CINDER TRACK RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21119, 29 February 1932, Page 13

CINDER TRACK RACING.

WESTERN SPRINGS EVENTS.

BRILLIANCE OF A. MATTSON.

R. CAIRNS RIDES SPLENDIDLY. Chief interest at the cinder track motorcycle race meeting at Western Springs on Saturday evening centred in tho contests between Wellington and Auckland riders. A scries of four races resulted in Auckland winning by 15 points to 9. A. Mattson, fhe Auckland and Dominion champion, was the most successful rider, winning two of these events. In tho first race W. Kilmister, the Wellington captain, fell at the first bend.

Kilmistcr had no difficulty in winning tho third inter-provincial race, however, in which ho made tho fastest time of the evening, lm 18 5-ss. A rider who performed consistently well throughout the evening was R. Cairns, who won tho second race. Ho shows promise of being one of Auckland's most, brilliant riders. He ran second fo Kilmistcr in tho first heat of tho North Island championship, and in both tho semi-final and tho final was second to Mattson. Tho Auckland and Dominion champion thoroughly deserved his win in this contest, as ho gained first place in each of tho three stages. After winning his heat Kilmistcr had a spill in the semi-final when in a hopeless position, however. C. Goldberg and T. Butler were tho other heat winners.

Butler was also prominent in the Leap Year Handicap, winning both liis heat and semi-final. He did not start in the final. The event was won by S. Sheppard, from 20yds. behind, the limit man, F. Lindesay, being in second place. The racing was witnessed by a fairly largo crowd, which enjoyed particularly the contests in which both Mattson and Kilmister appeared. Cairns' skill and daring won him considerable popularity. There were some delays in despatching the riders from rolling starts. .Results aro as follows: — WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND. This series of races was won by Auckland by 15 points to 9. First liace.—A. Mattson (MaHt-Jap). Auckland, 1; F. Day (Norton), Auckland, 2; B. Appleyard (Rudge), "Wellington. 3. Time, lm 20 l-ss. Mattson, having won the toss, occupied the inside, position, with Kilmister nexi to him. There were two unsuccessful a-larts, the two captains often being yards ahead of their team-mates. After the riders .had circled the track twice, repairs we;;o effected to a footreE>t of Mattson's machine. The race was rerun later. At the second attempt Mattson forged ahead, followed by Day. Appleyard was third, Kilmister falling at the first bend in an effort ito pass Mattson. Places at the finish wero unchanged. Second Race.—R. Cairns (Mattißudge), Auckland, 1; A. Hunger (Norton), Wellington. 2; P. Fhillips ('Rudge), Wellington, 3. Time, lm 21s. From a good start Cairn 3 darted ahead •to lead by 20yds in the first straight. Hunger was in second place, with his teammate, Phillips, close behind. Goldberg was forced to retire owing to trouble with his machine. The positions remained unchanged. Cairns increasing his lead to gain a. popular victory. Third Kace.—W. Kilmister (J.A.P.), Wellington, 1; C. Goldberg (Goldjap), Auckland. 2; B. Appleyard ORudge), Wellington, 3. Time, lm 18 3-53.

Kilmister, on the ou«tside. completely outclassed the remainder of the field, riding wide at the first bend, to snatch the lead. Ho won by nearly half a lap from Goldberg. The other Wellington rider, Appleyard, was some distance behind, third. Cairns fell in the second round. Kilmister's •time was excellent.

