton), 3. Allen was somo lengths behind at the start, but soon passed Naylor and set after Morgan. In a big skid at tho southern bend Allen ciuno down, but remounted. Morgan was now well clear of tho others, and won by nearly half a lap. The times wore;: Morgan, lmin 36 2-5 sec; Naylor,-lmln 4S. 4-n.scc; -Allen, Jniin 17 l-ssec. . '■ .. Third Heal: IJ. Managli (New Hudson), 1; 11. I). Uoss (J.A.P.), 2. Also started: W. Kf (mister (Douglas). All skidded as they swung Into the first bend, and there was much disappointment when it wns seen that Kllmlsler had pulled up. ManiiKh and Itoss had a keen tussle all tho way, tho former winning by'fifteen yards. Times: Managli, lmin 40 2-D sec; Iloss, Imlu 42scc. . Final. 11. Miinauh (New Hudson) ..." 1. 'IV M'Ghco ' (Hiirloy) ' ..\...'.". :7..V'.7.y. 2' Also started: I. Morgan (Harloy). Krom llio rolling start Morgan led Mannish and M'Ghoo, but tho Wairnrapa rider crashed at• tho southern bend. Managli then showed tho way to M'Ghee, but In tho third and fourth laps tho latter mado determined efforts to reverse tho positions. Managh, howevor, responded to tho final challenge, and drew away ill tho straight, winning a keonly-contested raco by!.ton lengths.; -Times: Managh, lmln 40 2-sscc; M'Ghoe, .lmli). 42sec.;-- . ■ \ j ■': ". ' KIIiBIUNIB HANDICAIV ' • Four Laps, C Grade. '* ■••■ I First Heat: W. Vlggars' (Haricy), scr, 1; A; I'ratt (Norton), 2soc, -2. Also started:* N. Latlmcr (Itudgc) scr, A: V. Radcllffo (Norton) 2scc. Viftgara . gave a good display, taking tho lead In tho second lap, and winning easily. Latlmcr fell'in the second lap,, but started again. Kndcllfto also had n. spill. Times: Vteu'S, lmln .51 2-ssco; Pratt, 2mln,9soc. Second Heat: G. Sarclcb (Velocette), scr, 1. Also started: H. H. Anderson (Charter Lea) 2sec. J. C. M'Kay (Dunoit) 2sec. Barclch got away well, but fell. M'Kay had just taken, the lead when ho had to pull up, and Anderson could not get going. ' Sarelcli romounted and won without opposition. Time, 2inin 13sec. Third Heat: J. K. Watt (A..1.5..), 2sec, 1; J. It. I' 1. Bolim (Triumph), 3sec, -2: Also started: A. Cowoll (A.J.S.), scr. ISohin was tho early leader, but Watt eventually passed him, and won by 100 yards. Cowell had machine trouble. Times: Watt, 2mln; liohm, 2niin Ssec. final. \V. Viggai-3 (Harley), scr J (i. Sarclch (Velocetto). scr - J. R. F. Bohm (Triumph), 3scc ■>

Also started: J. K. Watt (A.J.S.), 2scc. From a good start Bohm showod tho way, but after tho first lap tho raco hecanio a contest botweon Sarclch and Viggars. At each of'the bciid3 Viggars endeavoured to pass Sarclch but was not successful until tho last heni when ho shot through and won a. splendid raco by flvo lengths. Walt did not finish Times: Viggars, linln Ei2 'I-Skcc; t>arclch, lmln 53 l-ssec; Bohm, 2mln 0 2-osec.