EXCITING MOTOR-CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20479, 3 February 1930, Page 14

EXCITING MOTOR-CYCLING

WESTERN SPRINGS RACES

TRACK RECORDS BROKEN. WORLD'S CHAMPION IN FORM. REMARKABLE EXHIBITION. The fastest cinder track racing yet seen in Auckland was witnessed by a record crowd of over 10,000 people at tho Western Springs Speedway or Saturday evenin", when tho world's champion, I'. Pearce, easily broke the existing track records. There was once again a welcome absence of serious falls, and none, of the riders was hurt. In spite of the shower of rain at the beginning of the meeting, the evening's sport proved enjoyable, and the successful riders were given a rousing reception by the crowd. The wonderful exhibition given Pearce was the outstanding feature of the evening. His initial appearance was somewhat unfortunate, as he fell while being pushed off for an attempt on the record, but once his machine had started the crowd quickly recognised that it was a real champion who was riding. During the first lap of bis-attompt rain fell unexpectedly and caused a temporary stoppage/of bis motor. Scientific Broadsiding. Pearce's later appearances on the track will long be remembered by enthusiastic patrons. Astride of his Norton he covered one lap slowly, but the second time round ho opened out and a shower of cinders from his back wheel partly obscured the flying machine. Riding so close to the inside that he knocked, down several of tho pegs marking .the course, Pearco rounded the bend in ono long slide, without at any time leaving the inside line. His machine was over at such a grotesque anglo/that it seemed ho must surely fall, but a twist of the handle-bars and a kick from his stecl-shod left boot brought the machine np and ho was in the straight and nearing the next bend beforo the crowd had recovered from its sur-

prise. ( Pearce's machine was quiet, almost, silent, compared with some of the others, and the crowd was amazed to watch tho way in which he passed other riders as though they were standing still. Ifc was a brilliant exhibition of scientific broadsiding,• and Pearce was given a wonderful reception when ifc was announced that lie had covered the four laps in the remarkable time of lm 255, which is 2 3-5s faster than the record established by \V. Kilmiuster, tho New Zealand champion. Pearce's lap times wore 21s, 21s, '2l 45s and 21 l-5s respectively. In an earlier race he lapped in 20 4-ss, which is 3-5s faster than Ivilminster's one-lap time. Subject to the New Zealand Auto Cycle Union officials being satisfied that Pearce's machine is of tlie required capacity, lie is now the holder of both track records. Other Riders Do Well. The presence of a rider of Pearce's ability evidently had its effect on ot/ier competitors, as S. Perkins, an Australian rider, and A. Mattson, the Auckland champion, both completed four laps in times well inside the previous record. Perkins showed a considerable improvement on his previous form, and both ho and Mattson were worthy rivals for Pearce. The novice races were again good, F. Day being: the most outstanding performer. He won a special trophy given by a Western Springs enthusiast for tho most improved novice, and also raced with success against more experienced riders.. The Australian visitor, J. Patson, who was injured some weeks ago, was expected to be back on the track, but he twisted his wrist while practising earlier in the day and coulcl not appear.

The track was in fine order for fast work and no trouble was experienced with the lighting system. On account of the large number of cars parked near the Stadium and in the grounds, there was some little congestion at the close of the meeting, 'but tr.'iflic inspectors controlled the cars, and before long all tho vehicles >vere on the road home. The results are as follows: OPEN HANDICAP, One Mile. First Heat.—S. Perkins (A.J.S.), Bcr, 1; the other threo competitors fell. Time, lm 3is. .Second Heat.—J. Garmson (Norton). 6s, ]; A. Fribane (Rex Acme), 14s, 2. Fletcher fell and re-started, but could not catch tho other men. Time, lm 403. Third Heat.—A. Mattson (Norton), 3s, 1; A. Way (Rex Acme), 13s, 2; Mattson had an easy win, the other competitors frilling and having recurrent motor trouble. Time, lm 32 2-ss. Fourth Heat.—F. Pearce (Norton), scr, 1; B. Bray (Douglas), 34,' 2. Pearco. had a very easy win, and rode with remarkable •kill. All tho starters ■ finished. Time, lm 28 4-ss. First Semi-final.-—J. Garmson (Norton). 6s, 1; S. Perkins (A.J.S.), Is, 2. A good ■win for Garmson, who was too fust for > Perkins, Fribane also finished. Garmson fell at,the top bend after winning, but was Unhurt. Time, lm 3G 3-os. Second'Semi-final.—A. Mattson (Norton), Bs, 1: A. Way (Rex Acme), 13s, 2. A very closely-contested race. Pearco was 20 yards behind Mattson when his molor stopped, and Way narrowly beat Bray for second place. All four men rode extremely j well. Way. a novice rider, giving a fine per- I formanco. Time, lm 31 2-Sh. Final.—J. Garmson (Norton), 68. 1; fi. i Perkins (A.J.S.). ec.r, 2., Broadsiding in I fine style. Way led for two laps, when lie . was passed by Garmson. Perkins and Mattson v/ere together in the Inst hip. close behind Garmson, Way having fallen. G.rrmson won hy 20 yards, and Perkins ciimo in two lengths ahead of Mattson, the Auckland champion. Way' remounted, only to fall again, hut he managed to finish. Garmson showed'great skill on the corners, getting the most out of bis machine, while Malison whs also fast, but skidded rither wildly on the seeond lap. and so Inst valuable j time, which ho could not regain. Time, lm 35 I os. IMPROVERS' HANDICAP. One Mile. First Tleaf.- ,T. Jordan (Douglas), 4s, I ; ,uTf. Cairns (Royal Enfield), 3s, 2. Steady s;ave Jordan a good win. Time, lm 47 Ins. Second Heal. -F. Day (Royal Enfield), "f. • '■ R- Coyle (Royal Enfield), scr, 2. fnyh, yrratrh mall, fell in the srrond lap, but lir. restarted. Gordort's motor filler! with rinders, and he had to retire. Day ,'v -"i' Mie way and rode a steady race, lime, trrt i| Third Heal. A Way (Rex Acme). 6s. 1: A. ( nnruns 'lndian), .is. 2. Way led i ir '""jhi'iif. and whs not seriously dialv', ' J"'''-' nr. whn rntlo v,-iflionf gofrtflrs, '■* panned by CoppiiiH, owl firiwhorl 1 hirrl. J 1 " 0 . lm V.) 1-sr.

