SKILL AND THRILLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20961, 26 February 1930, Page 6

SKILL AND THRILLS.

Interest in the opening of the new broadsiding speedway at Forbury Corner is growing apace, and a special trial by the riders on Monday night attracted an attendance of over 1000 spectators. The track is already beginning to look well, and the various riders have quickly got the feel of it* Some of the local riders showed splendid form, among them being “ Ginget" Inglis, who promises to develop into an intrepid broadsider, P. Lyders, L. H. Homer, J. Nesbit,- C. H. K. Napier, and S. W. Bishop, all of whom have shown excellent form as dirt track riders, and promise to do just as well on the cinders. Broadsiding is one of the (Host thrilling of all sptrts, and the Dunedin track is ideally suited o recordmaking. The straights are shorter than is the case in many other parts, which enables the riders to remain in a slide much longer than usual, the result being one thrill after another for the spectators. The big event of the evening at the opening Of the stadium to-night will be the international b g nine scratch race, which will be staged in three heats, the winners starting in the final. It should provide a tremendous struggle' the starters itfclnding some of the finest cinder track ridefg in Australia and New Zealand. These' include Harry Maugham (New •Zealand), W. Harvey (New Zealand), P. M‘Ghie (New Zealand), E. Naylor (New Zealand), C. Perabo (New South Wales). S. Perkins (New South Wales), M. Graham (New South Wales), and F. Bennisb (South Australia). The local handicap should be a spectacular event, an ’ a A Gmta handicap Will be another exciting race. The lighting of the track presents a brilliant spectacle. No fewer than 57 lights have been installed around the 440 yards circular track, and, as the Centre of the ground and the stands are in darkness during the progress of the faces the effect can ;aril,v be imagined. No pains have been spared to ensure the comfort of the spectators, and the erection of a breakwind at the back of the tiers of seats all the way round the ground is sufficient indication of this. The first event to-night will he started at 8 o’clock, the programme concluding at 10 o’clock. Tu addition to the oversea riders taking part, A Grade riders from Wellington and Christchurch will be among the competitors, and the introduction of the sport to Dunedin should be made under the most auspicious circumstances.

The competitors themselves ride in various colours, enabling the spectators to pick up quickly the various men, who arc in full view of the public throughout a race. The groat thrill in cinder track racing is occasioned when the riders go into a slide at the corners, and more than once in the north riders have rounded the bend hanging on with little more than one hand.