Motor-cycle Notes

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 238, 8 October 1938, Page 3

Motor-cycle Notes

(By “Twist Grip.” xuo latest news from the Foxton Sports Club indicates a bumper meeting for Labour Day. The attitude of the Foxton Racing Club in permitting the use of their track for motor cycle rac ing is to be commended. It is a club of sports and remembers that in the dayt of horse-racing doldrums, the motorcycle movement was a large contribut ing in keeping their head above water. I inspected the Foxton track on Wednesday last aud commend the club and its groundsman for the excellent condi tion of the turf. The setting is rignt for an auspicious start of the motorcycle racing season, and all that is required to make things perfect is good weather. Here’s hoping: As I mentioned a week or so back, the Manawatu Racing Club has not seen its way to allow the use of the Awapum track for the Manawatu-Orion MotorCvclc Club’s Jiew Year track meeting, end reluctantly the club has been obliged to seek facilities elsewhere.. In this connection I may unofficially state that successful negotiations have been concluded with the Levin Racing Club for the use of their track. Interviewing the secretary of the Levin Racing Club this week, Mr D. Collison and myself found that sporting body ready to assist in any way possible.

Motor-cyclists in the district have been circularised about the forthcoming social run to Foxton beach. It is to be hoped that the committee will be supported by all interested in the moto:cyele “cult.” The social side of activities must be developed. There is perhaps, no subject upon

which more rot has been talked and ink wasted, than that of speed. On tbat topic many a man who is sensible enough in other ways, just goes completely ‘ ‘ haywire.’’ High speeds are not necessarily dangerous in themselves. Fast travel is a fact. We have to gauge its proportions. Recently a motorist was prosecuted solely on the grounds that he motored at a high speed. Very properly he was acquitted, the Court holding that speed and danger are not the same thing. It must be borne in mind that the law gives us the right to ride quickly—provided, of course, that the conditions are suitable. So much for the anti-speed maniacs. Others, however, go too far the other way. I do not mean only by using too much throttle in the wrong place.

Fast riding is a grand hobby, provided you are clever enough at It and can afford it. This, however, is not the only joy to be had from motor-cycling as some would have us believe. Speed snobbery, like other forms of vice, is out of place in clubdom. But there is plenty about. The absolute beginner may be forgiven, perhaps, for trying to corner over-fast, though not without reprimand if the mistake might nave endangered other road users. Obviously the same kind of error is both pardonable and understandable in racing. But it is neither when perpetrated by a rider of experience. Unfortunately, though per haps surprisingly, the experienced rider often offends in this manner. Mv own experience is that the fast driver is by no means the biggest menace on the road. I do not feel that I have to take a ditch at the approach ot a really fast motor-cyclist, or even a sports car with bright young things aboard. No. The only people who

really put the wind up me are business men in a tearing hurry. Most of the really mad driving seems to be done in the middle of the week, and nearly always by a man in city suiting rushing along by himself in a saloon car, apparently oblivious of bends, intersections, and other road users, intent upon one thing only: to be on time with an appointment. Those are the boys who will push you off the road if you do not watch out!

MOTOR-CYCLE AND WHIPPET RACING The Foxton United Sports Association will hold it annual motor-cycle raie meeting on the Foxton racecourse on Monday, October 21 (Labour Day). A programme of six motor-cycle races has been arranged, which include the New Zealand Lightweight Championship and North Island Middleweight Championship. Good prize money has been allotted to all of the events. In addition to motor-cycling races a unique attraction will hold its annual motor-cycle race pets, which will be controlled by the Petonc Whippet Racing Club. As the course is an ideal one and the surroundings suitably adapted for picnic parties, there should be a record attendance. Motor-cyclists are reminded that entries for all motor-cycle races close at 8 o’clock this (Saturday) evening with the secretary, Mr. V. E. Bryant, Foxton, ’phone 3.