MOTOR-CYCLE RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21712, 30 January 1934, Page 13

MOTOR-CYCLE RACING

TOURIST TROPHY EVENT S. MOSES AGAIN SUCCESSFUL THIRD WIN IN FOUR YEARS The New Zealand Tourist Trophy race for motor-cycles, which was holu yesterday over a road course of 168 miles at Waiheke Island, under the auspices of the Auckland Motor-cycle Club, was won by S. Moses (499 c.c. Budge), Auckland, for the third time since the event was inaugurated in 1931. His time was 3h 14m 30s. The event was keenly contested by 21 of the leading riders in tho Dominion, and was witnessed by about 1000 people, many of whom had travelled specially from the city. iln spito of the gruelling nature of tlie contest, and tho fast lap times recorded by many individual riders, there were no serious mishaps to competitors. Most riders foil at one stage or another, and although one or two suffered minor abrasions the majority escaped unhurt. Trouble with machines was frequent, as i 3 invariably the case in such ovenls, there being only one or two riders, including the winner, who did not have to slop in the courso of the race. Start of the Race The lithe racing machines, stripped of all accessories, but carrying mudguards to comply with the regulations governing Tourist Trophy races, attracted tho interest of enthusiastic spectators prior to tho race. According to tho places drawn by tho riders the machines were lined rip at the pits and tho competitors wero sent away at 20s intervals. With tho exception of J. Dale (•199 c.c. diudge), Auckland, whose motor would not start until tho other men had covered fivo laps, the field went away well, prominent riders being cheered by the crowd. Tho ultimate winner, Moses, started fifth in leisurely style, smoking a cigarette and apparently allowing his motor to warm beforo using any speed. Tho first man round was A. Mattson (491) c.c. Norton), Auckland, who had passed A. Morgan (3-18 c.c. Velocette), Hamilton, to take tho lead. C. Goldberg (34U c.c. J.A.P.), Auckland, also improved his position on tho initial lap. Tho experienced men quickly sorted themselves out, although it was apparent that many of the visiting riders had made excellent use of the practico period. B'. Bray (490 c.c. Norton), Auckland, closed up on Moses, the two men passing tho pits in close company after covering two laps. The Fastest Lap Calls a£ tho pits for reppirs commenced early, H. Tetley (490 c.c. Norton), Auckland, coming in after one lap to remove a stand that had become loose. Tho next time round ho stopped to replaco an oil-pipo union, and was delayed for somo time. .R. McLeod (490 c.c. To Puke, stopped after three laps to adjust his footrests, while A. Bradley (499 c.c. Rudge), Nelson, commenced a long series of stops with fork trouble, -bray's misfortunes also commenced early, spjirking-plugs causing repeated delays. The fastest lap of tho day was made by Mattson, who covered the distance of 15} miles in 7m 1 4-ss, a record, tho seventh time round. At this time he was leading. \V. Grey (490 c.c. Norton), Rotorua, and H. Poland (346 c.c. New Hudson), Otorohanga, both encountered valve trouble in the sixth lap and retired. News was then received at the pits that A. Perry (348 c.c. Velocette), Hamilton, who had completed only one lap, had fallen the second time round and damaged his rear brake, so that lie was unable to continue. After his motor had burned out three sparking plugs Bray retired. Similar trouble soon overtook Mattson, who lost his lead to L. Hansom (495 c.c. A.J.S.), Wellington. Machine Climbs Bank A thrill was provided by L. Sowerby (34S c.c. Velocette), Auckland, at the end o£ tho ninth lap. He approached a corner at high spoed, and his machine left the road and climbed a bank. The rider was not unseated, however, und he regained tho road without stopping. Tho Wellington man, Ransom, who impressed the crowd with his excellent style, lost his position at tho head of tho field before long, a fall resulting in a minor injury_ that put him out of the race. Another rider who led for a time, M. Silicli (490 c.c. Norton), Auckland, was also unfortunate, a broken primary chain putting his mount out of action. Tho lead changed hands with exceptional frequency, Sowerby being ahead after 12 laps. A burned-out bearing caused his retirement shortly after, and Moses then took the position at the head of tho greatly reduced field. Tho 13th lap was unlucky for Mattson, as eparking-plug trouble caused a long delay. A Good Performance A Hamilton representative, A. McLaren (348 c.c. A.J.S.), gave one of the finest performances of tho day. on a machine eeven years old. For many laps he was second only to Moses, and at one stage ho whs actunlly ahead. A broken push-rod eventually spoiled his chances of success. Motor trouble accounted for Morgan, while one of the two South Island men. C. R. Allen (493 c.c. Sunbeam), Blenheim, retired after picking up a puncture. ' Entering tho 18th lap Moses was a lap and a-half ahead of Goldberg, while W. Robins (348 c.c. Velocette), Whangarei, who eventually finished second, had moved into third place. B. Smith (348 c.c. Norton), Whitford, who rode a steady race, commenced to close up, but Bradley, who had frequent pit stops to mar his fine riding, lost a number of spokes from his rear wheel and withdrew. Robins was left second to Moses when Goldberg was delayed with carburetter trouble. Mattson, who had been "nursing" a temperamental motor, then lying third. He was obliged to give up, however, after covering 21 of the 25 laps. Moses Wins Easily

Looking ns unruffled as when lie started, Moses finished over two laps ahead ol the other placed men, and wan given an rnIhusinstic reception. On time. Robins was second, Smith third and Goldberg fourth, while riders still on the course 20 minutes after Mose3 finished were L. Perry (U4B c.c. Velocelte), Auckland; R. McLcod. and E. R. Anderson (490 c.c. Norton), Auckland, who rode a steady if slow race on an old mount. Tho results are subject to official confirmation. No announcement, was made yesterday in connection with the awarding of Iho Moses Clip for tbe best firsts/car rider, and the special prize fcr the rider of tho .first unplaced 350 c.c. machine to finish. It is considered likely that Moses' fine performance yesterday, coupled with his previous record of successes, will result in Jiis selection again this year to represent New Zealand in the international Tourist Trophy races at the Isle of Man. Last year, Moses, as the Dominion representative paired a replica in the junior event at the Isle of Man, and was also presented with a special award for pluck and endurance. Details of the New Zealand Tourist Trophy winners sinco 1931, with their times, are as follows: Time Winner Machine h ni s *1931 . . S. Moses Rudge 2 45 12 .1932 .. A. Mattson Norton 3 11 58 1-5 193.! , . S. Moses Pudge 3 13 0 1-5 . . S. Moses Rudgc 3 I t 30 'The first event was over a distance of 135 miles.