SPEEDWAY RACES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22968, 21 February 1938, Page 19

SPEEDWAY RACES

EXCITING CONTESTS midget cars and cycles EVENTS AT WESTERN SPRINGS Many thrills were provided at the \\ ©stern Springs Stadium on Saturday night, when a further series of international midget car and cycle races was hold. There was a large attendance. Warm applause was earned by tho New Zealand drivers, J. Stewart and J. Mathieson, who finished first and second respectively in the final of the Segetin Trophy Handicap against strong American competition. One of the most interesting motor-cycle events was tho final of tho St. Heliers Bay Handicap, which was won by A. Mattson after an exhibition of fast and skilful riding, liesults were as follows:—MISSION BAY HANDICAP First Heat.—A. Mattson. llOyda bhd. 1; Harding, limit, 2; S. Casey, doyds bhd. :i. Perry fell. Time, lm \i~s. Muttson came up fast in tho third lap and, maintaining speed, overtook Harding at the last turn to win by five yards. Second Heat.—B. Cairns, {SOyds bhd, 1; H. Falls, limit, 2; B. Smith, 40yds bhd, 3. C. Buchanan fell. Time, lm 37 2-ss. From a good start Buchanan gained an early lead, but fell in the third lap, allowing Cairns to win comfortably. Final.—Mattson, 1; Cairns, 2; Falls, !5. Harding fell. Time, lm 28 2-ss. Harding led until he fell in. the third lap, and Mattson went ahead to win by GOyds.

SEGETIN" TROPHY HANDICAP First Heat. —B. Simmons, 100 yds bbd, 1; P. Swedberg, 120 yds bhd, 2; A. Tuckett, (iOyds bhd, 3. S. Lindskog was fourth. Time, lm 26 3-ss. Simmons ran into the lead near the finish and beat Swedberg by 10yds. Second Heat. —V. Podurgiel, 80yds bhd, !l; G. Beavis, 50yds bhd, 2; D. Carter, 90yds bhd, 3. M. Danks retired. Time, lm 555. Podurgiel won by a good margin, after taking the lead in the last lap. The cars covered five laps instead of tho usual four. Third Heat. —J. Stewart, 30yds bhd, 1; J. Mathieson, GOyds bhd,'2; A. Dexter, 80yds bhd, 3. S. Casey was fourth. Time, lm 29 3-ss. The finishing order of the placed drivers was held from an early stage, Stewart winning by 20yds. . Final.—Stewart, 1: Mathieson. 2; Swedberg, 3. Simmons was fourth. Time, lm 30 l-ss. This was one of the best races of the evening. After leading most of the distance Stewart withstood a* strong challenge by Mathieson in the final straight and won by a length. Swedberg and Simmons were close UP ' ST. HELIERS BAY HANDICAP First Heat.—C. Buchanan, 70yds bhd, 1; B. Smith, 40yds bhd, 2; H. Falls, limit, 3. S. Casey fell. Time, lm 33 3-ss. Buchanan led the field early, but was closely pursued by Smith, whom he defeated by five yards. Second Heat. —A. Mattson. 140 yds bhd. 1; B. Cairns, 50yds bhd, 2; Harding, limit, 3. L. Perry fell. Time, lm 213 4-os. Mattson had the race in hand early and won by 30yds. _ . Final.—Mattson, 1; Smith, 2; Buchanan. 3. Cairns retired. Time, lm 24 3-ss. This was the fastest race of the evening, Mattson forging ahead in the last lap to win comfortably. AMERICAN NOVELTY RACE V Podurgiel, 1; B. Simmons, 2; S. Lindskog 3. Four started in this amusing event, in which each driver had to leave his car after two laps, kiss a girl on the sideline and then continue the race. In_ a sprint to the judge by foot over the final straight Podurgiel won by five yards. AUSTRALIAN PURSUIT RACE G. Beavis, 1; S. Lindskog, 2; V. Podurgiel 3. Many thrills were provided in this event, in which each competitor was eliminated when overtaken by the man behind. There were seven starters. CONSOLATION RACE s. Lindskog, 70yds bhd, 1; A. Dexter, 50yds bhd, 2; A. Tuckett, 70yds bhd, 3. P. Casey retired. Time, lm 30 1-oS. Thiß was a closely-contested race, Lindskog winning ny 15yds after a final sprint. MAIN EVENT P Swedberg, 150 yds bhd, li J. Mathieson, 40yds bhd, 2; V Podurgiel, 90yds bhd, 3 B. Simmons was fourth., lime, 4m 18s. Mathieson led in the early stages, but was overtaken by Swedberg, who won by a small margin. .