MOTOR CARNIVAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 9

MOTOR CARNIVAL.

OIG PATRIOTIC SPORTS MEETING RECORD TIMES ESTABLISHED.

Chairman: Mr P. E. Climie; vice-chairman: Mr J. B. Merrett; secretary: Mr P. HHaruian; assistant secretary and treasurer: Mr C. "W.. Hervey; committee: Messrs A. S. Clarkson, W. J. Scott, F. W. Johnston, D. Crozier, J. S. Hawkes, H. Macintosh, W. H." Benson, C. Bonnington, A. B. L. Smith, G. B. Brown, W. L. Minson, A. J. Harper, A. Woodman, W. W. Vaughan, A. Donaldson, E. C. Hinds and C. L. PbippsBlack. "

There seems to.be a special dispensation of Providence watching over tho interests of patriotic-enterprises in the matter of weather, for the multifarious carnivals, sports meetings, regattas and garden parties organised to help tho soldiers have been blessed with uniform good fortune in this respect. The Patriotic Motor Carnival, which took place at Canterbury. Park, Sockburn, on Saturday, was no exception to the rule. The sky was cloudless, and the heat of a si'ttUflei- sun was' slightly tempered by a light breeze. The programme of sport arranged for the day was almost exclusively devoted to motoring events. Motor racing in New Zealand is a sport which, while it lias progressed some way beyond the swaddling-clothes of infancy, has .been precluded by. the peculiar conditions under which races have to be run, from attracting any great degree of popular interest. Circular tracks upon which events can be contested safely at a speed of sixty miles an hour and upwards are rare iii the Dominion,, and they are scarcely aver available for the purposes of motor racing. Yet, if it be accepted that speed is the most essentially interesting factor in racing, the motor race should bo regarded as the -most interesting speed contest jhich can be witnessed. On Saturday some of the motor:yclists- attained a speed of over sixtyive miles'an hour. Possibly upon a properly banked asphalt track a far greater speed could have been obtained, but a speed of sixty miles an hour is sufficiently rapid to fill most people's requirements in the matter of quick transit.

The . various events were well filled, and'though there were a few

scratching!;, the motor cycling events, which made up the bulk .of the pro-1 gramme, brought out good representative fields. A feature of the meeting was the large number of high-powered j American motor cycles participating, these almost, monopolising the heavyweight event?:, while in the middleweight, and light-weight classes, there were only two" American machines entered, the li h.p. Dayton and the H h.p. Indian. • .. The Woolston Band was m attendance, while a ladies' committee under the presidency of Mrs D. Crozier made a. big. success of the afternoon tea arrangements. Donations were made to the prize fund by Messrs H. J. Ranger, C. L. Phipps-Black.. Bell Bros., Barnett. Glass Rubber Company,- Adams Ltd., Jones Bros.. Hawkes Ltd.". Kibblcwlute and Yaughan; A. G. Healing and Company, Hamlet and Tench, Dexter and Crozier and. Buick Sales Company. The feature of the afternoon was the magnificent riding of the Christchurch competitor, A. "Woodman, on his 4 h.p.'Triumph. • Woodman, who lost a leg a few. years ago in the Tourist Trophy Race on the Isle of Man, is a fearless and skilful rider, whose workwas the most popular with the crowd during the day. H. R. Crawley, of Carterton, received a great ovation for his magnificent performance on.lds Excelsior, in winning the 15 miles championship m record time for Australasia. "Woodman's time for the middle-weight race is also said to be an Australasian record in its class. . The ladies' race created great interest, and Miss Beck was loudly applauded for her win. During the afternoon a Christchurch professional gentleman declared himself so delighted with the sport that he handed Mr P. R- Climie, the president, the sum of £5 and subsequently another enthusiast donated £1 Is as a token of his appreciation ol the promptitude with which events were. run. 3ho tribute was well merited, for the meeting was quite the best managed one ot the kind ever held in Christchurch. The sum of £166 was taken' at the gates and £6O at the tea room. There are manv returns still to come in so that a valuable addition should be made ; to the Patriotic Fund. The attendance was estimated to be in the neighbourhood of 7000. Following arc the results : MOTOR-CYCLING EVENTS. LIGHT-WEIGHT HANDICAP, eight miles, limited to machines up to 600 c.e. First Heat. A. "Woodman (Christchurch), 4 h.p. Triumph, scr . • • 1 M. S. Smith (Wangamu), SJ h.p. Royal Ruby, 35scc . ■ • • • _ • 2 J. H. Robinson (Timaru), 2J h.p. A.J.S., 65sec 3 N Mackersev (Hastings), 8.5. A., lOsec; A. E bendy (Timaru). 8.5. A.. 25sec; M. Jones (Christchurch), Triumph, 60sec; W. M. Lee (Christchurch), Dayton, 320 sec; and E. P. C. Hinds (Christchurch), Indian, 3'2osec, also started. The limit men, riding If; h.p. machine-, were speedily out of the hunt. 'Woodman "ran splendidly throughout, his fastest mile being covered in 38 2-ssec. At the sixth mile he lost his exhaust pipe and slowed down four seconds a mile, but won easily with about a minute to spare. Time—7mm U 3-s?ec. Second Heat. C. Bbnnington (Christchurch), i h.p. Triumph, 35seo • • • ', " 1 R J. Jones (Palmcrston !\orth), 3* h.p. Rudge, 20sec . ■ • • . • ,• 2 A. Moreland (RakaiaX, 3J h.p. Triumph, 20sec 3 R Marshall ' (Timaru), Rudge, 30scc; H E ■ Edmonds (Wellington), Royal Ruby, 60sec; H. T. Osgood (Dannevirke) Douglas, 60soc; J. A. loden (Timaru), Douglas, GOsec; L. Edyvean (Timaru), New Hudson, SOsec, and W. A. East (Christchurch), Dayton,' S2scc also started. Edvvean pulled out after a few laps. Bon-nin"-*"on and Jones fought out a stiff race, i Boriiiin-Hon winning by about a quarter of a , mile after a steady run, Time-Smin STsec.

