KILMISTER ARRIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 365, 5 March 1932, Page 9

KILMISTER ARRIVES.

New Zealand Speedway Star to Ride Here. SUCCESS IN ENGLAND. Wally Kilmister, New Zealand’s champion broadsiding star, arrived from Wellington this morning and will ride at Monica Park Speedway tonight. It will be his only appearance locally. Kilmister can be said to have grown up with broadsiding in New Zealand. He was a young chap when the sport first started, but was in the first flight of riders in a very short time. Now he ranks among the world’s best. The New Zealander was one of the famous John S. Hoskins team of Wembley riders last season and he scored 50 per cent of the possible points. Kilmister will return to Wembley again this season and will leave New Zealand by the Rangitiki sailing this month.

“ I have a message for Christchurch folk from George Greenwood,” said Kilmister when he was interviewed this morning. “ George told me, in good old Yorkshire language, ‘Tell Christchurch I am still here and I’m sorry I couldna coom owt.’ Greenwood had a bad smash towards the end of the season and was unable to come out here this year. Broadsiding at Home.

“ Broadsiding will last a long time yet in England,” according to Kilmister. “ Wembley experienced a 33 1-3 per cent increase in gate receipts last season. Each track has contracted about a dozen riders, all of whom are first grade men. This ensures a very high standard of racing. I would not advise any New Zealand rider to go home now unless he is very good and is sure of a contract. Competition is very keen over there and there are many first class riders offering.” Asked who was the best rider in Wellington at the present time, outside of the visiting riders, Kilmister unhesitatingly named Clarric Tonks. “ He is not in possession of a fast motor, but he is so very consistent,” he said. “In Charlie Blacklock, Christchurch has a rider who is the equal of anybody in New Zealand. Mattson has developed into a very ‘ heady ’ rider and has learned all the tricks of the trade and knows how to use them.”

Referring to the England v. Australia test matches in England, Kilmister states that there is a possibility of New Zealanders being included in the Australian team next season, making the tests, England v. Australasia. “ I would have been in the team last season but for the fact that I was a New Zealander.” Speaking of Australian riders, Kilmister says that it is a toss-up between Huxley, Case and Arthur as to who is the better. There is no doubt that Jack Parker is England’s best rider,” he said.

Kilmister will return to Wellington early in the week and will ride at Palmerston on Wednesday.