SPEEDWAY RACING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 41, 18 February 1930, Page 16

SPEEDWAY RACING

FRANK PEARCE IN FORM

FINE BROADSIDING

Kcen>m<iiijs and spectacular broadsiding frequently aroused the enthusiasm of spectators at the Kilbiruic Stadium Speedway last night, when the meeting, postponed from Saturday night, was held in bleak weather. In spite of the strong southerly wind, some very fine performances were registered, notable among them being the brilliant effort, by Frank Pearce to lower the four-lap: record (from a rolling start) set up \>yC Spmks., J?earco made his attempt "at, .the .outset of the meeting, and, although the,'prospects were' not bright, he succeeded in equalling Spiuks's best time of lmin 20see. By one watch he was timed to cover the four laps in lmin 10 4-5 sec, but the others made the time equal to ,tbat of the existing record. In the course of his exceptional ride Pearce coy cred one of the laps in 19 3-ssec, which is also equal to the best time for a lap on the local track, and he repeated it during an event which he contested later in the ovening.i The noted Australian's performances received due. recognition from the spectators, who also showed their appreciation, of other meritorious performances during the evening. Other Australian competitors were Lionel van Praag, Mas Graham, and Eric Whittle, and all three were seen to advantage. Whittle was making his first appearance in. New Zealand, anil he demonstrated that ho is well up in the art of broadsiding. He and Graham were spectacular broadsiders, but it was in swinging wide at the bends that they lost ground in their races. A brilliant effort was made by Whittle to qualify for the semi-finals of the first division handicap, but in one of the most thrilling races ever seen on the track the visiting rider just failed to secure the place necessary to qualify. He''thrilled the spectators by his daring riding in the international race, in the final of which he managed to.gain second place after being apparently out of the running at the last bend. It was there, however, that C. Tonks, a local rider, who did well to qualify for the final, crashed. This big event was won -by van Praag, ■who was in fine form. But for being driven up against the fence on two occasions' during his heat, van Praag would also have taken a prominent part in the first division handicap, the final of which was confined' once again to local riders, W. Viggars. winning from W. Kilmister and W. B. Harvie. Kilmister registered the fastest' time of the evening from a standing start^-lmin 27 l-ssec. ■ This was in a heat, but. after that his: machine did not function properly, and he was compelled finally to drop out of the international event. > ' , The Silver Gauntlet contest was won by -R.'Ranby. In the final of this event'the other two competitors, 0. Tonks and A. Blair, treated the spectators to a novel contest. With about 300 yards to go, both competitors stopped' and, failing to-get their machines going .again, they set out for the finishing line on foot,-pushing their machines around the cinder track. It was hard work, but they stuck to it and staged a fine finish, Blair, who had been leading lor the greater part of this entertaining duel, being beaten by Tonks almost on the ?? st> m R3 n,b/ the Gauntlet from Mr. 1. Coltman, chairman of Wellington bpeedways, and was loudly cheered for his success as, he, covered an extra lap. The second division handicap was won by D. Phillips, with A. Pratt second During the evening there were a number ot spills, and these added to the thrills 1^ meeting. An announcement was made that there would bo further special conte S t s _ next Saturday night, when the Australians would bo in action again. DETAILED RESULTS. Results in detail arc:— credited m m will. 79 -l-Ssoc, the o"I cr line koenois clocked SOsec dead. Tlio lap liSos l^t. lap n Oscc Second lap 19 «%,„,. 'him i ai , .::::::::::.is vs£ FIRST DIVISION HANDICAP, of £50 ■n,T,\ r, ft h? at—T- Willtinson (2sec), lj.p rilillllis (3sec), 2; h. Van Praag (Aus.) scr Also started:, J. Youug (4sec). From a good start, Phillips and Wilkinson •both passed Young in the first lap, and at «?m"i way Phil"Ps led by toee lengths from Wilkinson. The positions were reversed, however, halfway round the third quarter, and Wilkinson had an advantage of 20 yards entering on the final quarter. He went on to win by 50 yards, with Van Praag, whose chances were spoilt by being pushed into tho ■ fence, in the second lap, another 10 yards back in third place. Times: Wilkinson. 