MOTOR-CYCLE RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21404, 31 January 1933, Page 7

MOTOR-CYCLE RACING

TOURIST TROPHY EVENT ONLY ONE RIDER FINISHES VICTORY FOR S. MOSES A series of mishaps resulting from the difficult nature of the course, and unexpected defects in machines, caused the retirement of eight of the nine; starters in tho third annual New Zealand Tourist Trophy race for motor-cycles, hold at Waiheke Island yesterday, under the auspices of tiie Auckland Motor-Cycle Club. The only man to finish was S. Moses, of Auckland, who covered 25 laps, a distance of 168 miles, in 3h 13m 0 l-5s on his T.T. Rudge, averaging about 52 miles an hour.

Over 1000 people, many of whom had travelled from Auckland, watched tho race, which never lacked interest in spite of the extraordinary number of crashes and retirements. Weather conditions were ideal, although riders found the track more difficult in places than was the case last year, and times suffered accordingly. The winner's time was slower than that taken by A. -Malison, last year's winner. Only One Serious Injury Although the winner, Moses,-' was the only rider who did not fall at any stage, only one competitor was hurt seriously, the others escaping with abrasions. 11. W. Yonren (Ariel 4), was running third in tho 17t.h lap when his motor left the road and plunged down a bank. The rider received a dislocation of the left shoulder, and after being attended by members -of the St. John Ambulance on duty at the island, he was brought to Auckland by steamer and later treated at the casualty ward of the Auckland Hospital. Competition was particularly keen, as two riders to represent New Zealand in the international Tourist Trophy races at the Isle of Man next June will bo chosen from the competitors in yesterday's race. The New Zealand Auto-Cycle Union, which will make the selection, was represented by Mr. B. Palmer, vice-president, Mr. A. Way, secretary, and Mr. C. Allen, Auckland delegate. It is considered likely that Moses will be one of the riders selected, as in addition to winning'yesterday's race, ho was first in 1931 and second last year. Start of Race A large proportion of ; the spectators assembled at the pits fo watch the start, tho first man away being A. Mattson (490 c.c. International Norton)', last year's winner, who accelerated from the line in gn<xl style. He was followed by L. Sowerby (343 c.c. Velocette), B. Bray (490 c.c. Norton), R. Loekelt, W-aihi (495 c.c. A.J.S.), L. Peri'y (349 c.c. Royal Enfield), H. Fletcher (490 c.c. Norton), C. Goldberg (499 c.c. 8.5.A.), If. W. Yonren (596 c.c. Ariel) and S. Moses (499 c.c. T.T. Rudge). The riders were sent away at intervals of 30s to prevent crowding on the narrow road. As soon as Youren had disappeared, spectators looked toward the winding road leading down the most hilly section, where Maltson was seen in a few minutes, going well.

Immediately 11.. Fletcher camo into view descending the mountain section his machine was seen to slido off: the l roadf. and a little later tho, rider brought his mount in slowly, having received abrasions to the left hand which prevented him from continuing. The next time round A. Mattson was missing, Sowerby having taken, the lead, and it was soon apparent that Mattson was in trouble. Sowerby slipped off his machine on the sharp corner near tho pits, but remounted immediately, continuing, with Bray close behind. . Only Seven Left In

Mattson ultimately. walked to the pits, and reported that his machine had left the road when tho rear brake seized, and the front wheel had been damaged so extensively that lie could not continue. Thus at the end of two laps, there were only seven riders left, and a little lator Bray took the lead from Sowerby. Until the beginning, of the sixth .lap,. Bray retained the lead, but the next time round ho was missing, Sowerby being ahead again, with Lockett close behind. Bray finally rode in slowly and retired, his clutch slipping to an extent that made it impossible for him to attain a racing speed. ■ . At this stage,.. Moses had moved up two places, being ahead of both Goldberg and Youren. On the seventh lap, Moses was* leading on time, although he was still some distance behind . Sowerby, Lockett and Perry, all of whom had started before him. Perry, whose tank was seen to be leaking badly, stopped on the seventh lap when his petrol was exhausted, and found the tank seriously cracked. His retirement reduced the field to five. More Mishaps Occur The first rider to refuel was Goldberg, who came in after eight laps and so fell back to last- position, Youren moving up to fourth. Entering the ninth lap, Moses, who was in third position, was actually leading by 55s from Sowerby, with Lockett third, a minute behind. Sowerby stopped for fuel and oil on tho 11th lap, getting away again without sacrificing his position. Lockett, wno had been riding steadily and well, was seen to be in difficulties after 14 laps, and an examination of his machine at the pits revealed a gearbox defect which prevented him from restarting. This permitted Youren to take third place, Goldberg still being last. After refuelling on the 15th lap, Moses took the lead in actual position, as well as on time the next time round, passing the pits 200 yards ahead of Sowerby, who had crashed and was carrying on with his handlebars bent at a grotesque angle. At this stage advice of Youren's crash was received, and only three, riders wore left, one having a damaged machine. Sowerby later called at tho pits for adjustments, but got away long before the arrival of Goldberg, who pushed his machine in with a broken push-rod. Moses Finishes Alone

At the beginning of the 17th lap Moses, the leader, had an advantage of seven minutes over Sowerby, the only other rider on the course. Sowerby's brakes were almost useless, but he continued doggedly, earning the admiration of the crowd. On the 241 h lap, however, .Sowerby did not appear, and Moses, who had ridden in faultless style, finished alone. A few minutes later Sowerby camo in on Youren's machine, his own motor having broken a rocker-arm, which robbed him of what had appeared a certain second place. The failure of his motor was particularly unfortunate, as a similar incident two years ago prevented him from winning the first race of the series. The Dominion T.T. Cup was later presented to Moses by Mr. Palmer, vicepresident of. the Auto-Cycle Union, who congratulated the winner on his excellent performance. Moses also made the best lap time, 7m 325, for 6jj miles. Mr. Palmer later presented a miniature and a framed certificate to A. Mattson, Inst year's winner. Cheers were given for 'tho two successful riders, and also for Sowerby, who had carried on in spite of great difficulties until his motor failed. Wireless communication between the pits and a point approximately half-way round tho courso was maintained by members of the Northern Depot, New Zealand Corps of Signals. Progress reports of riders' positions on the' section of the course, not visible from the .pits,were thus available. . - .. , ....... . .'