RECORD BROKEN

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 139, 9 December 1929, Page 17

RECORD BROKEN

SPEEDWAY THRILLS

KILMISTER'S ACHIEVEMENTS

EXCITING CONTESTS

Improved form and exciting raciug made the series o£ contests at the Kilbirnie Stadium Speedway on Saturday night the best to date this season from the point of view of performance. The first race of the night, from a push-oiF, was cut out by ,W. Sticpewich, the Australian, in the fast time of lmin 32 1-osec, and this was immediately followed by W. Ivilmister registering the same time under similar conditions. A high standard having been set at the outset, the competitors had a big task in keeping it up, but, with the track in much better order than at any previous meeting, they were able to give excellent displays, their broadsiding being spectacular and thrilling, and many of the races being very closely contested. In the end W. Kilmister topped off the evening's sport with a wonderfully fine performance, the large crowd according him' a great ovation for his success in retaining the Golden Helmet and repeating ■ the demonstration with greater enthusiasm when it was announced that he had broken the track record, established by the late Jack Arnott last season. It-was a fine finish to a good meeting, the ..conditions ■ forwhich, were splendid except for strong north-wes-terly wind. '■■'■■"- :'..:--.'. .... ■.■.■■••-- M'GHEE IN FORM. Proceedings commenced with a First Division Handicap race,' and in this the' back-markers were put-to a solid test;. In qualifying rounds "and final'the racing was keen and interesting, most of the com-, petitors showing improved form. Sticpewich, Kilmister, Ha-rvie, M'Kenzie,. and M'Ghee were outstanding, their performances providing thrills in plenty. M'Ghee, with a. start of seven seconds, set a solid pace in heat, semi-final, and final, and, making better time at each start, he carried off principal lionburs, with Kilmister taking second place. Datson (Australia) was third. The other events were decided under rolling start conditions, and in these, too, thrills were plentiful. A series of elimination races to decide the challenger for the Silver Gauntlet, resulted in . A. Pratt gaining the right to meet the holder, E. Naylor, but the challenge race had to be postponed until next Saturday owing to Naylor's machine not functioning properly. One of the features. o£ this series -was the good showing made by R. Ranby, middle-weight grass, track champion, who was making his first appearance as a "dirt track" rider-. He was : second; to Pratt in the final p£ the qualifying series. KIUMISTER'S SUCCESS. Eight selected riders provided spirited competition for the right to meet W. Kilmister in a special challenge race for the Golden Helmet. Tui Morgan was among them, but he was unfortunate in crashing •when, riding at his best to date, he appeared to' have his heat easily won M'Kenzie made good time m his heat, but in the final qualifying round he found M'Ghce just too good, and 11' Ghee, .who gavt a splendid account of himself throughout the evening met Kilm.ster -m the challenge race. So well did M <jnee perform that Kilmister had to move at his fastest to date, and the result was the establishment of a new record-one second Utter Than that put up by the late Jade Irnott at. the final meeting last season Kilmister's lap times compared. with those o£ Arnott were:— ■Kilmister. Arnott. Virst lat> . 22 l-ssec 22 sec Second lap::- £ «sec 22 4-gec Third lap 22 sec 12 4-ssec Fourth lap ' 22 sec 22 2-ssec Full distance lmin 29sec lmin3osee At the conclusion of the challenge race Kilmister was again presented with the Golden Helmet by Mr. T. Coltraan, chairman of Wellington Speedways. The handicapping and general arrangements "for the meeting were carried out in an efficient manner. It was announced during the meeting that Harry Mnngham, the noted New Zealand rider, who was one of the leading exponents ,o£ speedway racing in.Australia last season, would be returning from Christchurch this week to compete at next Saturday's meeting. DETAILED RESULTS. The following are the detailed results: — FIRST DIVISION HANDICAP. (Four laps; one mile.) First heat.—W. Sticpewich (Australia), lsee, 1; J. M'Kay, 7sec, 2. Also started: K. Naylor 9sec. The Australian made excellent headway, and heforo two laps were covered he was In the lead. He continued to ride well, and won-comfortably In excellent time. Baylor's machine did not function well. Times: Sticpewich, lmin 32 l-ssec; M'Kay, lmm Second heat.—W. Kilmister, scr, 1; W. Har■rte, 33ec, 2; V. Binaldi, Bsec, 3. Also started: J. Lawton 6sec. For two laps it looked as though Kilmister would be beaten, and ho was still behind Rinaldi and Harvie on enter-1 ins the last lap. These three competitors broadsided round the bends almost on terms over the last lap, a thrilling race ending in favour of Kilmister by half a length. The ■winner made fast time, particularly over the last two-laps. Times: Kilmister, lmin 32 1-5 sec; Harvie, lmin 3D 3-sscc. Third heat.—P. M'Ghce, 7sec, 1; J. Datson (Australia), scr. 2; A. Pratt, Ssec, o. Also Started: Tul Morgan 4sec. M'Ghee quickly passed Pratt, who fell in the second lap and remounted. Datsou's machine did not appear to be functioning satisfactorily, and M'Ghee increased his advantage, finally winning by two-thirds of a lap. Morgan was unable to •>et under way. Times: M'Ghee lmin 39 2-ssec, Datson lmin 51 3-ssec, Pratt 2min lsec.. Fourth heat.—C. It. M'Kenzie, 2sec, 1; Tim Wilkinson, 6sec, 2; R. Ranby, Vsec, 3. Wilkinson fell In the first lap, but was quickly on his machine, again, and eventually overtook Ranby on the last bend. M'Kenzie took tlie lead in . the second lap, and won comfortably. Times: M'Kenzie lmin 37 l-ssec, -Wilkinson lmin 45 3-ssec. Ranby lmin 4Ssee. First semi-final.—W. Harvie, Ssec, 1; w. Kilmister, scr, 2; J. M'Kay, 7sec, 3: Also started: W. Sticpewich (Australia), lsec. All moved-off well, M'Kay, holding his lead for over two laps. Sticpewich was riding well,-and it was not.until, the third lap had been entered that Ifilmister was able to pass him. At that stage the Australian dropped put owing to machine trouble. Harvie led into tho last lap and finished on in good stylo, winning by thirty yards from Kllmister, who passed M'Kay on tho last bend. Times: Harvie, lmin 34 4-ssec; Kilmister, lmin 33 3-oscc; M'Kay. lmlu 41 3-ssee. '

