Motor Cycling

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 63, 11 March 1949, Page 5

Motor Cycling

Whakatane Man Wins At Marton

The Rangitikei Motor Club held a most successful grass track race meeting at the Marton racecourse on Saturday. The weather was fine and there was an attendance of about 7000. Although speeds were high, the track was not fast, and the world’s grass track speed records established by Percy Coleman 20 years ago were not broken. Rod Coleman, a son of the record holder, made the fastest time on his M.S.S. Velocette when he averaged 73.4 m.p.h. for the mile circuit. The only representative of the Bay of Plenty Club, Jack Marsh, Whakatane, rode well to gain a first, a third and two fourth places from four starts. Considering this rider had not previously competed in this class of race, and that most of the New Zealand champions were riding, his was a creditable performance.

In the New Zealand Lightweight Championship race, Len Perry, of Auckland, by superior riding defeated Bill Bowe, Wellington, tlo take first place, after a neck and neck struggle over the whole eight miles, in the most exciting race of the day. The New Zealand Lightweight Championship was won by Rod Coleman on his Velocette, very easily. M. King, on a Manx Triumph led from the rolling start with Coleman about 20 yards behind, and the

latter could make no impression until in the sixth lap King ran wide and allowed Coleman to take the lead. Results were:— Open Novice Handicap (5 miles): Rod Coleman (scr) 1, Bob Coleman (lOsec) 2, C. Denby (45sec) 3, J. Marsh (15sec) 4. Time 5.35. 31 h.p. Handicap (6 miles): J. Wilson (30sec) 1, M. King (25sec) 2, C. Lowe (25sec) 3. Time 5.55 2-5. N.Z. Lightweight Championship (8 miles): Len Perry 1, Bill Bowe 2, B. Coleman 3. Time 7.1. N.Z. Middlewieght Championship (8 miles): R. Coleman (6min 50sec) 1, M. King '(6min 58sec) 2, B. Bowe (6min 58 4-ssec) 3, J. Marsh (6min 59sec) 4. 2f h.p. Handicap (5 miles): B. Coleman (ssec) 1, B. Bowe (20sec) 2, R. Milne (30sec) 3. Time 5.27 2-5. Open Handicap (6 miles): C. Lowe (30sec) 1, R. Coleman (scr) 2, J. Marsh (25sec) 3. Time 5.37 4-5. Touring Handicap (4 miles): R. Milne 1, W. Edwards 2, E. Hartley 3, Time 5.7. Consolation Handicap (5 miles): J. Marsh (ssec) 1, B. Lett (20sec) 2, L. Atkins (15sec) 3. Time 4.50.

Kangitaiki Axemen’s Sports SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Edgecumbe Domain