AIR RACE PROPOSED FOR SOUTH ISLAND

Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1947, Page 7

AIR RACE PROPOSED FOR SOUTH ISLAND

4P ■Press Association

By Telegrayh-

CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. A 1000-mile air race round the Soutli Island, starting and linislxing at Harewood and lasting two days, is to tarua by the Canterburv Aero Club in February next year. The race will bc for liglit aircraft 011 a handicap basb and it is proposed that the winnet should receive a cup and £500. Second and third prizes will be £^50 and £100 The conunittee of the club decided t( run the race after & scheme had been outlined by the president (Mr. H. D Chris'.ie). * A race committee was appointed to organise the event which it is hoped to hold eacli year. Mr. Christie said the question oi running a Soutli Island air race had been diseussed with the management committee. The proposal was that light aircraft should race from Harewood to Harewood flying down the east eoasl to Dunedin and possibly Invercargill, and then back to Alexandra. From there the route wouhl be across to Big Bay 011 the \Yest Coast and then 011 to Westport, Tophouse, Nelson, Blenheim and back to Harewood. That would be approxiniately 1000 miles for liglit aircraft 011 a handicap basis and there was a possibility that there would be an open class if suflicient • entries were reeeived. Mr. Christie added that the Mayoi (Air. I. E. H. Andrews), city engineer (Air. E. Somers), and the publie relations ofticer (Air. T. H. Langford), had been approached. All were whole hea'tedly in support of the scheme. A sub-eonimittee that had diseussed the proposal had in mind to oft'er £S50 in prizes, £500 and a cup for first, £250 for second and £100 for third. This race should be an annual affair. The sub committee had thouglit it wise from the safety angle to confme the- race to the South Island as there would be nc water to cross and the aircraft would be flying 011 definite routes.