Fourth Race.—A. Mattson (Matt-tfap). Auckland, 1; F. Day (Norton), Auckland, 2; A. Hunger (Norton), Wellington, 3. Time, lm 21 J -ss. Day went to the fore entering the first slide, but Mattson, riding wi'th rare abandon on the outside, was close on his heels. The two leaders rode wheel to wheel throughout the contest, with Hunger occupyipe third place some distance behind. The Auckland champion was seriously challenged by his team-mate a't the last bend, but he staved off defeat. NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP. . First Heat.—W. Kilmister (J.A.P.), "Wellington, 1; It. Cairns (Radge), Auckland, 2. Time, lm 21 2-ss. Kilmister took the lead at the outset, but Cairns fought gamely and almos't snatched victory. Second Heat.—'A. Mattson (Matt-Jap), Auckland. 1; C. Morgan (Norton), Auckland. 2. Time, lm 20 l-ss. Mattson won easily from Morgan. Third Heat.—C. Goldberg (Qoldjap), Auckland, 1; J. Cormack (Norton), Auckland, 2. Time, lm 21 l-ss. This event showed signs of developinp into a close con'lest, but Goldberg ran out an easy winner. Fourth Heat.—T. Butler (A.J.S.). Auckland, 1: D. Mattson (Norton), Auckland, 2. Time, lm 225. Early in the race Butler was challenged, but he had no difficulty in winning. First Semi-final.—A. Mattson (Matt-Jap). Auckland. 1: R. Cairns (Ma«tt-Rudge), Auckland, 2. Time, lm 20 2-ss. Mattson completely outclassed Kilmistor in this race. Although the latter fell in the concluding stages, he did not seem to have a chance of overcoming his Auckland rival, who won comfortably. Second Semi-final.—T. Butler (A..T.5.1, Auckland. 1; J. Cormack (Noi>ton), Auckland, 2. Time, lm 23 2-ss. A spectacular collision occurred at the end of the first round. The machines of Butler and D. Mattson bumped each other violently, the riders being hurled in opposite directions. Both received minor injuries. When the race was rerun Mat'tson was unable to start. Goldberg's motor faltered when he was in an almost unassailable position, to allow Butler to gain a comfortable victory over Cormack. Final.—A. Mattson (Ma'tt-Jap), Auckland. 1; R. Cairns (Matt-Rudge), Auckland, 2; T. Butler (A.J.S.), Auckland, 3. Time, lm 2.15. All four finalists were Auckland riders. Entering the first straight Mattson led Butler, with Cormack, who later wa3 dismounted. and Cairns following in that order. _ Although he could not overtake the Dominion champion, Cairns rode brilliantly to pass two men to assume second place. Ho showed splendid pace, especially in the second round. LEAP YEAR HANDICAP. First Heat.—R. Walters (Norton), limi't, 1: W. Herbert (Matt-Rudg?), 00yds bhd, 2. Time, lm 29 3-ss. Second Heat.—T. Butler (A.J.S.), 20yds bhd, 1; A. Way (.Rudge), 10yds bhd, 2. Time, lm 2G 4-ss. Third Heat.—S. Casey (Jtudgc). 15yds bhd. 1; S. Sheppard (Rudge), 20yds bhd, 2. Time, lm 27$s. Fourth Heat.—D. Mattson (Norton), 20yds bhd, 1; F. Lindesay (Rudge), limit, 2. Time, lm 275. Firs»t Semi-final.—T. Butler (A.J.S.), 20yds bhd, 1; W. Herbert (Matt-Rudge), 30vds bhd, 2. Time, lm 2G 2-ss. _ 1 Way was dismounted early in the race. The positions of the other three riders changed at every round, making an exciting race. From first position at tjie opening round Walters ended Ins-t. Ho was passed first by Butler, who won, and then by Herbert. Second Semi-final.—F. Lindesay (Rudge), limit, 1; S. Sheppard (Rudgo), 20yds bhd, 2. Time, lm 29 4-ss. Casey was left at tho start, owing to the reluctance of his machine to function readily. MaHtson fell when leading entering the second straight. Lindesay assumed first position, but he was fully extended by Sheppard. Final.—S. Sheppard (Rudge), 20vds bhd. 1: F; Lindesay (Rudge), limit, 2. Time, lm 295. Butler was scratched in this event, leaving Herbert, Sheppard and Lindesay to contest the honours. Herbert fell and Sheppard had no difficulty in beating Lindesay, the only other remaining contestant.