SPEEDWAY RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 829, 25 November 1929, Page 11

SPEEDWAY RACING

LAP RECORD BROKEN BY WRAIGHT’S CHRYSLER SUCCESSFUL TRIALS HELD Motor-car racing is again ‘fin the air,” and good work carried on throughout the winter months has put the Mangere Speedway track in first-class order. Yesterday, enthusiasts were thrilled by the performances of a number of Auckland’s fastest machines, which assembled at the Speedway for trials in preparation for December 7, the opening day of the motor racing season. COME indication of what can be expectecl in the way of thrills and speed, may be gained from the performance of yesterday’s trials, which was provided by Tim Bell, who piloted Wraight’s Chrysler over one lap in one minute three seconds, a record for the track. George Smith’s Special roadster, unstripped, lapped in 1.12, and can consequently be expected to better this time by some seconds when pro perly prepared for the track. Fans of the new sport are showing keen disappointment in the nonarrival of Bert Shorter’s special dirt track Essex, whic his on order from the States, and which, according to the American dealers, “has had all the bugs ironed out of it.” This machine is expected here for the meetings later in the season. Yesterday, however, Bert Shorter, who ip undoubtedly one of the keenest enthusiasts of the game, made his ap pearance in his standard super-six Essex roadster, which, although up stripped, was seen lapping in 1.17 4-5 sec, and should do even better when in racing trim. The Canadian Knight and Whippet Company’s racing Whippet, Silver Arrow, which had such a run of sue cesses last season, did not make such a creditable showing in lapping in 1.26. This time will have' to be speeded up considerably, or this Aieallined speedster will not be permitted to start in the classy events this season. CAMPBELL’S MERCEDES The big Mercer, piloted by George Campbell, .experienced engine trouble but in one short sprint along the back straight gave a clear indication of its speeding capabilities. Next week-end more trials will be staged at the Mangere Speedway, when a large muster of cars is expected to be seen on the track. There is also a large quota of racers .which have not been put through the trials, but who promise to provide high turns of speed on December 7. Among these are Sutherland’s Special, which is powered by a Hall Scott 120 h.p. aero engine in a Cadillac chassis. This is a new machine and as yet its speeding qualities are unknown, while rumour has it that a try-out on the quiet is to be held some time this week. The first super-charged racing car to be imported to New Zealand is an Austin 7 (Baby), which is going to be raced by Messrs. Seabrook and Fowlds. Connoisseurs of the sport hold that if this machine can keep the track it should prove to be one of the invincibles of the 1929-30 season. Tom Cooper has hopes of hitting high speeds with his special Hudson motor in an Essex chassis, while Beauchamp’s Thomas Special, well-known to Aucklanders after its previous performances at Muriwai, is expected to arrive here from Wanganui this week to be drive nbj r R. Paul. Bob Wilson’s Stutz is to undergo a few alterations and will be among the back-markers in the big race on the opening day.