RACE POSTPONED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22616, 2 January 1937, Page 12

RACE POSTPONED

MOTOR-CYCLE TEOPHY TRACK IN DANGEROUS STATE FIXTURE FOR ANNIVERSARY DAY Well over .'SOO people who made the trip to Ostend yesterday tn witness the New Zealand Motor-cycle Tourist Trophy race learned with disappointment shortly after their arrival that the race had been postponed until January 29, on account pi the dangerous condition of the track. Rain for the past four days had softened, the clay underneath the surface metal and on some of the bends to such an extent that in at least five places the course was considered to be too dangerous to allow the race to proceed. Before the rain began to fall early yesterday morning, one or two riders went over the course and although no fast times wore recorded, it was not decided to postpone the race until the matter was considered by the committee controlling the event. Riders' Opinions Rain was falling when the president of the Auckland Motor-cycle Club, Mr. C'. Allen, arrived by boat from Auckland with other members of the committee, and an immediate inspection of tie course was made. The officials who made the inspection, Mr. J. Kay and Mr. J. Hediey, reported that the fire places previously mentioned were too dangerous to permit the race to be held without grave risk of accident. The riders also were questioned individually and eight said that if given their own choice they would not take part. Six said they would ride if they were told to, and three expressed their willingness to ride in any case. Two others were not available when the committee met and did not express an opinion. As there was little prospect of conditions improving in time to allow the race to be held to-day, it was finally decided to hold the event on Anniversary Day. Making the Best of It Several of the riders had come long distances to take part and although the postponement was naturally a disappointment to everyone . concerned, it was generally agreed that the decision was a wise one. "With light rain falling continuously until about three o'clock in the afternoon. the large crowd, which made the trip in the belief that the race was to be held wet or fine, proceeded to make the best of the day until the various excursion steamers left for home in the evening. A da.ice was arranged hv the Auckland Motor-cycle Club in the afternoon, and large numbers of the younger people took advantage of this opportunity to enjoy themselves. Older people returned to the ships and patiently awaited the hour of departure.