Sport Awheel

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22498, 15 August 1936, Page 13 (Supplement)

Sport Awheel

LITTLE LOCAL INTEREST APPEAL TO DRIVERS An appeal to sporting motorists to •support the New Zealand Motor Racing Drivers' Association was made by Mr. L. J. Ha r ley, when proposing tlie toast of "Kindred Clubs" at the association's recent sinoko concert. Recalling tlio days before the formation of the present body, Mr. Harley spoko of the oldtime enthusiasts in Auckland who used to race for the fun of it and nothing else. Many of these peoplo appeared to have lost their enthusiasm. The depression had a bad effect on the sport, which was a fairly expensive ono, but with the return of better times there was no reason why there should not bo u revival of interest. To arouse the interest of both tho public and drivers, Mr. Harley suggested that more meetings and events be staged. There should bo full cooperation with the motor-cycle clubs when arranging race meetings. Racing drivers in New Zealand had few of tho advantages possessed by overseas men, who received generous support from wholesalers. Replying to tho toast, Mr. Georgo Campbell, an early racing stalwart in Auckland, referred to tho old unofficial club that existed to promote road races from Auckland to Wellington. "Those were in tho days before traffic "cops," Mr. Campbell remarked sadly. Mayors used to welcome tho record-breakers with open ams, but to-day, thanks to acts of Parliament, policemen would welcome such peoplo with handcuffs. TRIBUTE TO RACER A tribute was paid to Mr. It. A. Dexter, junior, at the New Zealand Motor Racing Drivers' Association's smoke concert by the chairman, Mr. George Smith, who said that after some of tho crashes Dexter had had many young men would have lost their nervo. This was not so. however, with Dexter, who seemed to become more keen every year. "I think ho is one of tho pluckiest drivers in tho Dominion," Mr. vSinith said.