MOTOR RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 11

MOTOR RACING.

EVENTS AT MURIWAI. SEVERAL EXCITING CONTESTS. STUTZ WINS CHAMPIONSHIP. Fine autumn weather, with a southerly tang in the air, favoured the motor race meeting held at Muriwai Beach yesterday under the auspices of the Muriwai Motor Racing Club, Limited. Motor-cars and motor-cycles of all descriptions, from fast racing models to baby tourers and auxiliary cycles, gave the 2000 spectators an entertaining and exciting spectacle and, although no records were established, some good finishes were witnessed.

Tho attendance was not as large as at some previous meetings owing, no doubt, to the fact that it was a postponed fixture, wet weather having intervened on tho day originally fixed. -A collection was taken lip in aid of the Ilawke s Bay earthquake relief fund.

The principal events were the New Zealand Beach Championship and the New Zealand Beach Handicap, each of 20 miles. Out of 13 entries for the championship, only five cars started, the race being won by Mr. D. C. Sutherland's Slut/. with a margin of 3 seconds. This car accomplished tho fastest time of the day in this race, covering the distance in 18 minutes 43 4-5 seconds. Race for Beach Championship. Mr. T. Cooper's Stutz was first away, followed by Mr. A. Donald's Hudson and Mr. 11. Nattrass' Mercer. Mr. A. J. Roycroft's Bugatti quickly gathered speed and at. the third lap gained the lead from Mr. Cooper's Stutz, holding that position for several minutes. In commencing the fifth lap Mr. Sutherland's Stutz, which had been gaining rapidly, took the lead from the Bugatti and the order was not changed for the remainder of the 10 laps, the Stutz gaining a very slight advantage each time it passed the judge's stand. Mr. Cooper's Stutz ran third for tho last, 10 miles and finished in tlmt place.

Tho Beach Handicap was won by Mr. Roycroft's Bugatti, the time of which was 18m. 535. Mr. Sutherland's Stutz finished second, and third place was given to Mr. R. Grierson's supercharged Austin. The Bugatti held tho lead during the last part of the race, but was given a keen fight by the Austin until, in the final lap, the Stutz, which had been creeping up steadily, displaced the Austin for second place. Details ol the Eesults. Following are the results of tho various events: — Upening Handicap, 10 miles.—T. Cooper (Stutz), handicap 755, 1; I). C. Sutherland (Stutz), scr, 2; Allen and Allen (Ford), 555. 3. Time, 9m 20s. Touring Car Handicap, 6 miles.—B. Shorter (Essex Coupe), 40s, 1; C. TJrquhart (Triumph), 100s, 2; C. Casey (Chrysler), 3. Time, 7m lis. Ladies' Handicap, 2 miles straight.—C. Urquhart's nomineo (Triumph), 555, 1; Mrs. Monks (Chrysler), 2; Miss Billie Carroll (Hudson), scr, 3; B. Shorter's nominee (Essex Coupe), 4. Time, 2m. 445. New Zealand Beach Championship, 20 miles.—D. C. Sutherland (Stutz). scr, 1. Time, 18m. 43 4-ss. A. J. Roycroft (Bugatti), 70s. 2. Time. 18m 53 2-ss. T. Cooper (Stutz), 150s, 5. Time, 19m 18s.

Baby Car Handicap, 6 miles.—Miss I'. Campbell (Triumph), 1; R. Grierson (Austin), 2; L. C. Hardley (Austin), 3. Time, 7m 575. Motor-Cyclo Handicap, 8 miles.— K. O'Brien (Norton), 1: L. Sowerby (A.J.S.), 2. .Time, 7ni 38s. Only two competitors finished out of 10 starters. New Zealand Beach Handicap, 20 miles. —A. J. Koycroft (Bugatti), 1; D. G. Sutherland (Slutz), 2; 11. Grierson (Austin supercharged), 3. 'lime, 18m. 535. Motor-Cycle Handicap, 6 miles.—F. Newton (8.5.A.), 40s, 1; K. O'Brien (Norton), scr, 2; W. JI. Forder (Norton), scr., 3. -in Motutara Handicap, 10 nines. —K. Grierson (Austin supercharged), 1; A. J. Koycroft (Bugatti), 2; A. Donald (Hudson), 3. Time, 11m 12gS. Farewell Handicap, 6 miles. —A. Donald (Hudson), 1; R. CJrierson J, Austin supercharged), 2; A. J. Koycroft (Bugatti), 3. Time, 7m. 10s.