BROADSIDING SEASON OPENS

Evening Star, Issue 20655, 1 December 1930, Page 5

BROADSIDING SEASON OPENS

THRILLS AT THE SPEEDWAY LOCAL RIDERS PERFORM WELL. There is a fascination about .broadsiding that is increased with every visit to the speedway, and that this' most thrilling spoilt is likely to retain its big hold on public favour was indicated, on Saturday night, when about 7,000 spectators attended the Speedway Royal at Forbury for the opening night of tlie local broadsiding season. There had been two previous postponements, but the weather _ on this occasion left little to. be desired, and the brilliantly-lit stadium presented an attractive spectacle when Ben Unwin, well-known dirt track rider from New South Wales, mounted his machine to open the season with an attempt upon Frank Pearce’s four-lap (one mile) track record of 88 l-ssec, established earlier in the present year. The track was very heavy, however, and under the circumstances Unwin did well .to cover the distance in 88 l-ssec. He had slight trouble Avith his engine at first, but eventually gave a taste-of his quality on a track Avhich must have been a good deal slower than those to Avhich he has been accustomed. ; The big feature of the was, Unwin’s match race Avith Harry Maugham, thepopular New Zealand rider,, who has Just returned from England, and who is to be attached to the local speedAvay during the coming season". Although the times were not fast on account of the heavy track, Mangham and UnAvin provided some thrilling' duels, Mangham ‘taking the match; by Avinning two heats to one. Mangham showed even better form than last season, and apart from liis speed along the straights he shoAyed to advantage on the corners. UnAvin took some time to get used to the feel of track, and is bound to go better now that he has had some races on it..

Racing avss keen throughout, the local riders showing surprisingly good form, and undoubtedly the most improved rider of all was Dusan Miller, who Avon all three heats in the Big Throe Points’ race. Miller rode with great daring, his clover cornering being one of the features of the evening. Both Mangham and Unwin Avent well in the A grade handicap, but Jack Young made such a vastly-improved showing that the two cracks Avere unable to make up the handicap. Young, who. is an ex-Wellington rider now attached to the Dunedin track team, broa.dsided in spectacular fashion, and, mounted oil a smoothly-running Douglas, he won the final convincingly from Harry Mangham. Several other local .riders shoAved greatly-improved ‘.forth, among them being Lyders, Brown, Homer, and Griefe, and but for taking a- toss in the last lap Brown would probably have Won the B grade final, AA’hichwent to Grieve. “Sick engines’” claimed fewer A'ictims than usual, and there Were no very serious spills to mar a splendid opening programme, Avhich Avas put through Avith eomriiendablo despatch. Mr W. A. Roivlarid was the clerk of the course, Mr W. M'Queen official announcer, and Mr Bert Isaacs starter arid flag steward. Results: — . A GRADE HANDICAP. First heat: Peters . Lyers (.Otago), 7sec, 1; Harry Mangham (Otago), Isec, 2. Also started; Alec Rait (Wellington 3sec, and Cyril Easier (Otago) 6sec. Rait and Easier both fell at the north bend just after the start, but neither was hurt, Lyders quickly opened up a gap, arid, broadsiding ivell,. he made the most of his handicap advantage, finishing with 150yds, to spare, from Mangham, who rode his usual solid race. Time, 96 2-ssec, Second heat: A. Homer (Otago), 6sec, 1; Beii Unwin (New South’ Wales), scr, 2. Homer early established a good lead over Pratt, who took the bends very wide , and lost ground as a result., Univin tore into a big slide at every bend, but was unable to overhaul Homer,, ■who rode A'ery steadily and Avon by 150yds. Time, 94 l-oscc.

