DUNLOP ROAD RACE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 853, 12 July 1906, Page 12

DUNLOP ROAD RACE.

WARRNAMBOOL TO MELBOURNE. The greatest road event of Australasia, the Dunlop Road Race from Warrnambool to Melbourne, is now receiving the attention of road riders throughout the Commonwealth and New Zeaand. The prize list and conditions of this great long distance event have now been issued by the Dunlop Rubber Co., and are as follows: — List of Prizes.—lst prize, cheque £3O, and £5 5s gold medal, given by the Dunlop Co.; 2nd prize, Speedwell cycle, donated by Messrs. Bennett, Wood and Roche; 3rd prize, Charleston cycle, donated by Mr. D. Charleston; 4th prize, Barb cycle, donated by Messrs. Finlay Bros.; sth prize, cheque £3 3s, donated by Messrs. Endean and Wilson, Ballarat; 6th prize, Cheque, £2 2s, donated by the Acme Cycle Co.; 7th prize, cheque £2 2s, donated by Mr. Syd. Day. Special Prizes. —Fastest time —Mas-sey-Harris bicycle, donated by the Canada Cycle Co., and Australian Road Championship blue ribbon and badge, by the Dunlop Rubber Co. Fastest competitor—(Receiving over 10 minutes’ start, not winning any other bicycle): Hartley “ Special” bicycle, donated by Messrs. Hartley Bros., Bendigo. Fastest unplaced competitor (not winning another bicycle, receiving over 20 minutes’ start) —Lonsdale cycle, donated by Ernest Leitch and Co. Fastest unplaced competitor (not winning any other bicycle), receiving over 35 minutes’ start, and residing outside a redius of 60 miles from Melbourne— Davies-Franklin cycle, model “ M,” donated by Davies-Franklin Cycle Co., Ltd., Ballarat. The promoters beg to point out that the position of cycles on the prize list has no bearing on the relative value of the machines; the cycles are simply placed in the order in which they were donated. No outside pacing allowed. Contestants must ride the machine they start on throughout the race. Cycles will be sealed at Warrnambool to prevent changing. Use of single tube racing tyres is not permitted. An artistic bronze and enamel medal will be presented to all competitors who cover the course in 10% hours and under. Time limit is subject to extension by the promoters in the event of unfavourable weather or strong head wind. The race will start about six a.m.

Special arrangements will be made by the Dunlop Rubber Co. for providing contestants with suitable food gratis at Camperdown (45 miles). Winchelsea (96 miles), and G*eelong (119 miles), and at other points en route. Cheap railway fares and hotel tariffs will also be arranged for competitors. Nominations will be received by the Dunlop Rubber Co., 108, Flindersstreet, Melbourne, up to Friday, 24th August. Special entry forms supplied on application. Youths under 18 years of age are not eligible to compete. Handicaps will be published in the daily press on Monday, September 3. Acceptances close at the above address on Friday, September 14th. Entrance fee, 2s 6d; acceptances 2s 6d. Any changing of machines will disqualify. The promoters reserve the right of refusing any nominations. A deposit of 2s 6d each will be required on leather racing machines, which will be supplied by Dunlop Co., deposit to be refunded upon return of number. Promoters reserve right of barring any advertisement on riders’ costumes. The race will be held on September 22 next under the patronage and rules of the League of Victorian Wheelmen. * * * * A cycle tour around the world without money does not appeal to one as being particularly inviting, but such is the self-imposed task of two young cyclists named Liddle and Beckett, who arrived in Melbourne two weeks ago from South Africa. The cyclists, mounted on Dunlop-shod and Royal Enfield cycles, left Capetown on December 14 last, and have since then cycled through Cape Colony, the Orange River country and Natal, thence through native territory to Port Elizabeth, a distance all told of about 4000 miles. At Port Elizabeth a free passage was secured to Australia on board the s.s. Linden. Messrs. Liddle and Beckett intend staying about a week in Melbourne, and then push on overland to Sydney.

After cycling through Australia and New Zealand, their route will be through India, China, Japan, Europe and America, an itinerary that will probably take some four or five years to accomplish. The most troublesome part of the trip will be travelling through Northern India and China without money, for it was through this country that Foster Fraser, the well-known cycling traveller and journalist, had considerable trouble in passing, even when accompanied by two companions and plenty of funds. At all events the difficulties ahead are not frightening the youthful cyclists (Beckett is only 19 years of age), and despite the fact that they are entirely dependent on public generosity along the route for their food and shelter, they will probably succeed in their long ride if they can only successfully negotiate their way through Asia. * * * * As predicted in these columns, Frank Kramer, the American “ Speed King”, won the big four-cornered cycling match decided last month at the Crystal Palace track, London. Kramer simply played with Ellegaard (thrice world’s champion), Heller (Austrian champion), and Benyon (England’s fastest sprinter), and by his easy victories again emphasised what a remarkable sprint he is possessed of. In the three events over a quarter, half, and one mile, Kramer proved invincible, winning each with ease; thus vindicating the claim of his supporters, who state that the American champion is the fastest sprinter the world has yet produced, including even the flying Zimmerman, who was a wonder in his day, and will be remembered as racing in Australia towards the end of his racing career. Twice during the match the Yankee crack rode 147 yards, onetwelfth of a mile, in 8 2-ssec. Kramer, cyclists will be interested to learn, pushed a 104-inch gear (fitted inadvertently by his trainer instead of his usual 100 inch), 22 inch frame, 6% inch cranks, 27 inch wheel fitted with wooden rims, and inch diameter Dunlop racing tyres, and very deep racing handles.