MOTOR-CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21276, 1 September 1932, Page 5

MOTOR-CYCLING

WAITEMATA CLUB'S EVENT FINAL ARRANGEMENTS MADE A course of about 60 miles has been selected for tho one-day trial to bo held next Sunday by tho Waitemata Motorcycle Club. Clay sections have been reduced to a minimum on tho route chosen, but several parts of the courso where good riding is demanded will be observed sections. In making their selection tho organisers have endeavoured to choose a route that will not prove too difficult and at the samo time afford good sport, so that the rider of a light-weight twostroko machine will compete on an equal basis with heavier machines and stand a fair chance of winning the premier award. The trial, which will bo open to all riders, whether members of the club or not, will commence at tho junction of Great South Road and Manukau Road, Newmarket, the route cards being issued at 9.30 a.m. at tho starting line. Tho first man will be despatched at 10.1 a.m. A luncheon stop of ono hour is included in tho schedule, and the final limo check will bo at the Titirangi Hotel, where tho [ first competitor is expected to arrive at j 3.30 p.m. [ Certain parts of tho course havo been specially scheduled for sidecars, but riders in this class will not bo eligible for the main award unless three entries aro received, in which caso there will bo a special award. At a committee meeting on Tuesday evening the treasurer reported that there had been a considerable increase in membership, and that tho financial position of tho club was very favourable. A general meeting js to be held next week. THE DUTCH TOURIST TROPHY The Dutch Tourist Trophy races held recently near Assen, Holland, provided once again incontrovertible evidence that British riders and British-made motorcycles aro of tho best in the world. In tho 500 c.c. class there were 28 starters, four being British, and yet Britain gained first, second and third places. In the 350 c.c. class, 17 riders faced the starter. Only three were British, but they again secured the first three places. The samo victory was achieved in tho other two classes. There "were foyr Englishmen in the 250 c.c. class and they took the first four places. There was only one British representative among the 175 c.c. motors, but the rider maintained the prestige of h:s country by winning against all comers. The results were:— 500 c.c. Class.—P. Hunt (Norton). 1; S. "Woods (Norton), 2 ; G. Walker (Rudge), 3. Hunt and Woods finished within lg of each other, the third man being three minutes behind. He was four minutes aheadvof the leading foreign machine. 350 c.c. Class.—S. Woods (Norton), 1; P. Hunt (Norton), 2; H. G. Tyrell-Smith (Rudge), 3. Hunt was 3s behind the winner, with Smith two minutes further back. 200 c.c. Class.—E. A. Mellors (New Imperial), 1; S. Gleave (New Imperial), 2; G. L. Davenport (New Imperial), 3: G. Nott (Budge), 4. The four Britishers finished within two minutes, the first foreign riders being ninp minutes behind tho winner. E. Fernihough (Excelsior) won the 175 c.c. event with a margin of 3£ minutes. TirE " CAMSHAFT " NORTON ' Experience gained in many years of successful road and track racing is responsible for the advanced design of the latest 490 c.c. overhead camshaft Norton, one o;t the finest sporting mounts in tho world. The machine differs from the famous " International " model which has won most of the principal races on the Continent this year, only in minor details, and has a particularly fine performance. The latest Norton is neat in appearance, and tho motor and other components are mounted compactly, but with due attention to accessibility. On the road, the model is fascinating to handle, as in spite of its speed and fierce acceleration, it is amazingly docile if driven in a sober manner. The motor is sensitive to the spark control, and it is not advisable to attempt " pottering " on top gear, but the footchange mechanism is simple to op'erate, and an early change results in fast acceleration as soon as an opening occurs. One of the most outstanding features of tho machine iu the high average that can be maintained in perfect safety, thanks to excellent balance and good brakes, coupled with a highly-efficient engine. Cornering at speed is delightful, and even on a corrugated surfaco there is no tendency to deviate from a straight course. Tho brakes are powerful enough to lock tho rear wheel :in an emergency, but tho machine slides straight, and the rider has no need to worry over unexpected skids. Tho latest model is a worthy addition to a range already famous in every country where British motor-cycles aro known and respected. '