CINDER-SIFTINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 42, 19 February 1931, Page 17

CINDER-SIFTINGS

TEST MATCHES BEGIN

WELLINGTON'S BIG EVENT

During the past week or two matters have boon comparatively quiet on the speedways, but with the start of the Tests, England v. New Zealand, interest lias been stirred, and it promises to work up to a high pitch by the time the third and vital Test comes up for decision at Wellington. In view of this big event the local track is to undergo a course of special preparation, and this is one reason for the fact that no meeting will- bo held at the Kilbirnie Stadium on Saturday night. It was intended to make'Saturday's meeting a farewell to 0. Spinks, the Australian rider, who has been a firm favourite here. There was also to be the opportunity of seeing Tim Wilkinson in action after his spell, but the welcome return of this rider will keep, and one hopes that ho will now bo all the better for his rest. When Kilmister, Tonks, and Wilkinson arc in action again on the local track, and with Hunger, Phillips, and others maintaining present form, there will be little, need of outside talent to provide sport-of a very high standard. Tonks and Phillips were chosen as members of tho New Zealand team for the first and second Tests, and that in itself was evidence enough of the wonderful improvement which has been made by local riders. It is-to be. regretted, however, that these two riders could not see their way clear to accept the honour offered. It is probable that there will be changes in the,New Zealand team for the third Test at 'Wellington on Saturday week, and in this series of events the British combination should experience stronger opposition than in the Dunedin and Christchurch Tests. Everything points to the third Test being the greatest contest of its kind ever staged in New Zealand or, for that matter, in any couri- j try outside England. With "Squib" ! Burton, Roger Frogley, George Greenwood, Norman Evans, Frank'Bond, and Jim Kempster in one.team, and the six best New Zealand riders in the other,there should bo racing far and away above any 'yet seen on the loeal track, and tho fact that this will be the vital test will make the series of, Test races the more thrilling. . Monday's Meeting. ■ • Postponements were generallast Saturday, and when it came to staging the local meeting on Monday night there was not the interest that has been shown in previous meetings. However, some of the racing was splendid, although quite frequently throughout the meeting it was noticed that riders were far from comfortable in negotiating certain sections of the track. One to complain of the "bumps" was Charlie Spinks, and it was unfortunate that this brilliant rider was unable to give of his best. Still, there was' some spectacular riding, and there were, also some keen finishes. Improving local riders accounted for good performances, and so far as keen finishes were concerned there was none better than that stagey by Hooper, Kiehards, and Grove in the second heat of the Silver Gaunt: let'. This trophy, by the way, again changed hands. Appleyard showed consistently good form in tho elimination contests, and was just good enough to account for Lucchesi (the holder) in the challenge race. At various stages of the meeting the Australians, Spinks, Stevens, and Whittle, gave sparkle to the proceedings. In one of the special match races Stevens created a surprise by taking; the lead from Spinks and Tonks after a lap and then holding it until he fell in the last lap.- Whittle was the most spectacular rider on the track, and it was unfortunate for him that, after,a series of good performances, ho was forced ; to retire during the final of the big handicap. Firth was in fine form, and making the most of his start of 6soe he won heat, semi-final, and final of tho handicap. ' One of the most un^ fortunate riders of the- meeting was Tilley. In tho first heat of the Silver Gauntlet elimination contest he started off well, but a Rait was called when Higgins fell. Then, in the next start, .Tilley was again going well when another rider fell. The red lights flashed again, and a third start was ordered, but in this Tilley could not get his machine going, and was left. The point about this race was that it should never have been stopped. It was not a, match Tace, and match race rules should not have been applied. .. Great Possibilities. • ' Although ■'« ' dirt track'' racing, has become definitely and securely established in "some parts of the world already, it is destined to spread in the near future even farther, to bring far greater crowds in attendance than it docs even now. It has great possibilities. Its drawing power as a sport is second to none. A sport, to draw laTge attendances, to interest, to hold a crowd breathless, must be spectacular; it must have the power to thrill; it must be brilliant. These qualities happen to be the main features of broadsiding. Can you wonder, then, that a crowd of 64,000 attended a meeting-at Manches, ter two*r three years ago to see its exponents, its daredevils, skid,wl slide on cinders* Can you wonder that 94,000 people' packed the terraces at White City, London, to glimpse the uon mounts" go whirling by, leaving a wake of flying binders; machines and men wonderfully efficient; the exhausts. \ vomiting sparks and smoke; the "grids" bouncing and sliding and dangerously tilting? la-tho majority of things the crowd is a good judge of what it likes, and the attendances at the better tracks wherever situated silently say that broadsiding » more, than good-it is excellent and a major racing did not first see the light in America, land of "the mighty dollaU' It was not born amid affluence. It was lowly and obscure; and its great-hearted mother js Australia (states an exchange). It spread to other parts of the world; to England next, to France, to Germany, Holland, Spain, South America, :South Atnca, and leapt the Tasman to New Zealand In loss than ton years its wheels will be skidding in most corners ot tno world. It is too fascinating to slump now and too well established. It holds a thrill for both rider -md spectator,' and so far tho sport is, clean. _ It may bo as well to mention some of tho best international riders, tho supremo among whom is the universally ■Acclaimed Vic. Huxley. Others are Tom Be'nstoad, Clem Cort, Franldyn, Crosskroutz, Van Praag, "Squib" Burton, Jack Bishop, and Frank Pearcc, to list onlv a fow of somo very brilliant men. For tho man with judgment and sound nerve, intelligence and daring without recklessness, tho "dirt track seems the most fitting placo in this moileru ngc, when sport is reckoned an honourable profession.