NEW CYCLE RECORD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 859, 31 December 1929, Page 14

NEW CYCLE RECORD

FAST TIMES MADE AT WESTERN SPRINGS MACKIE AND WADE IN FORM Last evening saw the opening carnival of the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club at the Western Springs Stadium. A crowd of about 3,000 witnessed some first-class finishes. There were not many accidents, but those which did occur were fortunately not of a serious nature. A feature of the night was the lowering, by 55sec, of the five miles motorpaced record by 17-year-old Angus Mackie. When his time, 7min 32 2-5 sec, was announced, he received a great ovation from those present. small part in his success was played by an elder brother, the wellknown professional. W. Mackie, who held the record until quite recently, when it was lowered by the worldfamous Hubert Opperman. Now that a new record has been set it will take some beating, as conditions were ideal when this new time was registered. J. \\ ade. New Zealand half-mile champion, had the crowd thrilled in most of the finishes. His whirlwind sprints electrified all those present and stamped him as one of the best pedallers at the present time. The times were announced as each lap was completed. Besides this, records were played in between the events. This kept the spectators fully occupied, and so helped to pass away an exciting evening. Much of the success was due to Uandicapper G. Cleaver, who provided some close finishes. He also acted in the role of starter. With all the other officials working in harmony the events were run ol’f promptly. Results are:

, Race, two laps —H. F. Gribble (.O.vds), 1. J. C. Lawrie (10yds), 2; E. Mullane (25yds), 2. Gribble romped away at the start and was never headed. He had about six lengths to spare at the finish. La.v/rie was two lengths too good for Mullane. Time, 1.15.

Amateur Handicap, three laps.—First heat: A. Mackie (scr.), 1; J. Wade (scr) 2: A. Pinker (70yds), 3. Time, 1.50. Second heat: G. P. Clark (SOyds), 1; S. Paird (50yds), 2; F. Restall (60vds), 3. Time, 1.52. Third heat: J. Dykes (0i) yds). 1; J. Whitten (25yds). 2; E. Andrews (90yds), 3. Time, 1.51. Fourth heat: H. Dwight (15yds), 1; K. Nankivell (40yds), 2: L. Aldred (70yds). 3. Time, 1.55. Final: A. Mackie (scr). 1; 1.. Aldred (70yds), 2; A. Pinker (70yds), 3. Time, 1.54 1-5. The back-markers caught the field on the second lap. Coming into the straight the last time, L. Aldred looked a winner, but Mackie put in his claim to win by half a wheel, with Pinker a similar distance away third. The rest of the field was bunched right up.

One Lap Sprint.—J. Wade, 1: A. Mackie 2. Time, lmin. These two were the only starters. Jt was really a race of tactics. Starting off very slowly, neither would take the lead until Wade suddenly jumped and gained an advantage which he held until the finish. Junior Handicap, one lap.—R. Francis (scr), 1: A. Bowen (30yds), 2; G. Helhcr (20yds), 3. Time, 39 4-5. In this *-vent the first fall of the night occurred. After passing the winning-post K. tjordon lost control, to come down heav- • ' i } vas . a Sockl race, but the backmarker dominated the position through-

Professional Handicap, four laps.— heat: W. Archer (160yds), 1; X. i P- te ,v (ISOydsj. 2: J. Harcourt (60yds behind), *. Time, 2.32 3-5. Second heat:

MacDonald (140yds), 1; G. Hall (90yds), 2; S. Arnott (200yds), 3. Time, 2.35. Third heat: A. Rose (140yds), 1; X. Healey (90yds), 2; L. Pinfold (110yds), 3. Time, 2.35 1-5. Final: MacDonald, 1; W. Archer! 2; L. Pinfold, 3. Time, 2.29 2-5. The scratch man, J. Harcourt, could rot get up to within striking distance, the limit men going away at the start. They had the race to themselves for, although caught by the middle bunch, the former went away in the last lap to fight out the finish. Two-mile Motor-paced Race. A. Mackie, 1; J. Wade. 2. This event did not give a true indication of what real motor-paced racing is like, as Wade had to pedal behind a motor-cycle with no rollers attached. With this disadvantage he put up a good ride, but had to give way in a hard-fought final lap. Human-paced Race, eight laps.—H. Dwight. 1; F. Casey, 2. For a while this was a keen contest, but the pacemakers on most of the laps got too far in front to he of any use to the competitors. However, in the final round Casey tried to drop H. Dwight, but could not succeed. The pace told its tale and Dwight, who had an easy ride throughout, came away when heads were turned for home to win by a length. Professional Miss-and-Out race.—J. Harcourt, 1; K. Mathieson. 2; G. Hall, 3. This was quite a novel event. The last man over the finishing line at the conclusion of each lap had to retire. The final lap saw six compete. Amateur Miss-and-Out Race.—J. Wade, 1: A. Mackie, 2; F. Casey, 3. Time, 5.20 2-5. This contest was exciting throughout. The field was a large one, so two riders were called off at the conclusion of each lap. A good finish between Wade and Mackie saw the former gain a narrow decision. Five-mile Scratch Race.—J. Wade, 1; A. Mackie, 2: H. Dwight. 3. This, the last event on the programme, was indeed the best. Prizes were given for the leader of every half-lap. These alone were keenly contested. When the last round was entered upon, J. Wade put in a hot finish, closely followed by Mackie. The crowd was on its feet to witness Wade all out to win by inches. Half a wheel farther back was H. Dwgilit. It was a fitting final.