MANGERE SPEEDWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 12

MANGERE SPEEDWAY.

IMPROVEMENTS TO JRACK.

WIDENING AND DRAINAGE WORK.

A visit to tho Mangcro Speodway was paid by tho directors of tho Auckland Automobilo Racing Club yesterday, when the improvements which have been carried out during tlyo winter by Mr. George Henning were inspected. Great satisfaction was expressed by tho visitors at the amount of work done, and it was considered that during the coming racing season the track would be not only faster but also safer, so that more spectacular racing by both motor-cars and cycles would bo seen.

In many parts tho track has boon widened by half-a-chain, tho greatest amount of work having been carried out near tho finishing post.,-- All tho drain running round the inner side of the track has now been filled in, giving moro width, while several miles of drain have been laid in the swamp in tho centre. Tho inside of tho bowl looks much improved. After the winter's rain the track itself has consolidated, particularly where there woro fillings, and tho softer parts have been filled with stono which has been romovod from the banks at tho bends, where the track has boon widened. Tho corners have been cut away on tho sharp turns, allowing drivors to swing wider with greater safety. This work is being continued, and when it is finished it will rc.'juiro only tho services of a tractor and grader to bring tho track into fine condition for tho first meeting of tho coming season, which is to bo hold on November 30. -

Mr. Ilenning has under consideration the preparation of a smaller track, about half a milo in circumference, for motorcycle racing, and this may bo finished by Christmas. Tho proposal is to form tho track insido tho largo speedway, utilising a portion of tho present track near tho finishing post and forming a D-shaped circuit. Already a drain has been laid along 'tho course of the proposed track, which requires only lovolling. Very little surfacing will bo needod, as it is intended to form only a dry-weather course. With tho smaller ' track it is thought that motor-cycle racing would be mado very much moro spectacular, while at the same timo high speeds could be attained. Arrangements aro now being made to provide bettor access to tho property. Pukaki Boad will be used as tho approach road, and entrance to the track will bo gained by 10 or 11 gates at intervals along tho boundary of the speedway, obviating the traffic congestion which was folt at mcotings lust year. Hundreds of yards of scoria aro being laid in forming roads loading down toward the track, and thore is oxpocled to bo no difficulty in handling, tho stream of cars either coming or going.