MOTOR-CYCLE TEST.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 471, 4 June 1932, Page 13

MOTOR-CYCLE TEST.

“ Star ” Organises Difficult Road Trial. MOST EXACTING ROUTE. So exacting was the route chosen that not one rider, or machine, gained lull points in the difficult motor-cycle reliability trial organised by the Christchurch Star ” yesterday. The results will be announced next week. The object of the competition was to set a new fashion in trials and to modernise them to suit present-day motor-cycles and motor-cyclists. The Officials. Mr W. F. Marsh, who drew up the conditions and organised the greater part of the trial, was unable to be present on the day owing to an attack ot influenza. He was greatly missed, but so thorough was his organisation that Mr C. R. Hayward, the second in command, and “ Magneto,” the “ Star’s *’ motor-cycle correspondent, were able to carry on with no hitches. Great work was done by Mr T. R. M’Cleary, captain of the Pioneer Sports Club’s motor section, who volunteered his services as an official when it was known that Mr Marsh would be unable to attend. It was a most satisfactory trial. The Riders. Out of an entry of fourteen, nine started. They were:—E. J. Bradshaw (23 h.p. F.N.), L. E. Evans (750 c.c. O.K. Supreme), J. J. Rossiter (35 h.p. New Hudson), R. Ranby (35 h.p. 8.5. A.), C. James (3J h.p. A.J.S.), R. Lovegrove (23 h.p. Velocette), A. E. Hawkings (35 h.p. Ariel), G. W. Hockley (23 h.p. Velocette) and E. S. Velvin (35 h.p. Ariel). Leaving Christchurch via Riccarton Road and the Main West Road, the riders travelled in pairs at minute intervals. It was not difficult going and no trouble was experienced to Sheffield. Here a petrol stop was called. Leaving Sheffield by the Whitecliffs-Gleniun-nel road the country began to get interesting. The farther the course went the worse the roads were. Passing through, the hills Lovegrove took a corner at a greater speed than was judicious and spilled. He bent his handlebars and footrests. A halt was called at the Selwyn ford. The Water Splash. The water splash test was one of the most interesting incidents of the trial. It constituted a double fording of the Selwyn River. The first crossing was the most difficult. Evans was the first to attempt the water, but he did not get far before he commenced to “ foot ” and eventually stopped both his engine and wheels. In the second splash he stopped again. Bradshaw was next. He made a good crossing until nearly out, but h© hit a boulder and grounded. His road wheels stopped and he had to manoeuvre backwards to find a path. Rossiter came next and earned generous praise for a faultless crossing of both streams. He never faltered. Ranby “ footed ” and was all but out of the water when he stopped his engine. James was another who showed faultless riding and came through without putting his fet down. His engine faltered at the end of the first crossing, but he kept going and did not lose a mark. Hawkings wobbled a trifle more than James, but made a clean run. Hockley did not get far before he had to assist himself with his feet. He managed to get through without a stop. Velvin was very soon in difficulties and “ footed ” the greater part of the first crossing, eventually stopping his engine. He made a faultless ride of the second splash. Lovegrove could not get started for some time but eventually crossed unobserved. From WhiteclifCs to Glentunnel the riders had an easy task. Turning over the new bridge over the Selwyn the route followed fairly good roads for a number of mile_s until the Lake Coleridge road was reached. Lovegrove lost

his way On this section and retired. Turning down towards Christchurch the old roadway, which carries the main power lines, was followed for a short distance. Here again secondary roads were taken and the riders had rough shingle to contend with. The route here described a rough triangle rejoining the main Lake Coleridge road a short distance out of Hororata. A short run brought the riders to Horoi*ata where a ten minutes spell was allowed. Rossiter took six minutes to get started, spoiling what would have been an almost perfect score. Difficult River Crossings.. Proceeding on the Bealey Ford road to Christchurch the riders experienced no trouble until a grass road was taken which was the direct ford between the Greendale road and the Bealey road. This included a most difficult crossing of the Selwyn, which, fortunately for the riders, was dry. Climbing rough banks of shingle the competitors traversed another grass road coming out on to the Greendale road. Turning direct right once again the river-bed was tackled. This time the course was flagged and riders were penalised for “ footing.” Evans came through first. He footed several times and stopped his wheels. Bradshaw gave a similar exhibition. Rossiter and James again gave faultless performances. Hawkings had a wheel stop and used his feet a good deal. Hockley was much the same. Velvin came through using his feet, all the way. Proceeding along a rough road with plenty of mud the riders came to a pretty little spot on the banks of the Hororata River, on the property of Mr L. Early, who gave permission to use it. Here a halt was called for lunch, and an hour’s respite allowed officials and riders to compare notes. Rossiter again had trouble and lost two minutes in the start. More Shingle. Leaving the lunch control the riders retraced their steps to the Greendale road and continued on the main road through Greendale down to another crossing of the Selwyn. Here they were checked and sent through another observed section. Evans stopped his wheels and engine. Bradshaw had a road wheel stop but carried on. Rossiter again came through with a clean score. Ranby fell oft and stopped both engine and wheels. James continued his great riding by coming through with a clean score. He stopped later to fix his front stand and lost three minutes. Hawkings and Hockley both “ footed ” while Velvin came through with a clean score. The last observed section did not catch anyone. Leaving thg last check the competitors had an uninterrupted run down what is known as the “ Two Chain Road ” to Rolleston. This road, which is covered in grass, has several muddy water splashes which nearly caught more than one rider napping. Leaving the grass road behind the Main South Highway was reached and the riders checked in for the last time. The riders were assembled and taken to the South Island Motors garage, where the machines were subjected to a rigorous examination—no machine coming through with a clean sheet.