MOTOR-CYCLE RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20480, 4 February 1930, Page 14

MOTOR-CYCLE RACING.

BLANDFORD PARK MEETING. FAST TIME BY C. GOLDBERG. RIDERS SHOW IMPROVEMENT. Tho fastest timo for four laps of the Blandford Park cinder track was made by Mr. C. Goldberg during the motor-cycle race meeting last evening, when he covered tho distance in lm 16s. Goldberg was riding very well all the ovening, and he was distinctly unlucky on several occasions. In tho final event of the evening, the flying six championship, ho put up the fastest timo from a rolling start. Although ho won his heat by a wide margin, he was beaten in tho final after an excellent race.

Tho racing on tho whole was very attractive, and tho programmo was one of the brightest that has been seen at Blandford Park. Although falls wero not infrequent, many of the riders started again, and tho finishes in nearly every case were closely contested. Tho track was in excellent condition. A. Lemon was tho only rider who was hurt. Ho crashed heavily in tho second heat of the gold helmet championship, and received a cut on the knee. Although the injury was not serious it prevented him from taking any further part in tho racing. The contest for tho gold helmet provided plenty of thrills for the large crowd of spectators, C. Walker regaining tho trophy from Goldberg, who successfully defended it last week. Goldberg was riding well in the final, but crowded on speed too recklessly on the bend leading out of tho straight in tho fourth lap and forfeited his chances of success by falling heavily.

The open handicap was won by L. Curtis, a young rider, who lias shown a steady improvement during tlio past few weeks. In the second semi-final Curtis had engino trouble, but he wheeled his mount into second place, and thus 10tained his right to ride in the final. Coulthard had also fallen, and remounted his machine in an attempt to cover a lap before Curtis reached tho winning post, but he went into a terrific skid on tho bend out of tho straight and fell a second time.

A novelty event was the drop-out competition. After tho completion of tho second lap tho last rider in each lap was required to drop out of the race, with tho result that (he final lap was left to be fought out between the two leading riders. In this event C. Walker and R. Bull were left at the finish, and after a good race Bull succeeded in beating Walker. Tho results are as follows: — OPEN HANDICAP. First Heat.—C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), scr, 1; C. Yeats (Rex Acme), 12s, 2. Yeats led from the start, Stephenson having difficulty in reaching his usual speed. The scratch man, Goldberg, however, set oft in n determined effort to make up his handicap, and soon passed Bull. At tho commencement of the third lap Goldberg had Rained tho lead and won comfortably from Yeats. Time, lm 20a. Second heat.—L. Coulthard (Velocette), •■is. 1; A. McLaren (0.E.C.). ?s. 2. The limit man, McLaren, got away well, but Peek made a strong challengo and for a lap held the lead. Ho was unfortunate in crashing just, before completing the third lap. Coulthard was riding well and ho beat McLaren to the finishing line. Timo, lm 23 l-ss. Third Heat.—Cyril Walker (Douglas). Is. 1; L. Curtis (Douglas), Gs, 2. From a good start the riders lapped once in the order o£ their handicaps. K. Yeats retired, and C. Walker and Curtis passed the limit man, Richards, who was riding well. Ihe duel between Walker and Curtis was brought to an end when the latter crashed in the third lap, and Walker won easily. Time, lm 225. Fourth Heat.—A. Lemon (Rex Arrae), 4s. 1; B. Smith (Rex Acme), 12s. 2. This heat provided an interesting contest. Fawkes crashed during the first lap, but started again. After riding for another lap he had another spill and retired. Lemon rode brilliantly from the start, to make up his handicap, and caught Smith and Cuthbertson in the third lap. Lemon continued to ride with great, dash, and won by a narrowmargin from Smith. Time, lm 2.'! l-ss. First Semi-final. —L. Curtis (Douglas), Gs, 7: C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), scr., 2. This heat was one which aroused great interest, and was chiefly remarkable for the brilliant riding of Curtis. From a good start Curtis lost little time in catching the limit man, Yeats, who slewed shortly afterwards and retired. Walker and Goldberg were fighting a great duel for second place, and Walker was leading well from his rival when he fell and withdrew. Goldberg rode well. Hut could not- catch Curtis, who won a fine race by several yard 3. Time, lm 22 l-ss.

