BEACH RACING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26348, 31 December 1946, Page 6

BEACH RACING

MOTOR CYCLE RALLY OTAGO RIDERS SUCCESSFUL Long Beach was in fair order for the third day of the Otago Motor Cycle Club’s Cnristmas rally yesterday, wnen a programme of neach races was run off. There were bumps in mid-course, and the turns had to be negotiated with care, especially in the late races of the day, when the sand had become churned up. The course was firm, but the incoming tide forced the use of softer sand higher up the beach, and the machines were tailing a heavy spray in the last races. There was a good sprinkling of spectators along the sandhills, many having taken advantage of the fine weather to make a picnic day of the meeting, but the cold wind of the late afternoon had thinned the gallery considerably by the time the last event was run off. E. Smither, the local champion, had something of a field day, and his best effort was probably that of the last race, when he brought his Norton roaring past the tape seconds ahead of the other riders. M. Sparrow, the 350 c.c. champion, was also riding well. H. Burke, who has been showing up consistently well throughout the season, rode well in the A.C.TJ. Championship Race, staying amongst the leaders throughout. Among the visiting riders, N. Holland, the Christchurch champion, did not start, as his machine was giving trouble. He will, however, be among the. starters in the South Island challenge road races in Kaikorai Valley tomorrow. J. Swarbrick, also from Christchurch, was riding a particularly fast machine, but seemed to be set back by bad luck, and did not put up the performance which was expected. The results of yesterday’s races were as follows: Novice 350-500 One-lap Dash (clutch start).—J. McKay 1, D. Miller 2, H. Burke 3. Time, 2min 54 4-ssec. One-mile Dash (standing clutch start).—E. Smither 1, T. Udall 2, J. Crawford 3. Time, 41 4-ssec. 350-500 C.C. A.C.U. 20-mile South Island Championship (rolling start).— E. Smither (Norton) 1, T. Udall (8.5. A.) 2, H. Burke (Triumph) 3. Time, 19min 34 3-ssec. One-lap Handicap.—M. Sparrow 1, M. Alexander 2, R. Holland 3. Time, 2min 7 3-ssec Ten-lap Open Handicap (clutch start).—E. Smither 1, M. Sparrow 2, J. McKay 3. Time, lOmin 46 3-ssec. Four-lap Experts’ Challenge for Otago Christmas Championship (scratch, clutch start).—E. Smither 1, J. Swarbrick 2, M. Sparrow 3. Time. 3min 23 2-ssec.