Third heat: Jack Young (Otago), 4see, 1; A. W. Blair (Wellington), 3sec, 2. Also started: A. Anderson (Wellington) 4sec. and Dusan Miller (Otago) 4sec. Miller was troubled by a “ sick engine,” and did not get , going properly, but in this event Young gave one of the most spectacular displays of the night. He raced to the front very early in the proceedings and;: cornering beautifully, went oh to win by 180yds from Blair, Anderson another 50yds back. Time, 89 2-ssec. ‘ ■ Fastest Seconds’ Heat Maugham 1, Blair 2, Unwin 3. The .crowd was roused to considerable excitement in this event, the three riders being almost neck and neck until-the Mast; Tap was entered upon. Mahghahx was brbadsidiug cleverly, and though dinwin tore into big slides at the bends ho lost ground by going fairly wide, and at the flag the Otago man whs 10yds ahead of the others! Mangham raced away* long the back, but there was a thrilling duel between Unwin and Blair. Rounding_ the bend for the straight Unwin tried for the inside cut and biimped into Blair, bub fortunately neither crashed, Blair being in. second place 20yds behind Mangham and 4yds ahead of Unwin. Time, 97 l-ssec. —Final.— Young ... ... ... 1 Mangham ... ... ... ... 2 Ryders had trouble with his machine before ho got going properly, and the race resolved itself into a spectacular duel between Young and Mangham. Young’s Douglas was running very sweetly, and ne made _ the cinders fly at every bend, broadsiding-in daring fashion. Mangham made ground along tho straights, but Young's ■ handicap was used to good advantage, and ho won by 100yds. Time, 93 I-ssec. B GRADE HANDICAP (four laps—one * mile). First heat: Jack Yoitng (Otago), scr, 1;. Gordon Brown (Otago), 6sec, 2. Also started: A. Homer (Otago) 2sec, and Stan. Ravenswood (Otago) Bseo. Homer was unlucky, for along tho hack tho first time round his goggles blew up and ho was temporarily blinded, taking a toss but escaping with, bruises. Ravenswood alsoJiad a spill, and the race resulted in a comfortable win for Young, who caught. Rrowu in the second last lap and won, by 100yds. Time, 96 4-ssec. Second heat: Bill Grieve (Otago), 4sec, 1; Cyril Hasler (Otago), 2sec, 2. Also started; Dusan Miller (Otago) Iseo, and Harvey Williams (Otago) Bsec. Miller again experienced trouble with his machine, and was out of the race in the first lap, Grieve winning comfortably by 200yds in a slow race, Time, 103 2-sscc. Third heat: Jim Nesbit (Otago), Isec, 1; Peter Lyders (Otago), Ysec,. 3. Also started: Henning (Otago) 4sec, and A Bam (Otago) Bsec. Nes bit went a steady race and won comfortably by 50yds. Bain took a Hgbt toss but was unhurt. Time, 100 S-£»sec. -—Final.— Grieve ... ... ... ... ... 1 Young’s machine would not fire, and from the outset Brown set out to make the pace a cracker. He took the bends in daring fashion, and’gave one of the