90 2-Ssec; Phillips, 03sec; Van Praag, 90 4-ssec. Second heat.—W. Viggars (Bsec), 1; P. M'Gheo. (3sec), 2j,E. Whittle (Aus.) (2sec), 3. Also started: V. Grove (ssec). The riders were in the order starting at the end of the first Quarter and were well strung out. They were still the samo at half-way, though the distance had closed up a little. There was no alteration in tho order when the final round started, but Whittle made a great bid for the lead coming into the bend on the southern end. He was blocked by the other two, however, and a great finish saw Viggars win narrowly from M'Ghee, with Whittle about three lengths back third. - Times: Viggars, ■SB 3-ssec; M'Ghee, 9"sec; Whittle, 90 l-sscc . Third heat.—E. Kaylor (3seu), 1; W. Kilmister (scr), 2; A. Blair (Ssec),'3. Also started: M. Graham (Aus.) (2sec). • Graham had trouble with his cycle from the start, and at the end of tho first lap Blair led from Naylor and Kilmister. Kilmister closed up on the other two and Kaylor went to the lead in tho third lap. Blah- dropped back in »ho last lap, leaving Naylor to win by a length from Kilmister. Times: Kaylor, 90sec; Kilmister, 87 l-ssee; Blair, 9fisec. Fourth heat.—X. Kanby (3sec), 1;. B. Harvio (2sec), 2; F. PeaTce- (Aus.) (scr), 3. Also started: C. Tonks (4sec). Tonks was; leading from Itariby and Ilarvlo with a lap completed, Pearce being, well back. Going out of. the straight for the second time, Itanby cut' through on the inside of Tonks1. Harvlo was lying second at half-way, and when the last lap started Ho was on even terras with Kanby. Thero was nearly a collision when theso two raced out of the straight, but the riders recovered and Itauby came away to win a splendid race by two lengths. There were about ten. lengths between second and third. . Times: Kanby, 91 2-sscc; Harvie, 91 l-ssec; Peairco, 89 2-sscc. First Scml-flnal.—Viggars, 1; Phillips, 2. Also started: M'Ghee and Wilkinson. Viggars had a big lead on the other three at the end of the first lap. M'Ghee pulled out at the end. of the first lap, and Willtinson dashed In spectacular fashion just after starting the last lap., Viggars went on to win by nearly a quarter of a■ • length from .Phillips, only these two finishing. Times: Viggars, 94 3-ssec; Phillips,'B2seo.--.- ■■ Second Semi-final.—Harvie, 1; Kilmister, 2; Kanby, 3. Also started: Naylor. Kilmister started off in fine style and at the end of the first lap he was running second to Kanby and Harvio. He then had trouble with his machine, however, and fell back, Harvie taking the lead. Harvio went on to win by nearly 100 yards from Kilmister, who managed to ride, into second place in spite of tho fact that his engine was not running too well. Times: Harvio, 9! l-ssec; Kilmister, 92sec; . Itanb'y/ 97scc. ■..-■' ' . .;;: ;__ • Final. ■.• •' : W. ifrggurs* (Now -Hudson)-,■ Sscc ; 3 W. Kilmister ■ (Draccr Douglas), scr .2 W. Harvie/'(Douglas); 2&ec' ',3 Also started: P. Phillips (Wallace),'3sec.: Viggars's handicap, enabled him .to. havo'a big lead at the end of thd' first lap. Kilmlster's machine-did-not appear to be'functioning too well, and ho .was soon well back. Harvio took the lead' at half-way when Phillips puUed out, but when, rounding the northern bend in tho third lap Harvio took a crash. Viggars maintained his position to win by fully half a length from' Kiln)ister,;Harvlo finishing to qualify for third! place. Times: Viggars, 95sec; Kilmister, 100 2-ssoc; Ilarvle, 113 4-saec. SECOND DIVISION HANDICAP, of £25. First heat. —J.Lawton (4sec), 1; D. Philips (osec), 2; It. Appleyard (3soc), 3. Also started; T. J. Firth (2sec). . The bikes did not go too well at the start. Firth failing to get 'going. Phillips led Lawton by four lengths at the end of tho first lap. Lawton took the lead going round the northern bend for the second time. Lawton was leading by 20 yards <at" half-way, with Appleyard nearly half a lap back in third place. The order was unchanged at the boll, and an unexciting race ended with Lawton winning by 40 yards. Times: Lawfon, lOlscc," Philips, 104 sec; Appleyard, 110 2-ssec. Second heat. —11. It. Anderson (4scc). 1: A. Pratt (3sec), 2; J. Woodcock (2sec), 3. Also started: V. Mangham (scr). Woodcock had trouble with his bike from tho start, and was soon well back. At tho end of tho first lap Anderson led by nearly a quarter of a lap, and at half-way tho riders were well strung out, with Anderson still holding a

