OTAGO MOTOR CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16238, 23 November 1914, Page 3

OTAGO MOTOR CLUB

HILL-CLIMBING CONTESTS.

The Otago Motor Club held a series of hill-climbing competitions at Signal Hill on Saturday afternoon. Tho hill road is fairly eteep, wth a couple of bad corners, and tho course to be covered was just under half a mile. The entries were somewhat disappointing, but those riders who did turn out —especially the motor cycliste—gave fins exhibitions of cool, but daring riding—and , cool riding wae required, seeing tho heavy north-efet wind which blew during part of tho afternoon. Captain Lacey and Mr T. Overton supervised tho laying of tho telephone wire from the starting post to the finish, and the electric timing apparatus worked without a hitch. The full thanks of members of the club and visitors are due to Mr and Mrs Paulin, whose residence is close to where the starting poet wae fixed, and who had gone to no end of trouble in providing afternoon tea, with cakes, sandwichee, pikelets, etc., these boing served on a beautifully green tree-encloeed lawn.

Most of the contests were decided on formula, but handicap events were also included. The formula was worked out on a basis of weight and horse-power of machine and the time occupied to travel the course.

Some Qne riding wae shown by theeeven competitors in Claes 1. Strain dashed over tho distanco in 42sec, whereas Scott (the winner on formula) took 44soc. W. D. Roebuck took 45 3-seec, J. Jamieeon 46 l-ssec, A. Duncan 47 l-ssec, J. M'Donald 1 75isec, J. Neill 61 l-ssec. Neill was expected to win, but had engine trouble.

In Class 2 M'Kieeock took 35 1-lOsco, M'Dougall 37 4-ssec, Finlay M'Donald 38 l-seec, M. Carnegie 40 4-58 ec, and F. Ourlino 42 l-saec.

Markham's time in the light car event (46 l-ssec) was a long way better than that of any of the other four competitors. M'Dougall being next with Msec. The lady competitor (Mrs Brown) crossed the line in 87eec—a very good performance. In the sidecar races M'Dougall took 48 l-secc to r.n the course, Finlay-M'Donaid 55sec, Gray 49sec, and Ansell oQsec. R. Black's time was 60sec, Norton Jonee'e 64scc, and A. E. Scott's 89eec.

In the remaining car event Dryden Rowan took 64eec, Geoff Clark 52sec, J. Braimvell 65Jsec, W. D. Roberta 71 4-ssec, and Roberts 66 3-seec.

Strain secured the prize for the best novice rider—and quite deserved the distinction.

Messrs Cooke, Howlison, and Co. gave a demonstration of the weight-carrying ability and speed of a 20 h.p. roadster Buick car, which travelsed the course, with no fewer than 12 passengers clinging to it, in lmin 45 l-ssec.

All the- officials of the club worked with their usual energy. The following are tho rosulte figured out by tho Awards Committee:--

Class 1 (motor cycles with engine capacity to 400 c.c.).—A. E. Scott, 173 pointe figuro of merit, 1; Eric Strain, 232 points, 2.

Class 2 (motor cycles with engine over 400 c.c.).— J. M'Kisaook, 208 pointe, 1; A. E. M'Dougall, 211 points, 2. Class 3 (motor cycles with sidecar, up to 500 c.o.).—A. E. M'Doiigall, 247 pointe, 1; F. M'Donald, 318 points, 2.

Class 4 (motor cycles and sidecare, ovrr 500 c.c.).— J. Gray, 331 points, 1; A. E. Ansell, 365 points, 2.

Class 5 (light care up to 1100 c.c.).—11. Maxkham, 245 points, 1; 11. Curline, 466 pointe, 2.

Class 6 (over 1100 c.c.).—Messrs Cooke, HowlJson'e entry, 380 points, 1; Mr S. Lawson's entry, 461 points, 2.

In the combined handicap for claeses 1 and 2 A. E. Scott secured first, place, with Eric Strain second; and in the combined handicap for clasws 3 and 4 M'Dougal! was first and J. Gray second. In the handicap for Class 6 Laweon'e entry gained first place, and J. Mafchcwson's second.