MOTOR-CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21028, 12 November 1931, Page 3

MOTOR-CYCLING.

BROADSIDING PRACTICE, PROSPECTS FOR THE SEASON. The tlii ill of watching skilled riders on carefully tuned machines slithering round the cinder track at the Western Springs Speedway,which was enjoyed by thousands 01 enthusiastic patrons last season, was experienced again by a privileged few last Saturday, when the first official practice of the new season was held. A remarkable feature of the afternoon was the excellent form displayed by the majority of the riders, who appeared in no way out of practice in spite of (ho long period during which there has been no broadsiding in Auckland. .Many of the riders were quite as good as at tha end of last season, while one or two actually showed surprising but very definite improvements. Although it is as yet too early to form a definite estimate, it would appear that the wildness which was a feature of several novices, and one or two of tliti more experienced men, last season will lie almost entirely absent this year, liideis gave the impression that they were tempering their daring with discretion, and not blindly barging into a corner on full throttle and hoping vaguely for the best. There is no suggestion that the performances this year will be tame-—on the contrary, the times on Saturday indicated faster racing for the coming season—but it seems likely that many oi the wholesale pile-ups which were not unknown last year, and were caused by the reckless cornering of some beginner, will not recur. The track has been improved since it was closed, and although it is not vet in condition for very fast work, it" is excellent for practice, and no doubt will lie made capable of holding higher speeds before the first meeting on December 5. Individual Performances. The experience of a season in Englan 1 was very apparent in the riding of .A If Mattson, Auckland and Dominion champion, who was using a, new Rudge he has tuned and adapted to suit his own requirements. Mattson's style has not changed to any great extent, but he appears to have gained a more definite mastery over his mount, and did several laps which, although quite fast, were more remarkable for their consistency than for their speed. He also did a few laps on Ben Bray's new Douglas, which he appeared to control with ease, bringing it round in 225. Bray was going well, riding on the white line, and did one lan in 21s. Using the Rudge he appeared with last season, H. Tetley showed remarkably improved form. He lapped in 225., and broadsided properly, without trying to ride the corners as though the track were banked. C. Sheppard also put in some useful work. E. Cairns appeared somewhat slow to start, although his mount, a borrowed one, lacked nothing in speed. P. Fletcher, on his Douglas, was steadw but fairly slow, perhaps a good fault at the beginning of practice, while the McDonalds and A. Way appeared more finished than last year. T. Butler, who did so remarkably well in his first season, seemed steady, while Lindsay's only fault was a rather " soggy " motor. One of the best of the Blandford Park S team of two years ago, C. Goldberg, | did a few laps on a borrowed Rudge, but | will probably do better on his own motor ! when it is ready. A new rider, M. ! Silick, of Dargaville. did well on Monday ! to lap in 255. and 265. in his first attempts .His style is very reminiscent of that of W. Allen. Team Racing Proposed. A proposal is at present being cr>nsidered to introduce district team racing at Western Springs this season. If this is agretjd to, the riders will be divided into three teams, Eastern Suburbs, Western Suburbs and City. Alf Mattson is named as the obvious captain for Eastern Suburbs, while it is thought likely that Ben Bray will lead the Western Suburbs and a masked rider the City team. Riders are evidently strongly of the opinion that these arrangements will be finalised, and a team consisting oi Mattson, Herbert, Cairns and Smith will possibly be formed. Patrons would probably welcome the district teams scheme, as it would tend to give them a closer interest not only in the sport but in the riders personally. Many a man who has net kicked a football for 30 years often refers to a Rugby fifteen as " his" team, merely because he happens to reside in the district which the team represents, and the same spirit would almost certainly become apparent at the speedway if the team racing were introduced. It is known that a number of prominent overseas riders will be iseen at Western Springs this season, but dates have still to be fixed. There is a possibility that an additional attraction on the opening night will be a match between the two best riders the Dominicn has produced, Mattson and Wally Ivilmister, the Wellington captain. Such an. event would no doubt prove highly popular. SPORTS CLUB ACTIVITIES. Members of the Sports Motor-cycle Club will take part in a one-lav trial on Sunday. The Manurewa circuit will be used, competitors leaving the Harp of Erin at 10.30 a.m. On November 28 a hill-climb will be held at St. Heliers Bay. The club has obtained permission to use a good hill, 175 yds. long, on private property. The date of the first practice will be announced as soon as arrangements with the owner have been completed. The club captain. .Mr. I'. Fletcher, is organising a motor-cycle football team to compete at sports to be held at Swanson early next month. At the last monthly meeting an address on commercial flying was given by Mr. Spencer Mason, president of the Auckland Aero Club. The address proved very interesting to members, who accorded the speaker a vote of thanks. At the next meeting it is hoped that the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour will give an illustrated address.