TARANAKI BICYCLE RACING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 63, 8 October 1891, Page 8

TARANAKI BICYCLE RACING.

(from our own correspondent.) New Plymouth, Sept. 28. There has been a little excitement in local bicycling circles during the last few weeks, in consequence of a series of events arranged by the Pioneer Cycling Club. The races were on the road, the distances i mile, 3 miles, and 5 miles. The first race was won by J. Bennett, with 200 yards start; J. Ramson (scratch) second, and C. Lever (400 yards), third. The other starters were J. Searle (450 yards), Felloire (200 yards), G. Hendry and H. Inch (180 yards). The second race was won easily by H. Inch, who had imin sosec; G. Hendry (jmin) second, and C. Lever third. The other starters were Ramson (scratch), and J. Bennett (imin 2osec). The final event fell to Bennett (imin zbsec), with Ramson (scratch) second, and Lever (5 min) third. Hendry (jmin) was the only other starter. The points scored were Bennett 6 (two firsts), Ramson 4 (two seconds), Inch 3 (one first), Lever 3 (three thirds), and Hendry 2 (one second). A great deal of dissatisfaction was expressed over the last race. It appears that after the handicap for the event was issued, Ramson went to Auckland and bought two machines, one of which he sold to Bennett. The other competitors objected to the use of these machines in the race, as the handicap was made out on the understanding that the machines would be ridden that were used in the previous events, Inch, who had issecs, would not start for this reason. Bennett persisted in riding his new machine, but Ramson at the last moment very properly rode the one on which he had competed previously. In consequence of Bennett’s action all bets were declared “ off” before the race, as with a good machine the race was simply a “dead bird” for him. It was absurd for him to argue that he could use what machine he liked, as the handicappers would never have given him imifi 2osec start except for the fact that his original machine was not of the best.

It is to, be hoped for the sake of the sport that there will be no more “ringing-in” of machines after the handicap is declared.

We are most reluctantly compelled to hold over our report of the Waikato Hunt Club races, as well as our turf record thereon, till next issue, the same having reached us later than we anticipated. The meeting was an unqualified success. 1