Final Heat. A. Woodman (Christchurch), t h.p Triumph, 6M . . • • • . 1 E J. Jones (Palinerston 2>orth), 3J h.p Rud"e -20;ec . • • • • -2 J. Robinson (Timaru), 2J h.p. A.J.S., M S Smith' (Wanganni), 3J h.p. Pioyal PnVi'v C Bonnington (Christchurch), 4 h.p. Triumph;' and A. ilorcland (Rakaia), 3i h.p. Triumph also started. Robinson held the lead till the fifth mile, when Woodman, who had run through the field in splendid style took command and was never afterwards headed. Bonnington dropped out in the fourth mile, after running second for our laps. Jones passed Tfnhnison in the sixth mile Woodman won by a arTy hall a mile in torn UJ-ss*c. His fastest lap was done m oS 3-osec. nfIVINION LIGHT-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP teu milcs (,imltcd t 0 macll in e s o£ 350 c.'c. and under). HE Edmonds (Wellington), 2J h.p. TT? {^binson y 'Timaru), 2> h.p! A.J.S. '. I £ v' Foder(Timaru). H B.p. Douglas . 3 T Fdvvcan (Timaru), 2J h.p. New HudL ' , n lw (Palmerston North), 2J h.p. 'TAP nd H S. Osgood (Danhcvirkc), 2| Hi ii °t a lcd' S rrom 'tt?e start. He was , J nTJed bv Osgood in the fourth lap, ? h ?%f, close' tussle Osgood bad engine ut , a , ft o ?A milled out, Robinson running ft*?2U3 pla'ce. «* ™™ M ° ™»

position was maintained till the end, Edmonds winning by about six hundred yards. Time—l2min 53 3-jscc. DOMINION MIDDLE-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP, ten miles (limited to machines over' 350 c.c, TO to COO _«.c) A. Woodman (Christchurch), i h.p.

