MOTOR-BOAT RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17780, 13 May 1921, Page 6

MOTOR-BOAT RACING.

PROPOSED SPEED TEST.

INTERPROVINCIAL EVENT.

AUCKLAND DECISION.

Interprovincial motor-boat races for the 21ft. restricted class, as defined by the New Zealand Power Boat Association's rules, will be held in Auckland waters next season. A decision to this effect was arrived at last evening by the executive committee uf the New Zealand Power Boat Association, the commodore, Mr. A. G. Lunn, presiding. A £50 cash prize will be presonted to the winner, provided the speed put up by the 21ft. restricted Fleet Wing, in 1914, is exceeded.

This will be the second interprovincial motor-boat race for this class of boat to be held in New Zealand, the first having been held in Auckland in 1914, xvhen a Christohurch-owned boat challenged Auckland to a series of races. These races were held over a triangular course in the Waitemata Harbour, starting and finishing at the King's Wharf, and thousands of people witnessed the Auckland boat, Fleet Wing, win the shield presented by the association. The Fleet Wing in thesb races attained a speed of -22 knots, comparing more than favourably for the same class of boat and engine power with boats built in America at that time.

The cylinder capacity of the class permitted to compete is 251 cubic inches. The object of this restriction is to make the class a competitive one, both in cost and in speed. It is understood by the association that already two boating enthusiasts intend building boats to this restriction, and as there are several in Canterbury the hope was expressed last evening that a good interprovincial contest would take place next season. The executive resolved that in the event of only one boat of the required class being built and raced in the proposed contest, the prize would be reduced to £25, provided the boat equalled the speed of the Fleet Wing in 1914. Members expressed the hope that now that the association had made a start with tho plans for the races the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. Committee would also provide a race for the 21ft. restricted class on Anniversary Day next year„ and that a 'substantial prize would be put up to induce Christchurch and other Southem motor-boat owners to compete.