THRILLING EVENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17145, 30 December 1929, Page 10

THRILLING EVENTS

j MOTOR-CYCLISTS AT PARK 11 GOOD HORSE COMPETITIONS Spectators at the Mardi (Jras sports at tho Park racecourse on Saturday attemobn were treated to sonic thrilling performances in tho motor-cycle events, which constituted -the greatest attraction of the function, and the standard oi' tho racing was unexpectedly high, each event producing a close and interesting finish. Three visiting riders competed in the races, 0. Lundius (Palmerston North), and H. Harker and H. W. Tolley (Hastings), and at. the conclusion of the programme the latter two men, together with H. J. Stevenson, a daring loial rider, participated in an excellent exhibition race from a rolling start. Tho visitors were* neck and neck practically throughout the course, passing and repassing one another, hut never letting more than a yard or two separate them, while Stevenson, who rode a good race, was never far behind, and on one occasion drew level with the other two. In the last lap, however, Tolley had the great misfortune to have his machine "konk out" on him, and he was compelled to withdraw from the field, leaving Harker with a clear run to victory. Colin Leach, a young rider who showed great daring and clever management of his machine, met with ill-luck on the second lap of the first race, his cycle skidding on the rough track and spilling him when he appeared almost certain of winning the event. Despite the speed at which he was travelling and the fact that his head and body were unprotected, he was unhurt apart from a few abrasions and a severe shaking, and appeared none the worse for his mishap when he returned to the pad-1 dock. ' 1 The horse events were almost equally interesting, some excellent performances being seen in the leaping classes, while the other equestrian events also produced some clever horsemanship. The entries, too, were good, and competition was keen, the classes generally being most satisfactory.. Another interesting addition to the programme, was an acceleration test for automobiles, and although there were only three entrants, the competition was followed with enthusiasm. Another novel and entertaining event was a station hack race over a distance of five furlings, the race being won by ft small margin. The weather conditions were ideal for the function, and th© attendance increased considerably as the afternoon wore on. Credit is due to the organiser, Mr. John Hopkins, for the manner in which the. mooting was conducted, to Mr. A. M. desßarres, who had charge of the horse events, and to the* judges, Mr. E. Fitzgerald (horse events), and Messrs. F. Tolerton and J. McLeod (motor-cycle events) Additional results were as follow : HOBSE. EVENTS' Open jump (12 entries): J. Jobson 1, Mrs. Nicholas 2, L. Woodward 3. • Flag race (6 entries): J. Jobson 1, C. Cooper 2. Hunters' jump (11 entries): Mrs. 'Nicholas 1, W; Ingram 2, B. Fen ton 3. Tony leaping match (7 entries): C. Cooper 1, Miss Ormerod 2, Miss Parkinson 3 - .' , Station hack race, of five furlongs: R. Boyd 1, J. Jobson (B. Buckland up) 2, U.' H. .Coper (H. Cooper up) 3. Also started: B. Russell, L. Woodward ('Shanks: up). Time. 1.9 4-5. AUTOMOBILE EVENT , Acceleration test for six-cylinder cars: ' A. M. desßarres (Marquette) 1, J. Stein (Chrysler) 2, M. L. Holden (Chrysler) '6. j MOTOR-CYCLE EVENTS Professional race, df six laps: H. Harker, 2J Zenith (15sec.) 1; H. W. , Tolley, 2| A.J.S. (lOsec.) 2; H. J. I Stephenson, 2| Rex-Acme (45sec.) 3. lime, 7.14 3-5. Also' started: 0. [ Lrtindius, 2f Indian (scr.j. , , The limit man, Stephenson, was 40yds. ' ahead of Harker at the end of the first i lap, ; while Tolley was a short distance further back, and the scratch man had f reduced his disadvantage slightly. Entering the straight after going round for the second time, Harker drew ahead ■ of Stephenson, and Tolley was seen to bo closing on the other two slightly. Lundius was about the same distance behind as before, but his machine developed a fault oiv the turn out of the straight, and lie was compelled to pull out of the race. Tho cud of the third (ap saw Harker increase his lead on the local rider, and in the back stretch Tolley, who had been drawing closer all the way, flew past Stephenson, and set off after the other Hastings rider. Only a few yards separated Harker, Tolley, and Stephenson in that order in the back stretch, and Tolley reduced Harker's load by a short distance. Tob ley was level with Harker's back wheel when they passed the stand, for the fifth time, and at the bend Stephenson closed on the pair, the three riders being almost neck and neck along the War stretch. Stephenson lost ground a* the turn out of, the back stretch, and Harker and Tolley raced together down : the straight in one of the iriost thrilling finishes ever seen on the local course, Harker getting- the decision by less than half the length of his machine. In the professional race of five; laps, the rfesiilt of which was published on ' Saturday,' an almost equally exciting , finish between the same threo -riders wqs witnessed. Stephenson, the limit ! titan, had a substantial lead at the end 1 0» the first lap, but Harker and Tolley I wore chasing him, and when they turn\ev out of the straight for the second' I time Harker was in>. closer touch with i Stephenson, and Tolley was gating cm them both, being not more than 30yds. behind. Lundins was picking up slightly, but it was obvious even at this stage that he had no chance of overhauling the leaders. Harker and Tolley passed Stephens6n on the back stretch, and the three raced down the straight with about 20yds. between each. Lundius still being well brick. At the end of thd t fourth lap' Harker was in front, With i Stephenson only a short distance be- < hind Tolley, but at the entrance to the I back stretch Tolley snatched the lead, ; and down the straight he and Harker? raced almost neck and nock, Tolley getting the decision by half the length of >< liis machine, while Stephenson was close j on Harker's tail. The timo was 6.12 2-5. . ■ .