MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 93, 3 April 1934, Page 3

MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS

NAPIER PARK MEETINC. SEVERAL THRILLS FOR CROWD. Plenty of ttirills and some excellent finishes were provided at the motor cycle sports held at Napier Park Racecourse yesterday, when the 21st annual meeting of the Napier Motor Racing Club was held. Bright sunshine and a cool breeze made conditions practically ideal for the competitors and the spectators. There was a large attendance of the publie, and judging by the interest and enthusiasm shown, the Napier Motor Racing Club has added yet another successful! fixture Ito its credit.

In the first race, the Limbrick Cup Novice Handicap, of five laps, open to all riders who had not won a race in open company, a moderate field started. C. L. Smith (3| O.K. Supreme) secured first place from D. Hicks (2{ Velocette), W. Brown (3) Ariel) being third. The time was 6 minutes 53 seconds.

In the New Napier Open Handicap of eight laps, a strong entry of riders started. H. J. Davis (7 Harley) had a good win with D. Collinson (3) Harley) second, C. L. Smith (3| O.K. Supreme) third, and R. Styles (3} Royal Enfield) fourth. This race was run m 9 minutes 50 seconds.

The Hawke’s Bay middleweight championship, of seven laps, open to machines over 350 c.c. and under 500 c.c. capacity, was a very close race. D. Collinson (3J Harley took the lead early in the running and maintained his lead to win by some 20 yards from A. 11. Bradley (3j Sunbeam), the time being 7 minutes 10 seconds. H. P. Ahrens (3j O.K. Supreme) was third and K. Ranby (31 Harley) fourth. N. Zemanek (3j Ariel) rode a brilliant race in the Alex Fox Cup Open Handicap, of seven laps, to win from H. J. Davis (7 Harley) in 7 minutes 45. seconds. Spectators had a thrilling episode during the third lap of this event when J. C. Gower crashed with his 3J Scott. The machine somersaulted several times, but Gower fortunately escaped with a shaking. The motor-bicycle was considerably damaged, and in consequence Gower was not able to von,pete in any further events. Third place went to Ranby (3 Harley), D. Collinson (3j Harley) being fourth. Zemanek received plenty of applause on his performance

which had the crowd ou their feet oa several occasions.

The light machines had a great tussle in the President’s Lightweight Open Handicap of five laps. Goldberg (21 Velocette) won this even in 5 minutes 39 seconds. Unfortunately, only four machines were in the running by thd third Jap, and this detracted somewhat from the interest in the event. S. McLeod (2J Harley) was second, D. Collinson (2} Harley) third, and Vinal! (21 Vcloeette) fourth.

Goldberg (21 Velocette) walked away with the Fuszard Open Handicap of six laps. A strong entry of riders lined up for this event, but several, including Zemanek, had difficulty >• starting, and were not in the running. Ranby (3) Harley) was second. Bradley (3J Sunbeam) and Ahrens (3) O.K, Supreme) being third and fourth respectively. The time for this even* was 6 minutes 45 seconds.

The Napier Motor Racing Club Open Handicap was the show effort of the day resolving itself into a contest between Bradley Zemanek, Collinson and V. C. Brown. For the seven laps the going was strong, culminating in a brilliant last lap effort where Bradley (3j Sunbeam) just kept ahead of Zemanek (3i Ariel). On this last lap there wao some spectacular cornering and the dust rose in clouds. Collinson (3j Harley) was third nnd Brown (3) A.J.8.) fourth. The time was 7 minutes 47 seconds.

The final event, the Consolation Handicap of five laps, open to all riders who had not won a race during the meeting, attracted a fair entry. C. Rhodes (3j J.A.P.) won this event. The running of the meeting reflected great credit on all the officials, including the judges, Messrs L. Limbrick, W. A. Painter and F. J. Annan; the starters, Messrs J. Etheridge and F, McHardy; the handicopper, Mr B. Palmer, and the energetic secretary, Mr J. Newton. The excellent work that the caretaker, Mr Elliott, put into the course was appreciated both by the officials of the elub and the competitors.