S.C.M.C.C.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18832, 21 March 1931, Page 11 (Supplement)

S.C.M.C.C.

CLUB NOTES. (By “Acceleration”). CHAMPIONSHIP HILL CLIMB. This afternoon on the Tycho ZigZag the crack riders of several motorcycle clubs in the South Island will battle for the title of South Canterbury Hill Climb Champion, which enables the winner to hold the J. L. Passmore cliallenge cup for one year. This event is open to all riders of affiliated clubs in the North or South Island. and is for machines of unlimited capacity. With the Challenge Cup is presented a miniature cup and a trophy order. Riders from Clubs both north and south of Timaru are to compete, as well as a strong contingent of local members. The record for the hill stands at forty-nine seconds, this time being recorded by two local riders, F. Cross (Norton) and A. Hall (Norton). Several riders, however, have gone very close to this figure, and it is confidently expected that this time will be lowered in this afternoon’s contest. Other events are the Garrard Cup and Harley Cup climbs. The firstnamed is open to S.C.M.C.C. members only, and is for machine up to 500 c.c. The Harley Cup is competed for on a grass hill adjacent to the Zig-Zag, and is an open unlimited event. Each cup carries a miniature with it, and substantial trophies are offered as second prizes. The public are requested to refrain from trespassing on the farmers’ paddocks, but to keep to the high bank on the side of the road, from whence an excellent view can be obtained of nearly the whole of the course. Timing will be done by means of the Club’s electrical timing set, which will be in the capable hands of Messrs. R. Lawn and T. McPherson. The results of each climb will be announced by loudspeaker by Mr. S. Brehaut. TAR-SEALED. Many motor-cyclists would perhaps notice in the “Herald” last week that the work of tar-sealing the Main North Road from the borough boundary was to be started as soon as possible. This is indeed good news, and the sooner the whole stretch of the Temuka road is done in this manner as far Arowhenua, the better pleased will the owners of all two-wheelers be. For years now this stretch of road has been the bug-bear of all riders and drivers, with its pot-holes, shingle and dust, and it will be a glad day when

the final foot of this road is completed under the proposed tar-seal-ing scheme.

Apropos of the above, it has been said that the present day trend of tarsealing all main roads, and in time secondary roads, will reduce the art of riding a motor-cycle to a mere mechanical action comparable to that of driving a car. There is no doubt that balancing and steering a two-wheeler over a shingly, pot-holey road at a moderate speed, takes a fair degree of skill, and there are to-day many riders who, at the s!vht of a bad patch of shingle or a rough rutted road are at a complete loss as to the method with which to tackle it. Lest this statement may be thought to be exaggerated, the writer was discussing riding methods with a group of motorcyclists recently, and one person present averred that the correct method of attacking shingle, when coming on to it suddenly at speed, was to shut off the throttle and glide through, which, as every experienced rider knows is the surest way of all to, in motor-cycle parlance, “buy a box of tacks.” Therefore, to improve their riding ability and to gain experience in combating all road surfaces, Club members should compete in all the Club trials and scrambles and other competitions. OCCASIONAL COMMENTS. A collection will be taken up at today’s hill climb to help augment the Club’s funds. To-night the Club will hold a smoke concert, to which members and visiting riders or visiting Club members only, will be admitted. There will be a short toast list, and a shorter number of speeches. Rumour hath it that something very “hot” will be ridden at to-day's fixture by the representative of a well-known Stafford Street South firm. The writer, in search of’Aews and views on the prospects of the various riders and their machines, visited each of the tuning depots in turn, and while not exactly being told he was in the way, gained the impression that his presence could be quite easily done without. Needless to say he took the hint.

Nevertheless there has been a great deal of careful and exacting work put in by several of the riders on their mounts, and this fact should be reflected in the times registered this afternoon on the Zig-Zag.

Next Saturday there is to be a gala at Fairview at which the Club has promised to a number of gymkhana events.