CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 861, 6 September 1906, Page 11

CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

THE TIMARUTO-CH FUSTCHURCH ROAD RACE. This big annual contest took place on Saturday under very fine weather conditions, the roads being very dry and rather dusty. No less , than 181 riders faced the starter, this being a record for the race. There was an immense crowd on the Riccarton racecourse to witness the finish, and spectators encroached so much that the work of accurately placing the men became almost impossible, and there is a prospect of some of the placings being altered, as numerous protests were lodged. The first rider to complete the long journey was the Hokitika rider, G. W. A. McHarry, who, with a 38min handicap, arrived at 6hr 13min 18sec. The others followed him as follows: —A. Birch (Fendalton (34min), 6hr 19min 37sec, 2; B. Pointon (Temuka), 35min), 6hr 20min 41sec, 3; P. M. O’Connor (Cricklewood, smin), 6hr 19min 41sec, 4; L. A. Curtis (New Brighton, 50 min), 6hr 35min 41sec, 5; W. J. Stevens (Dunsandel, 45min), 6hr 30min 49sec, 6; T. Birch (Fendalton, 42min), 6hr 31min 18sec, 7; S. Watson (Papanui, 35min), 6hr 24min 19sec, 8. The fastest times were made by H. E. Mehotens (Spreydon, 25min), 6hr 15min 17sec; J. Arnst (Geraldine, scratch), 6hr 17min 4sec; H. Henderson (Palmerston North, scratch), 6hr 17min 13sec; A. Birch (Fendalton, 34min), 6hr 19min 37sec. In a five miles tandem-paced (human) match race between Macfarland and Samuelson, the former won handsomely. The contest took place at Salt Lake, where Samuelson is well known, and a general favourite, and a huge crowd was present. In winning the match Macfarland added another record to his already long string, having covered the five miles in 9min 53sec. It has been accomplished in faster time behind motor pace.

Another record was made by Iver Lawson at the same meeting, the event being a threequafter-mile handicap, which distance he covered in Imin 21 2-ssec. This was in a heat. In the final, N. C. Hopper, who is also known in Australia, crossed the line first, from a handicap of 60 yards, in exactly the same time, Lawson running a very close second —a fine indication of his form and consistent riding. In a half-mile open handicap Lawson and Macfarland came first and second in that order.

Subsequently, at Ogden, E. A. Pye, the Victorian, put up a record ride on a l< saucer” track, at Glenwood Park. It was in a scratch race, of five miles, in which were Macfarland, Downing, Fogler (a six days’ champion), and other good riders competing. After going about 10 laps, Pye sprinted, and had half a lap lead before the others realised what was happening, and riding strongly, increased his advantage, and was soon hanging on behind the bunch with a lap to the good. Notwithstanding some hard pacing by Macfarland, and one or two others, Pye could not be shaken off, and he won by almost a lap, in the splendid time of 9min 48 l-ssec. The former record of the same class was lOmin 32sec, made by W. E. Samuelson. In addition to winning the first prize, Pye also secured 28 lap prizes.

An example of how not to lay the dust is furnished by an occurrence which is reported from Walla Walla, Wash., U.S.A. Heavy coarse straw had been placed on the road to keep down the dust, and in passing over this a Franklin car caught up some of the straw, which, becoming entangled in the rear axle, locked the wheels, and caused them to heat so that they set fire to the straw, and the car itself was destroyed.

One of the best-known motorists in Auckland is Mr. Arthur Myers, our worthy Mayor. He drove his fine car out to Alexandra Park on Saturday, and after the match brought the rival captains, Kiernan and Wallace, home in it.