BROADSIDING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21197, 1 December 1930, Page 10

BROADSIDING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—May 1 encroach on your space to draw attention to a few facts in relation to Saturday night's broadsiding? The times quoted are as given by the announcer. First, I would like to know the position with regard to the grading of competitors. In the B Grade Handicap were 12 riders, six of whom had competed earlier as A Grade men. A rider in the A Grade event recorded the fastest time of the night (exclusive of the record attempt) at 89 2-ssec, and that from a standing start! His designation next appeared as B Grade, the heat of which event he won easily by superb riding. Is there, then, really no distinction between tbe A and B Grades? If there is, the second-rate men are being unfairly treated. Secondly, are the local' meetings actually being run under the A.C.U. and S.A. rules? It did not appear to be so on Saturday. In the special match race between Miller, Easier, and Nesbit, “match race ’’ rules were operative. Very well, let us take an extract from them; “Match races . . . shall always be over the distance of approximately one mile.” Are the rules so elastic as to allow of a variation of a quarter of a mile, as only three laps were run in each heat? Again, “If either rider . . , shall stop owing to mechanical trouble in his first lap, the race shall be stopped and re-run.” When Nesbit’s machine stopped before completion of a first lap, was the race re-run? No. Why, then, when Miller fell in another heat, was the race re-run! Evidently more stretching of the rules. Also, on the northern tracks riders “looking round” ate either fined or disqualified. Yet here one rider in particular “ looked round ” for his rival at every bend. Thirdly, ore the times given out correct, or are they just haphazard guesses by the timekeepers? If they are correct, what is the matter with the performances of the imported “crack” riders? Are they out to race or to give an exhibition run? For instance, take these times from the actual races. .Young does a mile in 89 2-ssec from a standing start, but neither Mangbam nor Unwin, from a rolling start, can get below 92sec. Yet Young’s name was not even mentioned in the advertisements, though his true form was evident to those who had observed him practising. Again, from a standing start, Maugham’s best time of 97 l-ssec was beaten by three B Grade riders (Lyders 96 2-ssec, Homer 94 l-ssec. Young 89 2-ssec and 96 •?- ! vwel In the final of the A Grade Handicap, Young beat Mangham, which is not surprising when Mangham’s record time for the mile, rolling start, is 88 3-ssec, and Young, from a standing start, can do it in 89 2-ssec.

Also. Miller did three laps in 65sey At an average of 22sec per lap, the mile would be covered in 88 see. Alternatively, one 'ap would be covered in less .than one second outside the record of 21 I-ssee Perhaps the reason for the Big Three Points Race being three laps was to disguise the fact that the Dunedin men are at least as good as the “stars." IE not. I would, with many others, like to know the true purpose of the thrce-lau event.

From a study of the foregoing times, assuming them to be correct, one cun only infer that the so-called champions either have not shown their true form or are outclassed by the local riders. If the latter is so, let the management cease wasting time with special matches and provide an extra race for our own riders, who at least do not shut off if they think they are outclassed. I am not trying to question the undoubted sportsmanship of any of the outside men, but Saturday night’s times speak for themselves. I am .an entirely unbiased spectator, who attended every meeting last year, but' shall not continue to do so this season if we have to watch “stars ’ do three or more races at slower speeds than those of the ordinary men. Judging from the remarks of those around m_e on Saturday, I am not alone in my views.—l am, etc., „ , Friend. • Dunedin, November 30.