MOTOR-CYCLE RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18566, 26 November 1923, Page 7

MOTOR-CYCLE RACING.

SPEEDING AT AVONDALE.

OTAHUHU CLUB'S SPORTS.

GOODWIN WINS BIG RACE

The motor-cycle race meeting organised by the Otahuhu Motor-cycle Club took place on tihe Avondale Racecourse on Saturday afternoon. , The weather twas threatening and, considering the counterattractions, the attendance of about 2500 was very satisfactory. A strong wind whs blowing down the straight, and right into the stands, making the lone wails between races, while the re-handknpping was being done, very tedious.

Some of the finishes were close, the fivemile open handicap being won by half a wheel. Goodwin (A.J.S.) performed well, but appeared to (have the big race thrown at him, especially after his two previous comfortable wins. With the exception of the first open race very email fields faced the starter, the rough '.rack proving too ranch for even some of the seasoned riders.

The fastest lap of the day was made by Coleman in the Eight-mile Open Handicap, when he completed the circuit in 57sec. He retired at trtie end of the 12-mile race and did not compete in the teams or the las', races. . Goodwin had to be assisted off the tract after winning the 12-Mile Open Handicap, the strain imposed being too much for him, McCready was rather fortunate in finishing his last race safely. On examination his front cylinder was found, to be loose, only one nut holding, while his frame had broken at the rear of tin engine. While preparing for the Consolation Race, on another machine, he shed a tyre in the back stretch, and so missed his start. Coleman , rode superbly, as also did Managh and Goodwin. In Managh there is the making of a cbuwpion, and a great race with Coleman can be expected when they meet on the speedy Takapuna course. There were no accidents of any sort, although several hid "snakes" could be observed by machines entering the straight, in some cases <he riders being forced right on to the outside of the track. In the straight there were a number of undulations, and here rnadhines leaped off the ground, the faster the speed, the bigger the leap. The fact that most of the- expert riders were asked to i watch the beginners on corners and that . the speeds were comparatively alow _ probably prevented any spills or accidents. Members of the directorate of the Auckland Motor-Racing Club gave valuable assistance in conducting the meeting. The following are the detailed results, the winner's actual time and not gross time being given:— Novice Race, 5 miles.—P. Nash, 7-9 Barley Davidson. 10s, 1; J. Merson, 6 Douglas, 15s, 2; A. Lemon. 2} A.J.S., 20s, 3; G. Pattison, 31 Norton. 25s 4. Time, fim 1 l-5». Also started: O. Shakespear (Big X) H North (Matchless). Nash and Me;.son fought out the last lap. the former winning by 30 yards, with the third man half a lap away. Open Handicap, 5 miles.P. Coleman, 7 Harley Davidson, scr.. 1: D. Manege, i Indian. 15s. 2: L. Souter. 7 Indian., 15s, 3; T. Cragg. 31 Triumph. 60s, 4. Time, 4m 495. Also started: Clanngbold (Indian.), McCready (Harley D.). Shakespear (Big X), Blackmore (Norton). Lemon (A.J.S.), Goodwin (A.J.S.), Norris A.J.S.), De low (Triumph), Pattison (Norton). Crockett (Norton),. North (Matchless). Harford (Indian), Merson (Douglas). This was the largest field of the day. The back mark men :ept close together and by the fourth lap took the lead, Souter heading Managh who was ahead of Coleman. Riglht. on the last corner coming into the straight to finish Managh was leading with Coleman on his wheel. By a superb piece of ridmg the latter made up the leeway, passing the judge half a wheel to the good. Lightweight Handicap, 6 miles.—C. Goodwin (21 A.J.S.). 15s 1: B. Monftt (21 Matchless). 30s. 2: T. frag? (34 Triumph), 255, 3: J. Crockett (31 Norton). 255. 4. Time, 7m 12 Lss. Also started: Pattison (Norton), Roberts (Norton), Billings (Norton). Harford (Indian). Goodwin won easily by half a lap. . Avondale Handicap, 8 miles.— Goodwin (2i A.J.S.). 110 a. 1; H. McCready (7 Harley Davidson), 50s, 2: D Managh. (7 Indian) 25s 3: J. Crockett (31 Norton), 140s. 4. Time', 9m 10s. Tko limit men were let away too far to be overtaken, and Goodwin again secured a comfortable win. Coleman finished sixth and secured the fastest lap of the day, 57s being recorded. Otahuhu Handicap. 12 miles.—C. Goodwin (22 A.J.S.), 1355. 1: P. Coleman ' Harley Davidson), scr., 2; D. Managh (7 Indian). 20s. 3; T. Cragg (34 Triumph). 150s, 4. Time, 13m 49s Also started: Claringbold (Indian). Shakespear (Harley Davidson). McCready (Harley Davidson), Blackmore (Norton), Crockett (Norton). Cragg led for three laps, when Goodwin went to the front and was never headed. No doubt existed as soon as the riders started tihat it was Goodwin's .race, his handicap not having been sufficiently re vised. Coleman and Managh had a great tussle, passing and., repassing one another in the eleventh lap, Coleman's superiority on the corners winning the day. Teams' Race.Hamilton team: Souter (InKan), Blackmore (Norton). Managh (Indian). 1: Auckland team- Shakespear. (Harley Davidson). Nash (Hariev Davidson). Merson (Douglas). 2. Hamilton won by three-quarters of a lap. Auckland Handicap, 10 miles.—D. Managh (7 Indian), Bcr, 1; H. McCready (7 Harley Davidson). 40a. 2; S. Blackmore* (31 Norton), 90s. 3; R. Mouat (21 Matchless). 130s, 4. Time, 10m 9s. Also started: N. Souter (A.J.S.), Nash (Harley Davidson), Merson (Douglas). Pattison (Norton), Walker (Smith). Managtb rode a fine race and chopping through all opposition beat McCready to the post. Consolation Race, 5 miles.N. Souter (2| A.J.S.), 40s. 1; J. Merson (6 Douglas), 50s, 2; W. Claringbold (7 Indian). scr. 3; J. Crockett (31 Norton). 50s. 4. Time. 5m 56 3-ss. Also started :T. Crags (Triumpl , The state of the track was beginning to tell and very few riders faced the starter. Souter and Merson had. a neck-and-neck race, Souter finally winning on his cornering. _____________