SPEED THRILLS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16712, 30 January 1926, Page 5

SPEED THRILLS.

MOTOR CYCLE RACING. MEETING AT CLAUDELANDS. HERBERT WINS HAMILTON HDCP. To a crackle and splutter like a battery of machine guns in action, the annual races of the Hamilton Motor Cycle Club opened on the Ciaudelands course this afternoon. Motor racing is one of ttie most exciting sports we know, for it is one which provides genuine thrills, of speed and spills, and but for the pecuniary interest which attaches to horse racing it leaves the latter sport standing. The body which controls motor cycle racing in Hamilton is composed of young men possessing plenty of initiative, and ever since they inaugurated their annual meeting, several years ago, it has gone with a snap, and has been successful from the very first. The officials have now acquired sufficient experience to enable them to carry out the intricate arrangements necessary for running such a meeting with expedition and satisfaction, and to-day's arrangements were eminently satisfactory. The weather remained doubtful for all morning, but this afternoon the sun shone with great heat, and with a fresh wind soon removed from the turf the damp occasioned by last night's downpour.

The programme was of seven events, 27 riders from all parts competing in the meeting. The entries for all the events were large, particularly the Ciaudelands, Hamilton, Waikato and President's (open) Handicaps, for each of which almost all the riders entered. The closeness of some of the finishes was a tribute to the handicapping by Mr P. J. Williams, while the decisions of the judges, Messrs A. W. Smith and C. Nisbet, gave every satisfaction. ■ The lap scorers, Messrs E. N. Valintine and J. K. Currie, as well as Mr S. Tisch and his assistants who officiated on the lap-scoring board, had an exceedingly busy time, but they carried out their w : ork well, as did the starter Mr W. Fenton and his assistant, Mr H. Aitkcn. The supervision of the gates was in the efficient hands of Mr E. M. Chainey, the stewards in charge of the course being Messrs K. A. Powell and A. Patterson, while call stewards were Messrs S. Lorimer and A.' Rice, and the flag steward Mr M. A. Scott. All these officers worked hard, and the result of their continued efforts, together with those of Mr C. F. Thomas, the secretary, upon whom the bulk of the work has fallen, resulted in a highly successful gathering. Following arc the results up to time of going to press:—

CLAUDELANDS HANDICAP. (Open) Seven laps.

C. Goodwin (Hamilton), 2| A.J.S.,

OOsec i. i If. 11. Moller (New Plymouth), 3| Norton, 20sec 2 VV. H. Herbert (OtahuhuJ, 31 Norton, 20sec : 3 Out of 11 starters Goodwin, the winner, caught the leaders at the end at the second lap, and was never troubled thereafter. Shakespeare came to grief in the first round, owing to his back wheel coming off. He was,, fortunately, unhurt. Zillwood, in coming up the straight, also experienced a mishap, something jamming in h ; s machine, causing him to plunge through the rail. Time, Bmin 4scc.

NOVICE HANDICAP (Open). Five laps.

E. Luks (Hamilton), 7 Indian,

R, G. Ranby' (To Aro'ha), 7 H.D.,'

scr R. Tappenden (Hamilton), 2$

Chater Lea, 30sec

In the first lap Tappenden and Coulthard were fighting it out. Round the back Luks moved up, while Ranby, the scratch man, improved his position considerably. In the second lap Tappenden still led, followed closely by Luks, the scratch man, Ranby, passing Young and Storey. In front of the stand in the fourth lap Ranby passed Coulthard, closely followed by Tappenden. In the last lap Luks still maintained his position, Ranby reducing the lead by' 100 yards. This was the .position at the finish. Time, 6min 30 2-ssec.

HAMILTON HANDICAP (Open). Ten laps. Herbert, Z\ Norton, 30scc

Managh, 7 H.D., scr 2 McCready, 7T1.D., lOsec 3 This race was productive of great spectacular riding, especially between Managh, the scratch man, and McCready, with lOsec. Most of the m&chines got off well, and the race developed into a contest between a few back-markers —Managh, Mc- ; Cieady, Goodwin, and Herbert. Good- ; win and Lemon soon passed the lead, ' followed closely by Herbert, with j Moller well up, and McCready and I Managh side by side. From the j sixth lap onward the public gaze was , focussedon Managh and McCready, who were - see-sawing, alternatively passing each other, McCready being particularly swift on the corners where he made up most of his gain. For! three laps they raised dust and public excitement rose to a great pitch, this culminating in a burst of cheering as Herbert, with a five yards' lead, passed the post, Managh, with a great final effort securing second position by barely a length over the third man. Time, 11.36 2-5.