BROADSIDING

Evening Star, Issue 20986, 28 December 1931, Page 11

BROADSIDING

[By Flash.]

SPEEDWAY NEWS AND NOTES

Plenty of action and thrills were crowded into Saturday night’s broadsiding, but though spills and machine troubles were more frequent than for a long time past it is pleasing to record that no serious crashes took place, and hard work on the part of the officials prevented any hold-up in the programme. The track was heavy and times were correspondingly slow; but on the other hand it is a very long time since tho fans witnessed so many sensational finishes, and finishes in which the local men frequently played a part. *** , * The Australian team has already won the favour of hroadsiding followers, and the displays of tho overseas’ riders last week confirmed _ the good impressions of their riding alter their initial appearances. _ Tommy Tompkins did not salute the judge during the night, though ho was placed several times. The Queenslander, however, again rode with great dash and hroadsided in the way that brings the crowd to its feet. Unfortunately, his motor was not performing too well, and this was evident in the special match event in which he was not so -fast in up for the start as on the previous night.

No one will question Laurie Packer’s skill on the turns, but like Tompkins he was prevented by machine trouble from giving of his best.

While mishaps were the lot of Tompkins and Packer, both Prank Elms and Cliff Bysouth showed form that was more indicative of their ability than that of the opening night. Elmes thoroughly deserved his win in the Plying Four Points race, in which he annexed two of the heats, but Bysouth’s riding was just as much a feature of the night, especially from the standing starts, for in winning his heat of the Porbury Handicap in S 7 l-ssoc he showed plenty of nerve on the last turn, coming out of a big slide to secure the inside berth and head Inglis by a length. It was a spectacular piece of work, and his cornering throughout the night was worth watching. The Australians should be capable of outstanding efforts now that they are becoming accustomed to the track.

While the visitors did their part in entertaining the spectators, more than average form was shown by a number of the local men, who are making rapid progress on the dirt track. The star of the meeting was undoubtedly Allan Crighton, who annexed both open handicaps and the local event. Ho had a practice ride on the track last season, but Saturday night’s was only his second meeting. Yet. he rode like a veteran, and, though cornering a bit wide at times, showed plenty of nerve and dash, rode with good judgment, and sat his machine well. If ho can turn on form like that after only a fortnight’s serious riding there is no telling what he will be doing by the end of the season.

Lionel Homer again rode well, but with no luck, as ho broke a chain on two occasions during the evening. Jim Nesbit was riding a new Budge, and when ho becomes used to it is likely to keep the other local back-markers very busy. Nesbit is one of the most consistent men bore. * « * * Peter Lyders was one of the most prominent of the local riders, being second in the Otago Handicap final and second in the Tahuna (local) Handicap final also. He returned 94 4-ssec in winning one beat, good time on the night. He bad his heat of the Porbury Handicap won when ho “ konk'erl,” finishing second, but failing to qualify for the final. He is a steady rider, and a neat cornerer. It was in Ids heat of the Porbury Handicap that spectators witnessed the ununsual spectacle of no riders left on the track. Three men crashed, and he petered out, but two of the fallen riders remounted while Lyders got going again. ° • « • * Stan. Ravcnswood’s machine was put out of action after he crashed early in the evening, but he won a heat in 95 1-Ssec, which shows that he is on the up grade. * * * * Jack Young’s motor was not running so well as it might have been, and all who appreciated the good broadsiding of this popular rider in the last two seasons will hope that lie will soon be found among the winners again. * , * * * Sid. Jackson, famous English star, will appear at the Speedway Roylo on Saturday night, and in addition .to the international event there will be a match race between Canterbury and Otago riders.