Edgecumbe The Scene Of Thrills And Spills

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 4, 4 October 1950, Page 5

Edgecumbe The Scene Of Thrills And Spills

Edgecumbe was the scene of thrills and spills on Saturday whee the Bay of Plenty Motor Cycle Club held its first meeting in this area. Owing to rain,; the meeting had to be cancelled after only four events had been decided. However, up till then spectators were treated to skilful racing and close finishes under conditions which were not altogether ideal. The club has been anxious for some time to obtain suitable grounds for its sport and, through the efforts of keen local members and the generosity of the landowners, a quarter-mile grass track which complies with A.C.U. regulations was marked out and put into reasonable shape. Officials state that, with track improvements, New Zealand grass track championships could be held there. Local residents donated £6 toward trophies and about £26 was taken at the gate. v The most prominent rider was Leo Simpson, a local member with his imported A.J.S. He has been nominated for the Wanganui 100 at Labour weekend and in his present form should be in the money. Results: —

Novice Handicap, 4 laps: B. Williams (8.5. A.) 1, A. Jesperson (8.5. A.) 2, M. Head (A.J.S.) 3. Open Scratch Race, 6 laps, first heat: L Simpson 1, B. Woods 2, G. Samson 3. Second heat: T. Martin 1, J. Flavell 2, B. Scobie 3. Final: L. Simpson (A.J.S.) 1, B. Woods (A.J.S.) 2, T. Martin (Velocette) 3. 350 Scratch Race, 6 laps, first heat: L. Simpson 1, B. Scobie 2, A. Jesperson 3. Second heat: J. Flavell (Velocette) 1, B. Woods (A.J.S.) 2, T. Martin (Velocette) 3, Final: L. Simpson 1, T. Martin 2, B. Woods 3.

Open Handicap, 8 laps, first heat: P. Brightwell 1, C. Goodwin 2, B, Williams 3. Second heat: C. Vickery 1, B. Woods and J. Flavell equal 2. Final: Flavell 1, Goodwin 2, Woods 3.

At this stage the chief steward declared the track unsafe and the remaining six events were cancelled.