Triumph • • ',■.'," ? ' K Ttrackerscv (Hastings), t h.p. B.S.A. . 2 \'W. Moreland (Rakaia), 3J h.p. Triumph 3 * M S. Smith (Wanganui), ;i.J h.p. Royal Ruby ; R Marshall (Timaru), 3i h.p. Budge; A. E. Dendv (Timaru), 8J h.p. 8.5. A.; R. Jones (Christchurch), 4 h.p. Triumph, and R, J. Jones (Palmerston North), 3i h.p. Rudge, also started, R. J. Tones got away with a good start, Woodman running near the end of the field. Woodman ran right through in the second lap, and was never headed again. In the second lap Mackersev passed R. J. Jones, and in the fourth lap Moreland ulso drew ahead of R. J. Jones after an exciting tussle. Woodman continued to improvo his position and finished half a mile in the lead, Mackersey, the second man, being a similar distance in front of Moreland.. Time —lOniin 25 3-ssec. Mackerscy's time—lOruin 58sec. DOMINION' HEAVY-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP, fifteen miles (machines over GOO c.c); holder, P. Coleman (Wellington). II ]!. Crawley (Carterton), 7 h.p. Excelsior 1 J. Dawbcr (Palmcrston North), 7 h.p. Indian • • • • ••,.'" P Coleman (Wellington).- 7 h.p. Exce sior .1 H Jones (Christchurch). Barley Dabidson, S Morrison (Palmerston North). Harley Davidson, and H. E. C. Hinds (Christchurch), Indian, all 7 h.p. machines, also started 11 inds was left at the start. Crawley took the lead in the first lap and retained it throughout. Coleman made big efforts to overhaul Dawbev, and drew level in the seventh lap, but. he failed to pass, and was a furlong behind Dawbcr at the finish. Crawley won In- a furlong and a half, in 14mm 24scc. His times were as follow:—Five miles.. 4min SOsec; 10 miles, Dmin 30scc; 11 miles, lOnuil 3Gscc; 12 miles, llmin T3sec; 13 miles, 12mm SOsec; 14 miles, loroin 26}sec. Dawbcr s time for the race was ltmin 32 2-ssoc. Crawley's tiiuo constitutes an Australasian record. ■HEAVY-WEIGHT HANDICAP, ten miles (machines over (W 0 c.c.) S. Morrison (Cnrterton), 7 h.p. Harley Davidson, 25sec . • • • . ' H. Jones (Christchurch), 7 h.p. Harlc\ Davidson, sCscc • ',••,'.■ ' E. E. Hinds (Christchurch), 7 h.p. Indian, P. Coleman (Wellington), Excelsior, scr: J. Dawbcr (Palmerston *««* Indian, scr; H. R. Ciawlcy OYcHing ton! Excelsior, scr; and U. J. J?™ 8 (Palmcrston North), Harley Davidson, (all 7 h.p.), also started. . . Jones held the lead until the eighth mile, when h> was passed bv Morrison. Coleman s back tvpc burst, in the fourth mile, wrteii 1-,-, was'running second to last. Hinds held tliird place from the third mile onwards. Timc-lOmin 5 2-ssec. H. Jones s timolOmin QGsec. LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (four miles.(machines 330 c.c. and under), ladj Miss 10 " M.'tleek (Timaru), 23 h.p. Doug, jas JOsec ~»■*' Miss 15. Lister (Kaiapoi), 22 h.p. Doug1 Miss n C. (Timaru), 22 h.p. DougMiss' A CI E. Cook' (Timaru). Douglas, and Mrs A E. Dcndy (Timaru), Triumph, also St Mrs'Dendv was left at the start M!»>«*« led until the second mile, when Miss h. M Beck caught her. Miss Cook ran third until the third mile, when ebo.was wj by Miss C. A. Beck. Won easily. lime—--smin 32sec. ' -vrrvrnrc ■RELAY TEAMS' RACE, fifteen M mli?, Nor Island ,-. South. Island (teams ■of three riders, light-weight. middleweight and heavy-weight w»P c^ l T?"J>- 1{ _v t . The first pair to start off were the hghtweigbts. Edmonds (North Island!. L. ltm-nl Rnbv and Rob nsoll (South lsla>]«). " hp A J.S. Robinson finished his five miles 100 yards to the good. Mackersev (North Island), i h.p. .b.b..v, rode 3 Woodman (South Is and), 4 h.p. Triumph, for the second five miles. \\ oodman's machine met with a mishap in the first lap. and shortly afterwards he withdrew, owing to the breaking of his magneto CC Hin°ds (South Island) h.p. Indian raced acain'st Crawlcv (North Island), 7- h.p. UceS, in he 'third five miles, for the sake, of the spectators, but Hinds had trouble at the start. «nd.lost half a mile, which he nr.lv nartiollv recovered. Nor h Island won the championship. The time for the North Island bea?:™* rider Crawler, was -lmin 33seo, Hinds s time being smin 9l*ec. Crawley's fastest lap was 56 l-s?ec. CLASS HANDICAP (for . first and second placed men in- cU.«ipionth.p ™*™r C. Woodham (Christchurch), 4 h.p. Tnumph. 2">scc . .- ■ • • r>„, in ." H. S. Osgood (Danncvirke), 2J h.p. uou.,las, IROsec , • • , • -rj c »' o N. Mackersey (Hastings). 4 h.p. B.S.A. 3 J H. Robinson (Timaru), 2J h.p. A.J.S.. and H. R, Crawlov (Carterton), 7 h.p. Expplsior. also started. . , ~ . _ Woodman took the lead in the ninth lap, after a good run throughout. Robinson and Crawley met with a mishap at the northwist corner in the ninth mile but neither •as seriously hurt, though both were put out of the race. Won by about two furlongs. Time—lOmin 9sec.

