MOTOR-CYCLING

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 643, 22 December 1932, Page 15

MOTOR-CYCLING

BY

MAGNETO.

Christmas Greeting's. “ Magneto ” takes this opportunity of wishing motor-cyclists the compliments of the season. Motor-cycling notes will not appear over the holiday period, and will be recommenced on. January 12. The Fast Year. The year 1932 has not been responsible for a boom in motor-cycle sport, but interest has been as well maintained as could be expected. As was predicted at the beginning of last season, there has been a change in the fashions of trials, the shorter trial with less water-tight conditions and a harder course being favoured. The “Christchurch Star’s” experts’ trial was the first trial to be run under entirely new ideas, and, although the conditions will be considerably modified if the event is held next year, it is generally agreed that it was decidedly on the right lines. Support from the private owner has not been very strong for the various events, but a number of new recruits have made their appearance, some of whom show great promise. The beach race entries have been well up to standard, and the times, while not phenomenally fast, have been consistently good. The year will be remembered for the remarkable growth of the Corsair Motor Club, which has had a most successful year in all respects. The club, which is run on a very small subscription is catering purely for the social side and minor competitions. A regrettable feature is the tendency of those owning the faster machines to “hot them up", making the events more difficult for the efiscom- rt 11 nate • T,lis practice should be Taking the year all round it can be said to have been a successful one. A •iiotor-cyclists Mould help things along A Record Attempt. There is a firm-seated rumour in the

town that a prominent speedway rider intends to make an attempt on the flying mile beach record. One thing is certain—that a machine is being prepared for the attempt. To get the record officially recognised it will be necessary to run the event on proper lines, and I am not sure that the Pioneer Sports Club will not have to be called in, as the official local affiliated body to the N.Z.A.C.U. It is stated that an unofficial attempt was made on the record at an early hour this morning. The idea of the record is said to be due to the fact that Alf Mattson, the Auckland rider, is claiming a record of about 91.84 m.p.h. Cinder Siftings. An interprovincial contest is to be staged on Saturday night between teams representing Canterbury and Wellington. Wally Kilmister is to captain the Wellington side, while Blacklock M'ill captain Canterbury. The contest will be by teams of four a side, two from each starting in the heats. The races will be run from a rolling start. AVally Kilmister is to attempt the track record on Saturday night. The track is in splendid order, but competent authorities state that the surface is slower than previously. However, I do not think Kilmister has been properly extended, and, from a flying start, he should get very close to the record even if lie dpes not break it. The first of the series of races for the Chevrolet Gold Helmet will take place on Saturday between Wally Thomas and Norm Gray. Gray seems to have the fastest machine on the track this season, but it looks as if the rider that can hold the' grass line will win the trophy. U ' v Two more visiting riders will be seen at tin- Monica Park Speedway on Saturday night. These arc Alan Bain, of

Dunedin, and Bernie Appleyard. of Wellington. Peter Phillips, the Wellington lad who rode so well last week, will be again in action. George Farmer shows a versatility on motor-cycles that would do credit to a rider of far greater experience. He rode his Douglas for a mile on one cylinder the other night, a foolish thing to do, and subsequently was forced to borrow a mount for the scratch race. Pie rode the Denly A.J.S. which was at one time ridden by Alec Smith, and he pushed it round as if he had been used to riding it all his .life. Kilmister and Blacklock rode M r ell at the second meeting, but it does not seem that the latter is any match for the Wembley man. Kilmister shows a far superior knowledge of track tactics. Blacklock M-ould take a great deal of beating if he could keep the inside running.