Second semi-final.—P. Jl'Ghec, 7suc. l'; J. Datson (Australia), scr, 2. Also started: C. R. M'Kenzie 2sec, Tim Wilkinson Csec. M'Ghee and Wilkinson made the most of their starts, but the latter.did not get far before he fell.. Datson and M'Kenzie had a keen tussle for two laps, while M'Ghee easily held his lead. JfKenzlo was heading well for second place when engine trouble caused him to drop out in the last lap. M'Gheo won by 2P.0 yards. Times.: M'Ghee lmin 3S 4-sscc, Dalson lmin 41 2-ssec. ' :

-■■■:■ ■. ' : Final. P. M'Ghee • (Xcw Hudson). 7sec 1 W. Kilmister (Draccr Douglas), scr ... 2 ,J. Datson, Australia (Douglas),, scr 3 Also started: \V. Hanio (Douglas). 3sec. Early In the raco Harviu foil, hut liv succeeded in getting under mv again, only to meet further trouble. M'Glicc set .1 merry i>ace, whilo Kilmister soon had Datson's measure. Kilmister succeeded in reducing M'Gheo's advantage by a. second or two, but M'Ghee, who gavo a fine'performance, had about 60 yards to spare at the finish. The riders were not aware that the race was over, and they covered an extra lap, M'Ghee beating off a strong challenge rrom Kilmister. Times: M'Ghcc, lmin 37 1-5 sec; Kilmister, Imin 34 4-ssec. SILVER GAUNTLET (Holder, E. Naylor. Four laps: rnlliiiK start). First heat.—,T. M'Kay, 1; A. C. Watt; 2. Also started; A. V. Radcliffe. From a good start Watt showed the way, but was soon overtaken by M'Kay, who staved off a strong challenge from Watt In the last lap. Radcliffe, aftes. striking trouble, made an eTfort to get going again, but was unsuccessful. M'Kay won by twenty-Bye yards. Times: M'Kay, lmin 40 3-osec; Watt, lmin 41 4-nsec. Second heat.—A. Pratt 1, V. Kinaldi 2. Also started: H. Imcbesl. From a great start Pratt took the lead, but the others kept in close attendance. Twice on the south bend I.ucchesi over-skidded, and on the third occasion he came down. The other two had a great "go." Pratt winning by six lengths. Times: Pratt, lmin 41 4-ssec; Rlnaldi, lmin 42 l-ssec Third heat.—X. Ranby 1, J. w Burt 2 A Blair 3. After one false start, tho competitors moved off together. Ranby was soon In front, and there he remained, gradually Improving his advantage. He won by about thirty j-ards, and for a novice did really wcli. ' Burt and Blair had a rare tussle for second place Times.:.Ranby. lmin 30 3-ssee; Burt lmiri 42 2-ssec. Final (winner to ' meet holder of Silver Gauntlet).-A. Pratt (Norton), 1; ]{. nanby (8.5.A.), 2. Also started: A. Blair (Harlcy) The first rolling start did not satisfy, hut the second W3s splendid, Pratt and M'Kay broadsiding round the first bend on equal terms M'Kay managed to secure a slight advantage' but Pratt clung to him. Two laps were cuv-

