FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 2, 1 October 1948, Page 5

FROM THE WORLD OF SPORT

TOMORROW’S MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS: THRILLING RACES MAY BE EXPECTED Tomorrow the Bay of Plenty Motor Cycle Club is holding a grasstrack race meeting on the Showgrounds. Unlike the previous meeting held on this ground, five of the events will be run on the oval onethird mile track and consequently the public will see some spectacular racing. Those who followed the sport in the years previous to the war will well remember the thrills they enjoyed on the mile tracks such as Opotiki and Takapuna and the local club is endeavouring to reawaken public interest in these high speed competitions.

The main event of the day will be a miniature Tourist Trophy race of 15 laps for which the first prize is £ls, which was donated by Messrs A. Marsh Snr., G. Goodwin and P. Bigwood. All riders are determined to win this, so the one who does will have to ride “flat out” to do it. Quite a number of visiting riders have notified that they will be racing, but local interest will be centred on several of the club’s riders who now own machines that are capable of competing with the best in the country. These are A. Teesdale, with- a Speed-Twin Triumph, A. Marsh on his Tiger 100, F. Cameron on- his International Norton,' and J. Marsh, on his ‘hotted-up’ Speed-Twin Triumph. It will be remembered that the last-named, at the recent hill climb equalled fastest time with two of New Zealand’s best riders and, as his machine is being tuned by W. Bigwood, who won. several North Island and New Zealand Championships on the big tracks in the prewar years, he can be depended on really to ‘burn-up’ the track. Frank Cameron’s Norton is going well and, although the track is rather small for this big machine, it will be ridden by an experienced rider who will handle it to the best advantage, and as it holds the New Zealand Beach Championship and the New Zealand Air-Strip Championship it will be worth watching.

Rowing Club Annual Meeting Shows Keenness For Coming Season

Over 30 members and intending members attended the annual meeting of the Whakatane Rowing Club on Wednesday night, and from the keen interest they showed, there is eyery reason to hope for an even better season than last year. The following officers were elected:—

Patron, Mr B. Sladden; president', Mr R. T. Morpeth; vice-presidents, Mrs R. Biggins, Messrs J. Patterson, R. Ferry, R. Price, P. Coutts, C. S. Armstrong, T. Atkinson, S. Carter, L. King, N. Bremner, H. G. Warren, J. D. Rivett, B. Sharpe and Dr Maaka; Club captain, Mr B. Norman; vice-captain, Mr G. Moore; secretary, Mr J. Turpin; treasurer, Mr R. King;, committee, Messrs H. Cutler, S. Shapley, W. Stuart, P. Armstrong, L. Carey, G. Dines and G. Henry. ' In his annual report, the president, Mr R. T. Morpeth, wrote:— “The season'has been most successful, both socially and financially and a good ftam of young rowers have advanced during the year to a stage where they will only need polishing up in the finer points of racing to, become good Regatta oarsmen.

“Membership stands-at approximately 40, a record for many years. “Crews were entered for Hamilton, xTauranga and Ngaruawahia Regattas and, although only four third places and two fourth places were secured, much ‘ valuable experience was gained. With solid training these same crews. may be expected to secure some first places in the coming season. “Trial Fours were keenly contested throughout and 12 sets in all were held with an average of five crews per trial. The club possesses some fine trophies for competition. The various Challenge Cups were also rowed for on a number of occasions.. \ “The club is fortunate in possessing one racing four in good condition and three practice fours in fair condition. The latter are being overhauled at present. The new practice four on order from Australia should arrive in time for the new season and will enable the captain to get all crews on the water between 5 and 6 p.m. v?.' . “Members have co-operated loyally with the committee in organising several bottle drives and a street stall for the benefit of the club

funds generally. With long distances to transport boats and crews;/ to Regattas it is necessary for the club to raise funds (other than subs) in order to meet heavy overhead expense. Members should also not lose sight of the fact that a new boathouse is-required and that should be supplemented each year. '"/■ Although our Bank balances are reasonably good, the new boat mentioned earlier has to be paid for and your committee would like to further extend the plant as soon as finance will permit.. “The Social Committee has done great work during the year. “Thanks are due to our Club Captain, Mr Bert Norman, for his untiring work and enthusiasm, to Mr Bert Cutler, the live Chairman of the Social Committee, Mr Don Stewart, the efficient secretary, and all members of the committee. The club acknowledges with thanks all trophies donated and assistance rendered. To the coxswains for the grand job they did during the season the club expresses sincere thanks.”

Extremely, Strong Fields At Te Aroha Tomorrow

Most interest will be taken in the showing of Mitchelson Cup acceptors, many of which appear amongst the contendors for the Ralph Somers Memorial, the main race at Te Aroha tomorrow. The programme has attracted extremely strong j fields and possible favourites may include:— Herriesville Hurdles: Hunting Mac. Flying Jirp; Town Echo. Trial Handicap, First Division: Gollan, Lady Finis. Second: Vice Chancellor, Herowin. - Nursery Handicap: Biassed, Lady -Zenib, Gold Script. Ralph Somers Memorial: Ascot Lad, Valley Boy, Star Performer. Mangaiti Hack Handicap, First Division: Rare Fox, Bouquet, Silver Lap. Second: San Rosa, Forest Ranger, Venio. Mokena Hack Handicap: Kyrat, Lady Bian, Silver Secret. Second: ; Jon Rosa, Highfield, Dakota. Electric Handicap: Flowerburn, Lyn Vaals,'Contango,. Waimata Handicap: l Gay • Youth,* Robin Leigh, Foxwyn.