Power-Boat Racing

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 283, 20 February 1928, Page 7

Power-Boat Racing

FLEETWING RETAINS CUP MISS AKARANA WINS AGAIN Championship races for speedboats and outboard motor-boats were held on the Whau River on Saturday, when the New Zealand Power-Boat Association conducted its annual regatta. The speed boats raced on a course from the starting line off Robertson’s Point down river to the old wharf, and back again, the number of laps varying with the particular demands of each race. The outboards were sent up stream over five and seven-mile courses, divided into mile laps. Two accidents marred the speed-boat handicaps, the first race of the programme. Shortly after completing the first lap Baby Dev and Miss Cheltenham broke down and had to retire. Baby Dev had struck magneto trouble and the men of Miss Cheltenham whose engine suffered a breakage sportingly handed over their “mag” to the other boat, w’hich was able to race again during the afternoon.

In the first outboard race Fleetun and ’Op It caught fire, the former had to retire and the other lost several seconds when in a leading position. Most interest centred in the speed-boat championship race of the province. While making a smart swing about Hobo carried away her rudder when in a likely place for a win. Fleetwing Junior, holder of the Provincial Cup, put up a dashing performance, her owner, Mr. C. J. Collings, commodore of the association, handling his powerful machine with remarkable judgment. Bonzo won the general handicap after running a good race.

DETAILS OF THE RACINCf SPEED BOAT HANDICAP This event was started on the Mark Foy system. There were seven starters. Times at end of first lap:—Hobo, 2h 52m 325; Spot 111., 2h 52m 365; Baby Dev, 2h 53m 18s; Miss Northeote, 2h 53m 275; Fleetwing Junior, 2h 54m 275; Miss Cheltenham, 2h 54m 40s; Bonzo, 2n 54m 465. Shortly after completing the first round Baby Dev, which had made a splendid turn, broke down and retired. A similar fate overtook Miss Cheltenham, which also was forced out. Fleetwing Junior made a bad turn and lost several seconds. Result:— Hobo (2m 555), 2h 5Sm 59s 1 Fleetwing Junior (scr and 10s late), 3h 0m 5s 2 Spot 111. (3m 455), 3h 0m 16s .... 3 Also finished: Bonzo (32s and 4s late), 3h 0m 525; Miss Northeote (3m 455). 3h lm 555. Baby Dev and Miss Cheltenham did not finish. OUTBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP (For Burt Gold Cup) There were nine starters of various shapes and sizes in this event, which was contested over a course about five miles long, consisting of five mile laps. At the end of the first lap 'Op It led Miss Akarana by 10yds, but the positions were reversed at the end of the second. 'Op It caught fire and lost several seconds. The rest were strung out well astern. At the end of the fourth lap Miss Akarana had a lead of 100yds

from ’Op It, which had met with further trouble.

Result:— Miss Akarana, 3h 30s 44s 1 'Op It, 3h 31m 25s 2 Kurly Kale, 3h 32m 3s 3 Also finished: Peggy, 3h 32m 41s; Bacteria, 3h 32m 445; Rose Marie, 3h 34m 38s; Phyllis, 3h 34m 38s. Fleetun caught fire and had to withdraw. Caille also broke down.

Miss Akarana beat ’Op It by 41s. although at the end of the second mile. ’Op It was leading her rival by 525. Kurly Kale was running well, but was not fast enough for the others. Miss Akarana won the outboard championship of New Zealand at Russell last December. She was then powered with an 8 h.p. motor. The race was restricted to boats of 4 h.p. and under.

FAST CRUISER HANDICAP RACE This race brought out four starters, and was started like No. 1 event on the Mark Foy system. The distance was approximately five miles. At the end of the first round times and places were:—Romance, 4h 2m 31s; Tasman, 4h 3m 235; Tarua, 4h 4m 19s; Lady Margaret, 4h 5m 16s.

Result: — Tarua (scr), 4h 13m 5s 1 Tasman (3m), 4h 14m 26s 2 Romance (5m 455), 4h 15m 38s .. 2 Also finished: Lady Margaret (3m 40s), 4h 17m 18s.

OUTBOARD CONSISTENCY RACE (For Farmers’ Cup) A good field of eight starters set off on the four-mile course. Miss Akarana had the race practically her own way throughout and beat the second boat, 'Op It, by 36 seconds. Result:— Miss Akarana, 4h 40m 18s, 39pts 1 ’Op It, 4h 40m 545, 24pts 2 Kurly Kale, 4h 41m 52s 3 Also finished: Peggy, 4h 42m 41s; Bacteria, 4h 42m 50s; Rose Marie, 4h 44m 465; Fleetun, 4h 45m 21s. AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL SPEEDBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP A handicap was run in conjunction with this event. The six starters were sent away over the seven and a-half mile course on the Mark Foy system. Boats were dispatched ir. the following order:—Miss Northeote (8m 455), Spot (6m 15s), Hobo (2m 455), Baby Dev (2m ss), Bonzo (lm 455), and Fleetwing Junior (scratch). At the end of the first lap times were:—Miss Northeote, 5h 8m 15s; Spot, 5h 10m 4s; Hobo broke her rudder; Baby Dev, 5h 12m 50s; Bonzo, 5h 13m; Fleetwing Junior, 5h 14m lie. Second lap: Miss Northeote, 5h 16m 3s; Spot, 5h 17m 375; Bonzo, 5h 18m 51s; Baby Dev, 5h 19m 435; Fleetwing Junior, 5h 19m 455. Finishing times: — Bonzo, sh. 24m 44s 1 Miss Northeote, 5h 24m 50s ...... 2 Spot, 5h 25m 8s .. 3 Fleetwing Junior, 5h 25m 9s .... 4 Also finished: Baby Dev. Fleetwing Junior returned fastest time and retains » the cup. OUTBOARD MOTOR HANDICAP There was a slight revision on the handicaps for this race, which provided a fairly even contest. Bacteria was never headed and won easily from Miss Phyllis. ANOTHER CONTEST SUGGESTED That Saturday's speedboat racing was enjoyed by the public is evident from the suggestions freely expressed that the New Zealand Power-boat Association should repeat the contest before the season concludes. Once people begin to recognise the Wha River as the national speedground of Auckland, still larger attendances may be expected. By way of making the new- course known to enthusiasts, the committee of the association would be well advised to hold another series of races on the Whau in about a month’s time. Credit for the “discovery” of the new power-boat track must go to Mr. David B. Russell, a civil engineer of Auckland, who brought the possibilities of the Whau under the notice of the association.