ored in 4G 4-ssec, but subsequently M'Kay came down and Pratt was loft with a good lead from Ranby. Pratt won comfortably. Times: Pratt lmin 35 l-ssec, Ranby lmin 38sec. After the raco M'Kay lodged a protest regarding the cause of his fall, but tills was dismissed by the referee.

SILVER GAUNTLET CHALLENGE.

Tho race between E. Naylor (holder) and A. Pratt (challenger) was postponed owing to Naylor's machine not being in order.

GOLDEN HELMET.

(Holder, W. Kilmister. Four laps; rolling starl). First heat.—l. Datson (Australia), 1. Also started: Tul Morgan, J. Lawten. After onu unsuccessful start, the three riders weut away together, Morgan soon taking tho lead. After a lap had been covored Lawton dropped out and then Morgan fell just as Datson dropped out. Morgan remounted, but fell again, and the race was held later. This tlmo Morgan again took the lead and, riding well, lie increased his advantage, being over 200 yards to the good on entering tho last lap. By this time Lawtou had dropped out. Morgan was going "great guns" at tlie last bend, but on entering the straight ho crashed. He tried to get going again, but failed, Datson thus winning without opposition. Morgan's first thruo laps were covered In 69 4-ssec. Datson's time for the full journey was lmin <17sec.

Second heat.—P. M'Ghee. 1; W. Stlcuewlch (Australia), 2. Also started: W. Harvie. Tito Australian took the lead from the start, and worked up a good advantage over M'Ghee. Harvio fell during the first lap. -With only tho last bend to be negotiated Sticpewich crashed, and M'Ghee was left to win easily. Sticpewich remounting and filling; second place. Times: M'Gliee lmin 3Gsec, Sticpewich lmin 44 3-ssec; The Australian covered the first two laps in 45sec.

Third heat.—C. R. M'Kenzie 1, Tim Wilkinson 2. After some delay whilo Wilkinson's machine received attention, the pair moved off to a splendid start, and had a great "go" over the first lap. M'Kenzie was then forced' to pull up, and in the third lap Wilkinson fell. The race was decided again, and the two riders! had a rare -tussle,- with ''...M'Kenzie always a little to the good until the two were on terms for (he. last lap;: A stirring race was won by three lengths. Times: M'Kenzie lniin 33 3-ssec, Wilkinson lmlni3osec. ■■- Final (winner to meet holder of Golden Helmet). —P. M'Ghee (New Hudson). 1; C. R. M'Kenzie-(Southward Special), 2. Datson (Australia), was unable to. start, being without a machine In -running - order. From a flne start M'Gheo gained a slight lead-on M'Kenzie, who mado repeated efforts to change the position, but without success. The race was throughout., M'Ghee winning by about twenty yards. M'Ghee's time was lmin .35 -2-ssoe-. ■;..:.; ..:... GOLDEN HELMET CHALLENGE. W. Kilmister' (Dracer Douglas) 1 P. JM'Gheo (New Hudson) 2 From a splendid start' Kilmister (holder) quickly took the lead, but M'Ghee held well to him; for a.- couple of -laps. Tlie broadsiding was spectacular, and the pace hot. After covering; two laps in 45sec, Kilmister continued to shift the cinders hi great style, increasing his lead and finally winning by about eighty yards..- The performance was the best of the night, and the enthusiasm with which It was received was renewed, when Kilmister's time was announced—lmin 29sec, a record for the track. M'Ghee's time was lmin 33 l-ssec.