most improved displays of the- night. He held a commanding lead entering on the last lap, but was Just a shade into in goifag into; his slide .at" the .porth bend, with’.: the result that his mabhine careered wildly ino the fence and Avas tAvistc d -about•; a. bit.. BroAvn went:,hurtling through the air, but fortunately landed clear of his cycle. There Avas loud cheering "when a little later it was announced that beyond minor cuts BroAvn Avas not seriously hurt. Grieve Avas the only : one to complete the course, and took the race. Time, lOlsec. ' SPECIAL MATCH RACE (4 laps, one mile). First heat : Harry Mangham (Otago) I. Also started: Ben Unwin (N.S.W.). Mangham tore to the front at the first bend, and held his lead over the next two laps. Though he Avas broadsiding most spectacularly, Unwin was sAveepmg wider at the bends than Mangham, and lost ground' as a result. Australian got cinders in his eye in the-last lap, and Mangham had. ah; ..easy;. Fide; home, UnAvin failing:tq complete the course. Second heat,:, Unwin 1, Manghain 2. Unwin ‘.was. cornering more.: evenly in this heat, and, establishing a lead in the early stages, he managed to bang on to.it, though Mangham was only 3yds behind at .the flag. .Mangham came out of a daring, slide at the entrant to the back straight, and actually passed, Unwin, along the back. Umviu cut through, on the mside at the bottom, however,:, and won nicely by Byds, Time, 96 2-ssec. . Third heat: Mangham 1, Unwin 2. A neck-and-neck race, all the way. The riders; were together over* the'.first lap, but Mangham, secured a slight advantage at the north bend Avneh Unwin took a ivide sAveep round. Halfway • found Unwin holding'a half-length lead, but, coming out, of a, big. slide, at the entrance to the back stretch, Mangham was syds to the good, and letting his machine out along the back, he increased his advantage. Umvin was not done with, and challenged desperately round the last Fend, and Avas almost on terms as the men tore doAvn the Mangham. winning by a length and taking the, match by tivo..Aiins to one. Time, 90 i-ssee . B:G THREE POINTS’ SCRATCH RACE, Three Laps IAII Qtagd. riders); . First heat : - Rusan: Miller .1, Cyril Hasler 2,-Jim Nesbit: 3. . Nesbit was the speediest'aivay. but, coming out of a spectacular slide at’the bend into the. back ’ stretch. Miller shot to the front; and Haslet Averit into second place in the second: lap.; -He was unable to make any impression upon Miller, who rode well and cornered; very skilfully, finishing 60yds ahead; of Haslet, Nesbit Isvds back third Time, 65sec. Second heat: Miller l,*Hasler 2. Nes- ; bit’s machine petered out, and the race was a walk-over.for Miller, who again rode splendidly td win by 150yds from Hntler. Time, 65 3-ssec. Third heat: Miller 1. Hosier 2. Mil-ler-jockeyed his machine-well negotiating a rough bit at the north berid Just after the start, but he was unseated, and the race had to be re-run. Ho made no, mistake from the start, and, "with his machine running smoothly, ho tohi up the cinders along the -straights, and AA’on by 200yds. ’Nesbit did not finish OAviiig to engine trouble. Time, 68 l-sfieo. Miller took the match with 15 pbiiits (the possible). Easier scoring 9. '■ KILMINSTER REAPPEARS [Pxm United Press Association.] WELLINGTON; November 30. -Good racing was seen at the Kilbirniei Stadium on Saturday; The occasion ivas notable for the first appearance of Kilmister since his return from England. Results: ’ Grand Welcome Handicap .—W, Har-A-io 1, V. Mangham 2, U. Tonks 3. Tirie, Imin 29sec. Kilbiruie Stadium Golden Helmet.— J. Bishop 1; W. Kilmister 2. Time, Imin 21 3-ssec. . Kilbiriiie Speedway. Silver Gauntlet. 1), Roberts 1, J. Richards 2;- G. Trilford 3. Time. lmin' 30 3-ssec, Consolation’Race.—C. Tonks 1, W. Harvie 2, E. Naylor 3. Time, Imin 27 3-ssec. ■ AUCKLAND SEASON OPENED / , [Pm United Press Association.] - AUCKLAND, November 30. The Auckland, broadsidiqg season was openbd at tire Western; Springs'SpeedWay on Saturday evening, when about 9*ooo persons were present. Two, Aus- i trillions; L;: Hale ;.and H».. Buchanan, arid -the-Auckland and dominion champion -A. Mattson rode extremely well. Buchanan and Mattson both equalled F. Pearce’s one-lap record of 20 4-ssec. Results: B Grade Handicap.—C. Morgan. (ssec) 1, R. Cairns (2sec) 2. Time, Imin 35sec. = , Open.. Handicap, A Grade.—A. Mattson (scr) 1, F. Day (4}sec) 2. . Time, Imin 27 2-ssec. Big Nine Championship.—H. Buchanan 1, S. Casey 2, Time; linin 27 4-ssec. • ■ ’.I. _ e CHRISTCHURCH MEETING [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 30. The results at the broadsidmg meeting last night.were as follow.First Division Handicap,- One Mile. —E. Pyke.(6seq) 1, J. Carter (6sec) 2. Tiriiej Imin 32, l-ssec. , Second Division Handicap, One Mile, —R. Russell (Isec), G. Wicks (scr) 2. Time, Imin 37 2-ssec. v Gold Helmet Match, One Mile.—P. Lunn beat E; Marsh in two heats out of three, 'the fastest heat being Imin 24 4-ssec. ' Big Nine Scratch Race, One Mila (Rolling Start).—C. Blacklo'ck 1, J. Carter 2. Time, Imin 29 l-ssec.