! 'Second Semi-final.—L. Coulthard (Velocette), 3a, 1; B. Smith (Rex Acme), 12s, 2. I Smith led from the atari., and was -hotly 1 pursued by McLaren. The latter, however. | was obliged to retire owing to engine I trouble, just as he was passed by CoulI thard. Smith was riding well and Conl--1 thard wns unable to natch him until enter- ' ing the straight at the end of the fourth ! lap, when ho cut in beautifully and won by a little over a wheel. Time, 1m 22 2-ss. I Final: L. Curtis (Douglas), Gb, 1: (.'. | Goldberg (Royal Enfield), scr. 2. Smith I rodo well (it the start, but fell as he was j turning into the straight at the conclu- | sion of the first lap. Although ho started again, tho other riders were then a hip ahead of him. Goldberg, meanwhile, was riding furiously, and rassed Coulthard. but failed to catch Curtis, who had established a good lead. The positions were unaltered until tho finish of the race, Curtis riding 50yds ahead of Goldberg. Coulthard ! was further back in third position. and | Smith, in /?pitc of his bad'luck, completed tho course a short distance behind CoulI thard. Time, lm 23 2-ss. I GOLD HELMET CHAMPIONSHIP. I First Heat.—R. Bull (Douglas), 1; C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), 2; 11. Stephenson (Harley-Dnvidson). 3. Bull led from the start. Cold berg passed Stephenson by brilliant riding, but failed to catch tho leading man. Bull went into a bad skid in tho third lap, and looked liko falling. He made a fino recovery, however, and won from Goldberg with a fino burst of speed. Time, lm 19 4-ss. Second Ileal.— C. Walker (Douglas), 1. There were only two riders in this race, f'uthbertson failing to appear. Walker led from Lemon and the latter crashed before completing tho second lap. He received a cut on tho knee tnd was obliged to retire | from the race. Walker wan tho only one to finish. Time lm 23 J-oh. Third Heat.—L. Curtis (Douglas), 1; D. I Coulthtird (Velocette), ,2. Curtis led j throughout, but was hotly pursued by Coulthard after the completion of tho first, lap. Coulthard rodo very well, but. could : not <!atch Curtis, v.'ho won by two yards. ; Timo, lm 20 l-ss. 1 First Semi-final.—C. Walker (Douglas), 1:, C Goldberg (Royal Enfield). 2. Theso were tho only starters. Walker led throughout, but was hotly pursued by Goldberg. lime, '"Second'Semi-final.—R. Bull (Douglas), 1: L. Curtis (Douglas), 2. Bull Curtis and Coulthard Rot. away lo a perfect Hiart, and Curtis wont to the front. Shortly nltcrwnrds he retired with engine trouble. Coul- . thard who was running in second place, | 0,-ashed honvily at, the end of tho second | lap and was narrowly missed by Hull. Cur-; tis wheeled his mount into second place. ; Time, lm 22 2-!) S. I Final—C. Walker (Douglas). 1; It. Bull l (Douglas), -2. Walker led throughout in, what, was an excellent race-. Goldberg i crashed heavily in the fourth lap, and was winded by tho rear wheel of hifi machine. ; Bull who was riding a, determined nice, : went into second placo, but, could not, catch , Walker, who won by 70yds. Timo, lm 19s. DROP-OUT COMPETITION. It. Bull (Douglas), 3s, 1; C. Walker (Douglas), Is, 2. Stephenson fell in the second lap, and Goldberg who wiib the lant, round in tho third lap had to drop out, leaving tho race between Walker and Hull, the latter winning comfortably. Timo, lm 335. FLYING SIX CHAMPIONSHIP. First Heal.—R. Bull (Douglas), I: IT. ntephenfon (Havley-Duvicihon), 2. Stephensou led from the start, but was caught in the third lap by Bull, who won by 25yds. 1 lino, lm 21 fieUh 0 " 1 ! 1 n on Gol<lllf, rc (Royal Enfield) 1; C Walker (Douglas), 2. This u„ 0 ' 'bj 4 f ? Rteß \ of tho evening. Gold- _ | ed r thr ? ,,K , hf ! ,, V ' ,nrl Walker, who was ner 'rimn lßlo<l , ( lnU !l lap nf,cr tho winner. J imo, Jni 10b. ber"7l?m-ni v 'rVn 1; C. Goldexciting finish". 'Wit 10yds in an I