SPECTACULAR FINISH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 71, 26 March 1940, Page 6

SPECTACULAR FINISH

CANTERBURY GRAND PRIX LAWTON’S NARROW VICTORY I Per Press Aseocii-tjon j CHRISTCHURCH, March 25. One of the most spectacular finishes seen in such an event in the district for many years, concluded the fifth Grand Prix conducted under the auspices of the Canterbury AutoCycle Club, at Cust to-day. R. Lawton (Wellington) beat B. Rosson (Dunedin) by 4 4-ssec.. the distance separating them being about 30 yards. These two riders were among the first five throughout the race and their duel at the fisish kept the crow’d on its toes. Ten laps from the finish, I Lawton led Rosson by Imin. 27sec., but the Dunedin rider reduced this advantage by the sheer skill of his riding on various hazards. Lawton was expected to come in and refuel in the last few laps, but he stopped, checked I his petrol and decided to take the risk and carry on. This decision gave | him the race, although he must have i had very little fuel to spare when he crossed the finishing line. The placed men were:— R. Lawton (Wellington), 2hr. 15min. 27 l-ssec., 1. B. Rosson (Dunedin), 2hr. 15min. 33 2-ss?c., 2. H. Currie (Invercargill), 2hr. ISmin. 58sec., 3. W. Alexander (Christchurch), 2hr. 23min. 51sec., 4. A. Napier (Dunedin), 2hr. 25min. 6sec., 5. G. Haggitt (Dunedin), 2hr. 25min. 50sec., 6. W. Ashton (Dunedin), 2hr. 32min. 32sec„ 7.