MOTOR-CYCLING NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1932, Page 4

MOTOR-CYCLING NOTES

MANGATOKI RACE MEETING. EXCITEMENT ON WET TRACK. (By “Speed.”) Those who were present at the motor-cycle race meeting held at Man-o-atoki last week-end witnessed a thrillIng afternoon’s eport. Intermittent showers made the course very slippery and as a result there were many spills and hectic moments, when, owing to theskill of the riders, other mishaps were narrowly avoided. . . The last race was the most exciting of the day, a heavy shower making the course exceptionally wet and the race resolving itself into a stirring duel between J. Fenton and I. Crockett, in which the former wrested a very narrow victory in the last 50 yards. L. Wann was uulucky in having a spill when in a handy position, and when it appeared that he had every opportunity of winning.

Riding from scratch after the first, event. J. Fenton was unlucky in getting a bad start in the second race, which was won by D- Mcßeth but he proved his mettle by winning the last event of the day in a thrilling succession of skids and broadsides, m which his skill as a rider was tested to the utmost. An amusing incident proving the keenness of the officials occurred in the second heat of the first race. In order to o-et a better view ot the riders the judge and the time-keeper wandered from their positions, and at the end of the race a very excited official rushed up to a spectator at the finish with the query, “Who won '■ Considering the weather a large number of spectators was present, and this augurs well for any future event held by the Stratford Club. Judging by the enthusiasm shown by both the Stratford and New Plymouth Clubs, it is anticipated that a great many events will be held in the near future. A reliability trial, the last of a series of competitions for aggregate points and a trophy, will be held next weekend. As the leaders have an equal chance of winning a great deal of interest is being shown by all club members. The event will be run over a course of approximately 60 miles, and points will be allotted for average speeds over various sections of the course. All tool kits .and speedos will be sealed, the penalty for breaking these seals being disqualification for the event. There still remain in the club one or two “mystery” machines whose performances have not yet been officially tested. One machine in particular has quite a good reputation, but the stop watch, that wrecker of fond hopes, has been studiously avoided by the owner, and it would be interesting to see just how good this particular model would be in actual competition. Far be it from me to insinuate that these cycles are not what they are reputed to be, but the fact remains that only official times can be accepted as beyOnd dispute.