SPEEDWAY THRILLS

Northern Advocate, 18 November 1929, Page 3

SPEEDWAY THRILLS

MOTOR CYCLE CARNIVAL. RACING AT PARK. DETAILS OF EVENTS. There were few close finishes at the Whar.garci Motor Cycle Club’s meeting at Kensington Park, but the spectators were highly pleased with consistently good racing. No fewer than 16.30 paid for admission and the gatg takings were £lB2 18s (id, which must be considered very satisfactory indeed. These record figures almost certainly wouid have been increased had it been possible to carry on with the fixture on Labour Day.

Although the rain had not cleared until early Saturday morning, the track rolled, out surprisingly well, and improved as the sun had its effect during the afternoon. This was shown in the times, which, although not exceptional in any event, showed an average of between (50 and 70 m.p.h. This was quite good considering that at Takapuna where there are less bends, and the track is prepared with the objective of a speedway, the times usually range between 80 and 90 m.p.h.. Early fears that the track would be dangerous were .aroused in the first event when W. Herbert was thrown. However this was the only untoward incident of the afternoon, and Herbert subsequently rode home to victory on a borrowed machine.

“Unfortunately, R. Ranby, who holds a. Now Zealand record, was unable to be present, but most of the Dominion’s cracks were seen in action. C. Gooffwin who holds the lightweight championship was ?rell to the fore, winning two consecutive races. His struggles with Ben Bray wore good to see, and afforded some of the best thrills of the afternoon.

Having had considerable experience of dirt track racing in Australia much was expected from A, Lemon, but this rider met adversity in the shape of engine or tyre trouble in almost every race. When he did get his machine in good running order he won a race comfortably. A Hutley, of Awanui, and H. Stevenson, until recently of Whangarei, both young riders also rode very well. ' The various officials are to be congratulated on the way in which the details of the meeting were carried out. The merest novice was enabled to follow the racing without hesitation by the lap board, and announcer. The latter, an innovation for Wliangarei, was in the capable hands of Mr G. Hotter, sports announcer ' for IYA, Auckland, who did not altogether confine himself to the actual racing, and kept the crowd amused. A strong contingent of the Whanga rei branch of the St. John Ambulance Division was in attendance, but other than the mishap to Herbert, was not called upon to attend to any casualties.

The Municipal Silver Junior Band was in evidence and enlivened proceedings with a spirited programme. What with the band and the announcer, tlfo public had something to hear as well as see all the time.

The success of the meeting must be gratifying to all connected with its conduct, and to no one more than Mr R. R. Rosemnn, the hard-working, efficient and very popular secretary; also to the judge, Mr R. G. Hosking; starter, Mr H. Hannam; the"timekeepers, Messrs E. A. Simmons and A. R. Benjamin, and the various 'other officials whose efforts assisted to make the day’s sport outstanding. Except in the Kamo, Hikurangi and Consolation Handicaps, where the distribution was, first £B, second £3, third £l, the prize money was £lO, £4, £2, and £l. Details of the racing are as follows: KAMO HANDICAPSeven laps, for machines up to 500 c.c. K. Yeats, 23 Rex-Acme (35sec) .. 1 H. Robins, 23 Velocette (65sec) .. 2 H. Stevenson, 23 Indian (35sec) .. 3 A. Lemon, 23 Rcx-Acmo (25sec) .. 4 Also started: W. Herbert, scr, B. Bray, C. Goodwin 17Jsec, P. Butler, L. Coulthard, T. Blomfield 25see, C. Goldberg 30sec, A. Hutley oOse-e, A. Higgins (lOsec, and H. Nixon 65socs. Yeats and Stevenson made tlie pace early, with Bray lapping consistently, and Goodwin making a good but unsuccessful attempt to overcome his handicap. Mishaps came early, W. Herbert who was regarded as a hkely winner, crashing into the rails. Goldberg and Coulthard also dropped out, and Robins, who had been taking his time, cracked on the pact; to finish close behind Yeats. The time was (imin 53 3-" secs. M'ANFN HANDICAP. Seven laps; for machines up to 300 c.c. B. Bray, 2 5 A..T.S. (20 sec) 1 A. Lemon, 23 Rex-Acme, (15sec) . 2 H. Stevenson. 23 Indian, (26sec) . 3 P. Butler, 23 A.J.S., (20see) 4 Also started: f. Goodwin scr, Tv feats, T. Brumfield laser, L. Coulthard, C. Goldberg 20sec, A. Hutley, H. Robins 25sec, G. Stirling OOsoc. Hutley took the role of pacemaker from Coulthard, Stirling and Stevenson. Bray soon began to forge his way through and took the lead in the third lap, with Hutley in close attendance. For a time they bunched and an exciting finish was in prospect, but Coulthard ami Goodwin, who had be«n well in the picture, developed engine trouble. As the race progressed it became apparent tbit Bray, riding splendidly on a machine in first-class orde.eould not bo challenged, and he won by a length. The net time was 6mln 48 4-598C3.

KENSINGTON HANDICAP,

Seven laps; for machines up to 500 c.c. C. Goodwin, 23 Royal Enfield .T.A.P., (lOsec) 1 H. Nixon,-23 A.J.S., (35sec) .... 2 L. Coulthard, 2J Rex-Acme, (20sec) .‘I B. Bray, 31 Douglas, (scr) 4 Also started: P. Butler 20sec, T. Blomfield 35sce, C. Goldberg 30sec, K. Yeats 15sec, H. Stevenson losec, A. Hutley 25sec, A. Higgins 30sec, and A. Snowden 35see.