big advantage Ho went on to win by halt a furlong, with Woodcock tho best part of v lap buck, in mini place. Times: Anderson, OBscc; Pratt, lOOsec; Woodcock, 111 2-Sscc. FINAL, D. rhilips (A.J.S.), 5 sec JA. l'ratt. (Norton). 3sec * Also started: J. Lawton (New Hudson), 4 sec; H. li. Anderson (A.J.S.), 4scc. There was a good start, but Anderson was obliged to pull'out in tho first lap. Pratt had ridden into second place by tho time the first lap was completed. and Lawton s machine gave out In the third lap. Pratt had not under way again, but after completing a lap unco moro crashed in the same spot, leaving Phillips to finish unopposed. Pratt later completed the distance, (iiialifylug for second place. Timo, TOsec. KJLWItNIE SPKKDWAY SILVER GAUNTLET, £22; four laps; rolling start. (Uoldor, P. Phillips.) First Heat.—lS. Itanby, 1; A. Blair, 2. Also | started: V. Grove. . With a lap completed, the order was Blair, llanby, and Grove, with about 15yds between each. The positions were the same at halfway, but the gaps were closed up In the third hip. at: tho end of which Itanby and Blair were riding level, and Grove, who was close behind, came to Brief. Blair's machine gave out in tho last lap, Itanby winning on his own, although''Blair finished the course. Timo, 90 1-Ksec. Second Heat.— C.' Tonks;: 1. Also started: H. Phillips ami .1. Young. At the second attempt- the riders got away together, \o\ms iKklni! the luni] from Tonks and Phillips. Tonlis came through ,on the inside, when rounding the northern liend for Ihe second time, and was loading by about 10yds at halfway. Phillips huvinjr piiliod nut. Starting the linal round, Tonks had n bipr lend on Young, ivlio fell just, after goliiß out of the straight. Tonlis.was tho only one to. finish. Time, SG FINAL. lianljy (IS.S.A.) \ Tonlis (Southward Special) ............ - Also started: A. Blair (8.5.A.). , Blaii had the inside running, with Kanby next to him. Hiinby immediately took the lead from Tonks and lilalr, who followed in that order. The positions remained . unaltered, . although Blair dropped well back. Tonka's cn(rinc failed nt tho end of tho third lap, and Blair's also failed soon afterwards. Kanby won on his own. but the best part of the raco was to follow. With over a quarter of a lap to go Tonks and Blair set out to push their machines home, in order to qualify for second place. Tonks proved the winner In this amusing contest, which provoked a great deal of laughter in the crowd. Time, 89soe. •NTERNATIONAIi BIG NINE SCRATCH; Ist £15, 2nd £8, 3rd £5: other starters, £2 each. Four laps; rolling start. First" Heat— C. Tonks. 1; B. Harvio. 2; P. il'Gce, S.Kilmister's machine having been damaged, his place was taken by C. Tonks in this heat. M'Ghee had the inside running, with Harvie In the middle, and Tonks on the outside. M'Ghec and Tonks were riding level at the end of the first lap. but going out of the straight Tonks rodo round ills opponent, and took the. lead amid great enthusiasm. Tonks was riding in great style, and quickly established a big lead, eventually winning by 50yds. M'Ghee was well back in third place. Times: Tonks, 86 4-osec; narvie, S7 4-osec; M'Ghee, 88 2-ssec. Second Heat.—B. Whittle (Australia). I;.T. Wilkinson (New Zealand), 2. Also,started: F. Pearce (Australia). Wilkinson was on tho inside, with Pearce in-tho middle when tho riders got away to a good start. Immediately after leaving tho straight Pearco had trouble with/his'machine, and left the track. Whittle was riding llko an expert, and took the lead rrom Wilkinson, whom he gradually left further and further behind, to win by about 80yds. Times: Whittle, S4scc; Wilkinson,'SGsec. ■ Third Heat L." Van Praag , 1; M. Graham (Australia). ■2; E. Naylor (New Zealaud), 3. Van Praag gave a wcat exhibition of riding in this heat. Ho took the lead from the start, and gradually Improved his ad--vantage, to win by fully 100 yds. Graham and Naylor had'a duel over tho greater part of tho distance, Graham finally coming away to head off Naylor by 15yds. Times: Van Praag, S3soc; M. Graham, 85 2-ssec. ■riNAL.' ■'■ ■ ' ■'■ ■ L. Van Praag (Barley) • x E. Whittle (Douglas) ■ 2 Also started: C. Tonks (Southward Special) Van Praag, who had Tonks next to him, made tho most of tho inside course, and after leading out of the straight was never headed. Tonks held second place till the last lap, when Whittle, who had been weir back, came up fast. In a tussle between these two, coming round tho southern bend for the last time, Tonks came to grief. Whittle's engine gave out, possibly as the result of being,plentifully sprayed with cinders, but he coasted down the straight to fill second place. Time, 84sec.