TOURIST TROPHY RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22615, 31 December 1936, Page 12

TOURIST TROPHY RACE

TO-MORROW'S CONTEST FAST MACHINES COMPETING Although the total entries received for the New Zealand Tourist Trophy race, which is to be decided at Waihekc to-morrow, numbered 21, one more than last year, when entries closed last week, it is quite certain that not more than 19 competitors will now face the starter. The accident to Charlie Goldberg, last year's winner, on .Monday last, deprived the race of one ot the most likely competitors. Goldberg had brought out a machine from England and was tuning it himself. It was considered likely that lie would probably be one of the hardest men to beat on the day. The other competitor who will he unable to start on account of an accident while training on Friday last is D. McDonagh. Owing to the bad weather practising was abandoned for the lirst time yesterday morning, but it is hoped that conditions will have improved sufficiently to enable the 18 riders now on the island to take a final run over the track this morning.

Interest in tho race this year has been increased by the appearance of former racing " stars " and in two or threo cases they have been provided with special racing machines for the event. Alf. Mattson will be riding the special Velocette that won last year in the hands of Charlie Goldberg and his chances are very bright, while Len Sowcrby has a special racing model Levis machine which is reputed to bo very fast and reliablo. Sowcrby is an experienced rider and has been placed in the New Zealand Tourist Trophy on former occasions. Jack Diile, who finished second last year, is riding the Rudge that has won threo Tourist Trophies and should give another good account of himself. Another rider who is expected to do well is L. Perry. Perry has put up some very fast times in the practice laps during tho past week and on 1 uesdny morning he succeeded in breaking the larecord by four seconds. It has been decided to hold the race to-morrow whether conditions are wet or lino.