Dixon, a young local rider, created a very good impression in this race, which had plenty of incident. It was soon evident that Goodwin, the Auckland speedster, was right out after tlm verdict. This rijfler’si cornering was very daring, and evoked admiration. In the fourth lap he headed Hutley, who had been lying second, and at the beginning of the last round the order was—Nixon, Goodwin, Coulthard and Bray, There was a sensational finish, Goodwin passing Nixon in the straight. The winner’s time for the journey was 6min 27 l-ssee. COUNTY HANDICAP. Seven laps; for machines up to 500 c.c. C. Goodwin, 2| Royal Enfield J.A.P., (scr) I B. Bray, 2.3 A.J.S., (ssec), 2 P. Butler, 2J A.J.S., (25sec) .... 3 L. Coulthard, 2% Rex-Acme (20scc) 4 Also started: A. Lemon ssec, C. Goldberg 30sec, K. Yeats lOsec, H. Stevenson lOsec, A. Hutley 25see, H. Robing 30sec, and A. Snowden 40sec.

This race soon developed into a duel between the old rivals, Goodwin and Bray, and the crowd was treated to some thrilling racing. Lemon was out of things from the start, his machine failing to get going. Snowden led foi the first lap, with Butler and Hutley well up. All the machines were running smoothly, but did not open up in the early stages. Then in the fourth lap Goodwin cut a corner sharper than Bray and was in front at the start of the fifth time round. Bray opened the throttle and the pair fought out a great race, the Auckiland man winning by a few yards.

The crowd was surprised when the time announced was 6min 36 f-ssec, actually slower than the previous race. Goodwin had an ovation. WHANGAREI HANDICAP.

Seven laps; for machines lapping the

course in 53 seconds or better. L. Coulthard, 2f Velocette, (30sec) 1 C. Goldberg, 2J. Royal Enfield, (40sec) 2 B. Bray, 3-J Douglas, (scr), 3 C. Goodwin, 23 Royal Enfield J.A.P., (24scc) 4

Also started; B. Bray scr, A. Lemon lOsec, T. Blomfield 20sec, H. Nixon 20* sec, H. Stevenson 25sec, and Higgins 40sec.

Stevenson and Lemon failed to got away smartly, and the latter, who had been tracked by bad fortune in almost every event, had to pull out later on. When the first lap had been completed Butler was piloting Goldberg and Coulthard. The order remaineß the same until the fourth lap, when Goldberg shot to the front. The back-markers were piekifig up .their distances, and Stevenson and Goodwin put on some fine turning thrills. At the conclusion of the sixth round Coultfiard had taken command and thereafter was never troubled. The time was 6min 26 4-ssecs. HIKURANGI HANDICAP. Seven laps; for machines up to 500 c.c. W. Herbert, 23 Indian, (25see) .. 1 C. Goldberg, 25 Royal Enfield, (35sec) 2 P. Butler, 23 A.J.S, (35sec) ... 3 T. Blomfield, 23 Harley, (30see) .. 4 Also started B, Bray scr, A. Lemon 20sec, K. Yeats 20sec, A. Higgins 40 sec, H. Nixon 25soc, and G. Stirling 63 secs. This was -a desperate tussle between, the first three men, Butler led for the second, 1/hird and, fourth laps, with Herbert coming up all the time. He displaced Godlberg for second place in the fourth lap, and was loudly clapped when he took the lead passing tlm grandstand. Butler and Goldberg contested second place, the latter just getting the verdict. It was a good race between the first three, Herbert'n win was very popular, in view of his fall in the first event, when his machine was smashed. For the Hikurangi Handicap he rode a machine lent to him by H. .Stevenson. A, Higgins, a local rider, again had bad luck, his tyre coming off for the second time in two races. The time for the race was 6miu 52. sec. PORTLAND HANDICAP. Seven laps; for machines up to 350 c.c. A. Lemon, 23 Rex-Acme, (30sec) 1 H. Stevenson, 25 Indian, (Oosec) . 2 T. Blomfield, 23 Harley, (30sec) .. 3 B. Bray, 23 A.J.S., (71sec) 4 Also started: C. Goodwin scr, P. Butler 35sec, L. Coulthard 33sec, C. Gol 1herg POsec, K. Yeats 2osec, and 11. |{ >bins -lOsec, The best and fastest race of Hi' 1 afternoon. Stevenson led for the first four laps. The fifth was thrilling all the way round, with Lemon and Stevenson alternately going to the front. They changed positions twice on bends, to th° general excitement, and tb’n Lemon gained the upper hand and the lead for the rest of the way, with the, ex-Whangarei rider, Stevenson, chasin« r him hotly. Bray rode another good race, hut could not overcome his handicap. The winner’s time was Ornin 22 secs. CONSOLATION HANDICAP. Seven laps; for machines up to 500 c.e. C. Hutley, 23 Velocette, C3T mini 1 A. Higgins, 3| A.J.S., (30see) . , 2 T. Blomfield, 23 Harley (scr) M There was little in fhis race. Hutley took the lead in The third lap aiicl was never troubled from then on. The time of 7min 57sec was easily the slowest of the meeting.