BROADSIDING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20542, 18 February 1935, Page 10

BROADSIDING.

Kirkman’s Fine Riding Draws Applause. HOBSON WINS HELMET. Another big crowd at Monica Park on Saturday night was treated to a full speedway programme and a special display of fireworks by the Wainoni Company. The features of the broadsiding were the brilliant riding of Ken Kirkman and the quick decision in an emergency by which he saved Charlie Perabo from probable serious injury, the failure of Ray Taylor’s machine after he had spilled in his second attempt on the four-lap record, and the excellent riding of Hobson, who beat Taylor in a heat of the A Grade Handicap and won the final narrowly from Ken Kirkman. Hobson also won the Gold Helmet. Perabo and Kirkman were riding together in the final of the A Grade Handicap when Perabo spilled near the grandstand, with Kirkman right behind him. By promptly oversliding, Kirkman, although he could not avoid hitting Perabo, saved him from a much more serious accident. Kirkman’s resourceful riding was loudly applauded. Perabo was assisted off the ground and was loudly cheered when he returned to ride in tlje later events. However, after riding in the first experts’ points race, he had to retire, having had his wrist injured in the spill. Ray Taylor, in an attempt on Squib Burton’s four-lap record of lmin 17 3- completed three laps in 59 4- but his engine started misfiring and he could not finish. In a second attempt he surprised everybody by spilling in the north corner and damaged his machine. The attempt was then called off.

An official announcement regarding the absence of Matson, the New Zealand champion, stated that after having agreed to ride, he had made further demands, and that the matter would be reported to the governing body. Following are the results of the racing:— A GRADE HANDICAP, of four laps— First heat: K. Kirkman (scr) 1, E. Forbes (6sec) 2. Time—lmin 27 2-ssec. Second heat: C. Perabo (scr) 1, R. Dixon (3sec) 2. Time—lmin 27seo. Third heat: J. Hobson Osec) 1, R. Taylor (scr) 2. Time—lmin 28 l-ssec. Final. J. Hobson 1 K. Kirkman 2 Time—lmin 34 3-ssec. Kirkman started beautifully and steadily overhauled the leaders. With the second lap the result was plain and Kirkman went on to win comfortably. Art Lamport was making the cinders fly in the second heat, but in the stand corner he went too wide and, in an effort to recover, overslid and fell. The third heat was a great race. With lsec start Hobson got away well from Taylor. Dumpleton was leading and riding well when his engine refused to function correctly. Roscoe for a short time led, but was in turn passed by Hobson. With 'this it seemed that the race must be Taylor’s, who was but a short distance behind. However, in the north corner Dumpleton baulked Taylor to some extent and he had to shut off. In the final lap Taylor was only a length behind Hobson, and in the final slide, with a masterly piece of riding, Taylor snatched the inside running, with the two riders almost touching. In the straight, however, Hobson had enough speed to hang on and in a wonderful finish won by a length. The final was a poor race. Hobson got away well and set off at a great pace. Kirkman and Perabo were some distance behind together. In the second lap Perabo drew ahead of Kirkman, but could make no impression on Hobson. In the stand corner Perabo fell and the collision mentioned above took place. Kirkman restarted to secure second place. B GRADE HANDICAP, of four laps— First heat: Gates (Bsec) 1, N. Neill (2sec) 2. Time—lmin 40sec. Second heat: M. Rush (Bsec) 1, S. Teague (2sec) 2. Time—lmin 42 l-ssec.. Third heat: W. Churchill (2sec) 1, C. Saunders (3sec) 2. Time—lmin 36sec. .Final. M. Rush 1 W. Churchill 2 Time —lmin 39 l-ssec. The first heat was most uninteresting and Gates was never challenged. The second heat was a repetition of the first. A rather unusual mishap enlivened the third heat when Kerr’s tyre blew out, the tyre leaving the wheel, and the rear driving chain was torn off. Maynard Ellen spilled and Churchill, following close behind, struck the fallen rider, lifting him in the air. Fortunately no injury was received by Kerr. The final was another disappointing race. Rush won unchallenged. Gates retired. A GRADE CONSOLATION RACE, of four laps—R. Taylor (scr) 1, R. Dixon (3sec) 2, E. Forbes (6sec) 3. Time—lmin 27sec. Taylor caught Forbes and Dixon in the second lap and won easily. B GRADE CONSOLATION RACE, of four laps—C. Saunders 1, N. Neill 2. Time—lmin 39 l-ssec. Neill had a substantial lead when his rear tyre went flat. Saunders caught him in the final lap and Teague, the other starter, was disqualifed for being assisted over the black line. IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP, of four laps—First race: A. Lamport (2 sec) 1. S. Teague (Ssec) 2. Time—lmin 38 3-ssec. Rush was the early leader, but spilled. Teague followed suit, while Forbes did not get started until a lap had been completed. IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP, of four laps—Second race: J. Roscoe (scr) 1, E. Forbes (4sec) 2. Time—lmin 37 Roscoe and Forbes seemed well out of it, but Churchill spilled and was followed by Neill, leaving the remaining riders to share the places. EXPERTS’ POINTS RACE, of three laps—First match: K. Kirkman 1, R. Taylor 2. Time —lmin 3 l-ssec. Perabo was left at the start and a new race was ordered. In the next attempt Perabo was left and the other two fought out a wonderful finish, Kirkman winning by a length. EXPERTS’ POINTS RACE, of three laps—Second match: K. Kirkman 1, R. Taylor 2. Time—lmin 3 3-ssec. This race necessitated two starts, Taylor spilling in the first lap of the first attempt. Kirkman was outpointed in the first bend by Taylor squeezing him off the inside. However, Kirkman had the necessary speed to draw level on the outside and took the lead in the back straight. He was never headed and won comfortably. EXPERTS’ POINTS RACE, of three laps—Third match: R. Tavlor 1, K. Kirkman 2. Time—lmin 5 4-ssec. Kirkman led from Taylor after the first slide and continued his advantage until the final slide, where Taylor caught and passed him. Kirkman challenged strongly in the straight and Taylor won by a length. GOLD HELMET CHALLENGE RACE (J. Hobson v. J. Talbot), of three laps (rolling start)—First match: J. Hobson 1. Time—lmin 6 4-ssec. Talbot spilled. Second match: J. Hobson 1. Time lmin 5 sec. Hobson outclassed Talbot and won as be liked.