MOTOR IN ARMY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21181, 31 October 1938, Page 6

MOTOR IN ARMY

CYCLING CONTESTS PERMITTED

STATEMENT BY RESPONSIBLE OFFICER United Press Association—By E9«ctrlc Tel egraph —Copy righ t (Received October 30, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 29. The first motor cycling championship trials held under the auspices of the Army Motor Cycling Control Board, which began yesterday at Aidershot, were concluded to-day in the presence of General Sir Reginald May, Qaurterinaster General to the forces, who later presented the prizes. One hundred officers and men com-

peted. General May, in a‘speech remarked that although motor cycling played an important part in military life for many years past, never before had they been able to stage a meeting on competitive lines, in which the programme had been devoted entirely to motor cycling. They were making every effort to encourage motor cycling in the ranks of the army and soldiers were allowed to participate in competitive events, not only in military but also in open civilian meetings, and were allowed to use their army machines and petrol at the expense of the Government. The programme showed that to-day motor cyclists formed a part of practically every corps and regiment in the British army. The object of the meetings was to encourage not only a high degree of skill in actual riding but in machine mastership—maintenance and skill in map-reading. General May described the course chosen as moderately severe, and comparing favourably with the type of course expected of riders of international repute.