"T-'r,')' I ?'Yri ' ®. nv Enfield.), scr, 1; R, Jordan (Doncls.,). Is, 2. Wnv Ma rf-d well lit D,tv 50 yards after fwo Wiv fe Vi'T V f ", n,p r flis,!| n''" behind. • v If J] wnilo D-iv 7m 40 ' 7or,l " n ,hp finish - Time.

AT-STRATJAN MATCH RACE. One Mile s • Perkins (A.J.S.). 1. Ti, p tralinn visitors, Pearce and PcrUina r j the starter fm this event P-& f ? CCd lenrce broke a chain, and skidrlorl. Kecond lap. Tim machine tonrlmrl Mi., and Pearro fell, leaving p" rk " ' V' e , cr ' ,R , a iji .Roocl time. v-as ~A™ ' Pcrkins.f who lodo "ail out" over thn ]?pa. finished la inuirle Kilmimter'i? ♦ time. Time.-lm 2fi 3-Sb. lnu " Mor B b cnt

INVITATION RACE, One Mile. First, Hept.—S. Perkins (A.J.S.), i ; » C eylo (Ho rloy-PavidsonK 2 Pprld, 1n I. . shend at the start, with Herbert close hj"! hind. Herberts motor was givinc <<■«.,hio and he dropped, back Po'kina won easily hy over half a lap. with CovTe lm n 3l Ms' "" ei ' By SCCon<l- - Heet.-B. Bray m n inr| nß \ i T - Tiwe, Im a3s Dny ,vaa v "y steady.

Third Kent.—F. Pearce (Norton), 1; A. Mattson (Norton), 2. There were only two starters. Pearce, tho world's champion, and Mattson, the first Auckland champion, From tho rolling start, Pearco, on tho inside, took tho lead and was 50 yards ahead after one 'lap. In the third lap tho Australian was 100 yards ahead, and he came homo an easy first. So close was Pearce to tho insido that ho knocked over several of (lie pegs marking the course. He gave easily • tho finest exhibition yet seen in Auckland, and clipped 2s off Kilminstor's mile record. Time, lm 25 .t-ss. First Semi-final.—S. PSrkins (A.J.S.), 1: B. Bray (Douglas), 2. This was a very good race, competition being keen. Perkins led all (he way and made a very fast time. Day rode well for a novice. The time was only 3-5s outside tho previous track record. Time. ]m 2S l-ss. Second Semi-final.—F. Pearce (Norton), 1 ; A. Mattson (Norton), 2. Pearco again drew the inside position, and got away well from Iho rolling start. Coylo was left behind at tho first bend, hut Mattson was close behind Ihe champion. Coyle fell in tho second lap, and did not restart.. After another excellent race, Pearce beat Mattson by :i0 yards. Hiding even closer to tho inside. Pearce managed to clip 3-5s off his previous best litno. and Mattson also finished 1 2-5s insido Kilminstor's record tinio. Pearce's time was ]m 255. Final. —F. Pearce (Norton). 1; A. Mattson (Norton), 2. Three of tho fastest riders who have ever appeared in Auckland. Pearce, Perkins and Mattson, started in this event. Perkins d l- ew the inside position, with Pearco in the middle and Mattson, the only local man, on the outside. At tho rolling start Mattson was a little behind, and Pearce was first round, closely followed by Perkins, who retired with engine trouble almost immediately afterwards. Mattson was 200 yards behind the champion, and could not make up any distance, although the Australian finished wi\h his motor missing. The timo was again lm 255. BLANDFORD PARK MEETING. THIS EVENING'S PROGRAMME. A special riders' night will bo held at the Dlandford Park Speedway this evening, when the entire proceeds of the meeting will bo donated by tho management to the riders as a mark of appreciation. An attractive programme has been arranged, and 20 skilled riders will take part. The .chief event will bo this championship race for the gold helmet, at present hold by C. Goldberg. The holder will have to defend his title against L. Coulthard, A. Lemon. C. "Walker. ,T. Peek, R. Bull and three others, all of whom can be counted upon to give good exhibitions. Tho Riders' Night Handicap has attracted 16 entrants, and should be a most closelycontested event. Match races have been arranged among members of the Blandford Park Flying Six, comprising C. Walker. C. Goldberg, L. Coulthard, A. Lemon, R. Bull and N. Curtis, all of whom have won events at previous meetings. A special musical programme has been arranged, and patrons should enioy thrilling entertainment.