MOTOR-CAR RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20793, 9 February 1931, Page 9

MOTOR-CAR RACING.

TWO CRASHES AT MANGERE.

ABANDONMENT OF MEETING.

After two spectacular crashes at high' speed had occurred in quick succession at the Mangere speedway on Saturday afternoon —the second of which resulted in the driver being sent to the hospital—the motor-car races were abandoned. The meeting which wds organised, by the Auckland Automobile Racing Club, Limited, was well attended, but the surface of the track was in very pooc condition, and the two officers of the day considered it would be unwise to proceed with the racing, although the drivers wens willing to continue. The leading cars raised such dense cloudii of dust that it was almost impossible foir the back-markers to see where they weriij going, and in several places there wero deep ruts on the course. The faster cars were very hard to hold on account of the rough track, and several collisions were narrowly averted when cara leaped bodily sideways without warning. The results are as follows— . GEORGE HENNING HANDICAP, Five Laps. Racing Cars OnlyFirst Heat.—Esses (B. Shorter), 30a, i.i Austin Seven (R. M. Griereon); 28s, Sit Stutz (D. C. Sutherland), scr., 3. Time, 5m 54 2-ss. Second Heat.—Chrysler (F. de M. Hyde), ; < 355, 1; Thomas Special (R. Andrews), 20s, 2; Messenger Special (A. R. E. Messenger), 20s, 3. Time, 5m 48s. Final.—Chrysler (F. de M. Hyde),;3ss, I; Essex (B. Shorter), 30s, 2. The Chrysler took the lead at the stairt, and was never challenged. The supercharged Austin and the Thomas retired, while Shorter could not overtake the Chrysler. Time. 6m 2-ss. SPEEDWAY HANDICAP, Eight Laps. Handicap Limit 70s. Mercer (n, Nattrass), 50s .. .. ..1 Riley (G. Smith), 30s .. .. .. a Stutx (D. G. Sutherland), scr. ... 3 Nattrass started well, and considering that he bus not taken part in a speedway event for about seven years, drove a good race. Smith handled the Riley very cleverly, but could not make up his handicap. Time, 9m 25 2-ss. NEW ZEALAND LIGHT CAR CUP. Limited to 1500 c.c. 12 Laps. Thomas Special (R. Andrews) ... .. 1 Brookland'a Riley (G. Smith) .. .. 2 Although there were only two starters, the race was very closely contested and aroused the keenest interest. Andrews,, a visiting driver from Wanganur, drew the inside position and sliowed better acceleration from tho rolling start. He gained a lead of about 50 yards and stayed that distance ahead of the red Riley throughout. Both riders wore chaired from the course at the conclusion. Time, 13m 5 4-ss. MANGERE HANDICAP. 5 Laps. First Heat.—Stutz <D. C. Sutherland), scr.. 1; Messenger Special (A. li. E. Messenger), 20s, 2; Mercer (H. Nattrass), 30s, 3. °Time, 5m 12 3-ss. _ . Second heat and final combined.—Dunng this event tho meeting was abandoned.