OPENING OF SPEEDWAY

Evening Star, Issue 20972, 10 December 1931, Page 5

OPENING OF SPEEDWAY

The broadsiding season in Dunedin will open at the Speedway Royle, South Dunedin, on Saturday night under entirely new management, and judging from the programme that has been arranged a splendid night’s sport should be provided. There is no sport that abounds more in thrills and excitement. than dirt track racing, and the improvements that have been made to the local track should assure fans of fast and spectacular racing, especially as the management has been successful in retaining the services for the season of four noted Australian riders, all of whom come here with big reputations. There will bo no fewer than eighteen races on Saturday’s programme, and it is the aim of the management to commence promptly at 8 and to finish at 10. The big event of the night will be the special match race between the four Australian riders, who arc drawn from speedway's in different parts of the Commonwealth, and who are sure to contend with one another in a spirit of keen but friendly’ rivalry. Tommy Tompkins is * probably best known to Now Zealand broadsiding fans, as his name is often mentioned over the radio. He has been the hero of many races on the Brisbane track, and only recently won the Golden Helmet after giving ” a dashing and most intrepid display, going into some terrific slides. Among the riders ho beat on that occasion were Ben Unwin and Hilary Buchanan, both of whom appeared hero last season. Tompkins is assured of a warm welcome to .Dunedin, but his fellow-Australians are sure to provide him with the'* most spirited competition, as all have done well on their respective tracks. Prank Elms is also one of Queensland’s best riders, while Laurie Packer, who hails from Adelaide, is a speed king with an international reputation. Cliff Bvsonth is one of two brothers who are well-known riders at the Exhibition Speedway in Melbourne, and it will certainly’ bo productive of fireworks when this fpiartot start to shift the cinders at tc Speedway Boyle. The management is satisfied that sufficient

progress has been made by local riders to pit them against the overseas stars in handicap events, and the local men arc to bo given their chance in two handicaps in opposition to the Australians. The first will bo tho Pacific Handicap for riders' of OCsec or better, and tho other is the Colossal Park Handicap, in which there will bo two heats and a final. Among those taking part will bo .Jim Nesbit (who is now one of tho most experienced of the local men), Lionel Homer, and Peter Lyders. The I toy I o Handicap is for local riders, and will servo to introduce to broadsiding followers quite a number of new faces. In addition to this comprehensive and well varied programme of dirt track events, a cycle handicap for professional riders will bo staged, tho heats being run off at 7.50 and the final at S Popular prices are being charged, and the management is likely to bo rewarded with a bumper attendance when the season opens on Saturday night. Tho Australian riders arrived in Dunedin last night, and were met by the management of the local speedway and tho representative of tho A.G.U. (Air W. A. Justice). Each rider has two machines with him, and iu addition to meeting the local men before Saturday tho visitors are also to try out the local track. Particulars of tho meeting arc advertised.