MOTOR CYCLE RACES

Southland Times, Issue 21658, 21 March 1932, Page 4

MOTOR CYCLE RACES

THRILLING SPORT.

EVENTS AT ORETI BEACH. A more perfect day could not have been found by the officials of the Southland Motor Cycle Club for their last beach meeting of the season held at Oreti Beach on Saturday afternoobn. The afternoon was warm and sunny, with practically no wind, and under the circumstances it is surprising that the races did not attract a larger attendance. .With the beach in good order, the races were exciting in the extreme, every event ending with a close finish. Visibility along the beach was exceptionally good and the spectators were able to keep the riders in view even when they were at the far end of the beach. Although there were no spills, the riding of the competitors was sufficiently daring to provide excitement. Several riders from Dunedin travelled down to take part in the races and two of their number, A. I. Homer and J. Hayes, experienced a fair measure of success. Hom. er secured a second and a third and Hayes two seconds, the former winning £1 1/- in prize money and the latter £2 2/-. Easily the most successful rider of the afternoon was G. J. Winton, who won three races. W. G. Jones secured two wins, while H. J. Munro was the winner of the remaining event. Altogether Minton won £ll 11/- in prize money, Jones and Munro secured £5 5/- each, while R. R. Tall, another successful rider, won £2 2/-. For all the events the entries were large and as a result competition was keen. The issue of every race was in doubt until the finish, the work of the club’s handicapper (Mr L. Tattersfield) being commended. In several events fractions of a second separated the first three riders.

Although rope barriers were placed along the beach to keep the spectators from the course, small knots of people persisted in straying on the beach and in several instances they were in the way of the riders. Unless some action is taken to prevent this there is bound to be an accident sooner or later. It would be to the advantage of the club to place longer barriers along the beach.