CINDER TRACK RACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20820, 12 March 1931, Page 17

CINDER TRACK RACES.

ENGLISH TEAM'S SUCCESS. The 11,000 people who attended the Western Springs Speedway on Saturday evening in anticipation of witnessing thrilling broadsiding were not disappointed; on fho contrary they saw the finest exhibition of team racing ever given in Auckland. The attendance was the largest on the track for soino time 'and recalled the huge gathering which welcomed Miss Fay xuylour to Auckland last year. The English team again showed their slight superiority over 'the Now Zealand riders by winning the third, test by a margin of six points. Tho members of both teams registered good performances, and for the greater part of the test the issue was in doubt, tho points at tho end of tho fifth round being 15 all. The clever riding of tho English captain " Squib' 1 Burton, however, turned the tide in favour of the visitors. Burton was always a shade better than the Auckland and Dominion champion; Alf Mattson, and won all his events. Turton also htid the fortune to draw tho inside position in the three rounds in which he completed, but nevertheless all tho admirers of Mattson must admit that tho best man won. Had tho English team not included Burton Now Zealand would certainly have won, a fact which shows tho high standard attained by the Dominion riders. Mattson was easily the best of all the competitors excluding Burton, gave an oustanding exhibition. W. Kilmister, of Wellington, who has always made Mattson look to his laurels, was the third most conspicuous rider. Of tho others J. Kempster, England, was perhaps tho most formidable. B. Bray, of Auckland, who is shortly leaving as a New Zealand representative for" the T.T. races at the Isle of Man, did not come up to expectations. He was, however, handicapped by a faulty machine. . •In tho International Handicap A. Way mado the most of his handicap of 5s and thoroughly deserved his win._ F. Day, who was riding in very promising style, had the misfortune to crash in the second semi-final while setting the pace for Mattsoil. H. Durkin, who has been regaining his former dare-devil style in recent meetincs, was dismounted in the first lap of his event. C. Walker had an undisputed win in tho Douglas Match Eace, but, his timo of lm 31 4-5s was disappointing.

MULTI-OYLINDER PROSPECTS. A number of famous riders and designers maintain that before many years have passed the multi-cylinder will displace the singlo for road and track racAfc the moment it seems unlikely that there will be many multi-cylinders in the 1931 races overseas, but were a manufacturer to develop a four-cylinder in time for the T.T. next June, and engage a first-class man to ride it, he would stand an excellent, chance of success, due largely to that vital factor in road racing—improved acceleration. The question is whether any maker interested in racing as propaganda will be ready in time, or whether it will be left until 1932 before the multi makes its presence felt in the racing field. !

TO REMOVE DENTS. The following is a novel method of getting a dent out of a petrol lank, which if the dent is nob too severe is often very effective. Remove the tartk, fill it with water, take steps to make it air-tight and then pump air in by way of the petrol pipe and a rubber tube with a tyre pump. It should be possible to obtain a pressuro of about 201b. per square inch. With the water under pressure against the dent, tap round its edge gently with a mallet and the dent should disappear.

HANDLE-BAR DESIGNS. Motor-cyclists, perhaps, may bo divided into two classes, those who keep their handle-bars clear of encumbrances and those who adorn them with such clusters of mascots and fitments that they resemble Christmas trees. At one time, lamps and speedometers were all attached to the handle-bar. The removal of these to more convenient and suitable positions would appear to be responsible for the vogue of the " clean " handle-bar, which is devoid of gadgets and which has its cables concealed. and its controls as inconspicuous as possible. In this way the motor-cycle 8 handle-bar resembles the car's dash-board. A few years ago, the more instruments and switches which the dash-board contained. the better the motorist was pleased; to-day ho looks askance at a crowded dash-board, and. instead, demands simplicity. At least one concern has foreseen the demand for handle-bar cleanliness, for all their new models are equipped with a bar which could scarcely be improved in this respect. It has twist grip controls for every ingenious design, these operating the throttle and the spark. Levers for the clutch and front brake are " built in." as are triggers for the carburetter • air and tho valve lifter. Tho six cables all run through tho bar, where they are immune from rust and chafing, and on leaving it are taken inconspicuously to tha various parte they operate. The handlebars and controls arc, of course, chromium plated. The appearance of a bar of this type is very pleasing, but an even (greater advantage is the ease with which it can be cleaned. After a log wet ride, for instance, a wipe over with a dry rag is all that is necessary to restore thw part of the machine t-o show-room brilliance.

CLUB NOTE. The Sports Motor-cycle Club run this week is to Ness Valley, members to bring their own lunch. Leave Harp of Erin 10 o'clock sharp.