OLD CROCKS' HANDICAP." three miles. For motor-cycles seven years old and

over. ' ~ , P "vVillberjr. 3 h.p. Minerva, scr . . * K. G. Barrell, 3 h.p. Minerva, scr . . - V. V Hinds 23 h.p. Minerva, losoc . J E B C. Low'V*.. &. S. G. Mallard Arno. 3scc, 11. F. Williams, Rex. scr, and 1. bewell, Indian, 40sec, also started. Won easily. Time—smm ljisec. MOTOR-CAR. EVENTS.

BENDING RACE (cars driven between fixed posts, forward and reverse-L. IS. Montgomery 1, C. C, Derrett 2. R. P. M. Manning. W. W. Vaughan, J. C. Mercei and F. AV. Johnston also started. \\ on easily. . The DOMINION MOTOR-CAR SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP, five miles (open to cars ot any power) did not take place. Instead an exhibition was given by Mr Walter Scott, driving a 20 h.p. Vauxhall, who covered a mile in 65 sec.

OLD-TIMERS' RACE, one mile (cars at least, ten vears old)—This event was run late in the afternoon. Three very ancient small cars, some with no tyres on the wheels, peregrinated slowlv and painfully round the track, amid great laughter. The event was won by Mr '£, Cowiishaw, after many vicisSitlKl?S - NOVELTY EVENTS. "

BICYCLE v. MOTOR-CAR.—In this event an electric runabout, actuated only by an electrical self-starter, driven by H. Macintosh, was pitted against A.B.L. Smith, the well-known cyclist, on an ancient high bicycle. Smith had a disagreement with his mount, and the car won easily in very slow time.

HIGH BICYCLE RACE (Dominion Championship)— K. B. Garland 1, A. B. L. Smith •2. Tho event was not regarded very seriously by either of the two competitors, and there was very little attempt at fast riding.

SMOKE CONCERT. In the evening a smoke concert, at which the visiting competitors were entertained, was held at the Pioneer Club's rooms. Mr J. B. Merrett presided, and there was a large attendance, the function proving most successful.

In welcoming tho visiting motorists to Christchurch, Mr Merrett said that the carnival had proved all through an unqualified success, which was mainly due to the fine sporting spirit displayed by the North Island competitors in coming down to race. The financial aspect of the gathering had exceeded the committer's most sanguine expectations. They considered that if they took £2cO they would be doing well, but a rough tally showed that the Patriotic Fund would benefit to the extent of close ou £4OO. He was sure that the movement for motor-racing which had been commenced that day would have a successful future. Mr Shirley, the caretaker of Canterbury Park, deserved praiso for his aid to the success of tbo gathering. Mr Merrett also paid a tribute to the enthusiasm of the ladies' committee, which had netted £6O from the sale of afternoon tea. Mr P. R- Climie, who proposed tho toast of "The Visitors," said that the North Island' riders, by their splend'd work that day on the track, had Joiio a very great deal for the sport of motor racing in Canterbury, and they could take "credit for having "made" the sport in the South Island. He referred especially to the tine work of Crawley in establishing an Australasian record. Mr Torstenson, the handicapper, nv tiponded in a'humorous speech. The toast of " Tho Canterbury Park Trotting Club" was proposed 'bv Mr V S. Clarkson, and responded to by iuVss/.s R. Wallace and Shirley, and other toasts honoured were " The Pioneer Club '' and " Our Boys at the front."

Musical items were &iven by Messrs Millar, Cookson, Vinneit nml Lake, who sang several Quartets with much success, and Messrs J. Cade. A. B. L. Smith and Fleming. Mr 0, Nathan played the accompaniments. During; the evening a cii'Vjiie was presented to Mr Allan Woodman from the Automobile in recognition of his performance during the niy, and a pair of sleeve lin cs pvescnted bv Mr TT.' Wallace and nuotiou«.vl hv Mr MvlTett realised £5,