Foul Weather And Greasy Track For Motor Cycle Club's Gymkhana

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 30, 16 March 1948, Page 5

Foul Weather And Greasy Track For Motor Cycle Club's Gymkhana

Despite the unsettled weather and a greasy track the Bay of Plenty Motor Cycle Club turned on a really first class exhibition of riding at its Gymkhana on Saturday afternoon. A larger crowd than was expected on such a day watched the riding, especially the rider's leap through the naming wall. This spectacular feat was performed by Frank Cameron and, just to show the spectators that there was nothing to it, he turned and went through again. In the main event of the day, the Miniature TT Handicap, there were 13 starters and all completed the course. The winner, K. Mudford, started from 60 seconds behind and yet finished in the fastest time of 15 minutes 38 seconds, which was good considering the condition of the track. Many spills at the corners added to the excitement but no one was severely hurt. L. Potter however had the misfortune to spill in the acceleration test and hurt his shoulder enough to put him out of the race.

J. Hauesler took second - place, with A. Marsh third.

The Waiheke Island champions Dixie Dean, Ken Mudford and Bill Grey put on some excellent displays. Dean, however, experienced considerable engine trouble and was not seen at his best. . Winners of the relay were Dean's team with J. Marsh's team second. This race was particularly difficult as the riders had to race down a straight course, do an about turn, - speed back up the course and exchange the flag with the next rider in line. Some hard skids came at the turn. The slow race, run over a measured distance and won by the rider who takes longest to negotiate the course, took remarkably steady riding and unusual sense of balance. The winners were J. Marsh (3| Triumph), B. Anderson (2| Matchless), A. Marsh (2f A.J.S.). A steeplechase over see-saws and up ramps proved the most amusing. The course consisted of three sets of ramps and a see-saw and the riders had to make three laps of the track. With the track in the condition it was, it took very good riding to take the corners and still -approach the obstacles at. the right angle. Many of the contestants stalled on the ramps arid were hung up by the crank-cases or else broadsided at the corners. J. Marsh won with A. Werner second and L. Cowie third. For such a wet day and greasy track the long jump of 33 feet by Ken Mudford was a creditable performance. In this event, the riders had to ride at speed On to a ramp to get the maximum distance, into their leap. In the acceleration tests, winners were: Senior, K. Mudford (SiTriumph), J. Marsh (3| Triumph), L. Rhodes (3i 8.5. A.); Junior, A. Marsh (2f A.J.S.), L. Simpson (2| 8.5. A.), B. Anderson (2| Matchless); Lightweight, A. Jesperson (2-i 8.5. A.), A. Teesdale (21- 8.5. A.), B. Woods m 8.5. A.). J. Marsh won the points cup awarded to the rider with the most points over the day with 16 points K. Mudford was next with. 15.

Tauranga Walker's Success

Competing in the New Zealand ! athletic championships held in Dunedin, W. Polley, a member of the Tauranga Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, won third place , !n the one-mile walk. He was' beaten by J. R. Hyslop and A. W. Beasley, two competitors from Otago. The time of the event was 7m 0 3-ss.

N.Z. Cricket Selectors

The secretary to the New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr E. E.- Luttrell, has announced that W. M. Wallace (Auckland), J. L. Kerr and W. A. Hadlee (Canterbury) have been appointed to select the New Zealand team to tour England in 1949.