CINDER-SIFTINGS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 140, 11 December 1930, Page 26

CINDER-SIFTINGS

TEAM RACES POPULAR

The first taste of team racing by motor-cyclists on the cinder track has created a demand for more. The trial of this form of competition at tho Kilbimie Stadium Speedway last Saturday was very satisfactory, and after that experience it was sasy to understand why team racing has been so popular in England. With four competitors in each race of the teams' contest last Saturday and points awarded for riders finishing in first, second, and third places, the interest in the competition was not confined to the battles for first place; in fact, quite a number of the tussles for the one point for third place were more exciting than some of those for the maximum award. The teams, captained by J. Bishop and W. Kilmister, were well matched, and it was left to the last of the nine races to settle the issue. But for the fact that Wilkinson fell in that final race there would not have been much difference between the aggregate scores of the teams. Followers of the sport are now looking forward to further teams' contests, and it is understood that they will not have to wait long before they are provided with a match between teams far and away above those which provided the trial last Saturday. . .With each meeting tho form of local competitors is improving. Among the improvers to show up splendidly last week were S. Palmer and A. W. Hunger, both of whom put up some exceptionally fine times considering their place in the order of ranking. E. Naylor, who has. been trying hard for a win, achieved his object in the open handicap, and his success was popular, although it came about only as the result of very bad luck suffered by C. Tonks in falling when in the lead at the final bend. Harvie was not at his best, but Kilmister indicated that ho is now almost back to the top of his form. Wilkinson also makes fast times when he completes a full journey, and he is going to be a good match for Kilmister. A special contest between the pair would be welcomed, as also would some attacks on records. All six members of the British test team are due in Wellington next Tuesday, and they are to be given an official reception by the New Zealand Auto Cycle Union on Wednesday. Hilary Buchanan, one of the finest handicap riders 'seen in Queensland, and Lyn. Hale, another of Queensland's well-known exponents of broadsidmg, are to make their first appearance on the Wellington cinder track on baturday night. Auckland Items. A W. Mattson, Auckland and New Zealand dirt track champion, was tho star of tho Western Springs Speedway on Saturday night. Ho scooped the pool, winning the six events for which he entered. Mattson's race with Hale was a thrilling spectacle, at times tho men riding almost shoulder to shoulder (states the Auckland "Star"). The Brisbane rider, Buchanan, rode an amazing race in tho final of the New Zealand v. Australia match series. After he had covered one lap he blew a tire, and rode tho rem™g three laps with a flat back wheel. When this was made known to tho crowd by the announcer, Buchanan was accorded tumultuous applause, as despite this great handicap he finished only a second or two behind. . Mattson put up tho best time or the night, registering lmin 2Gsee from a rolling start, one lap of which was covered in 20 4-ssec. It is likely that next Saturday night he will make an attempt on Frank Pearce's one lap record, and it would not be surprising if he succeeded in cutting down the time. He is streets ahead of any of the other local riders—so much so, indeed, that several of their handicaps will have to be increased if they are to be anywhere close to the winner at the finishing line. There is a good deal of speculation among tho riders in the pit as to who will be chosen for the team to go to Wellington after the New .Year. Alt. Mattson, of course, will lead the team, but there are so many riders all about the same standard that the selectors will have a difficult job making the final selection. Some of those who have their eyes on the trip would do well to remember that it is not always speed that wins races. Canterbury v. Otago. The interprovincial contest between, riders from Canterbury and Otago was a decidedly popular innovation at Christchurch last Saturday. This was decided by nine matches, a win in. each one giving three points, a second two points, and a third one point. It was eventually won by Otago by 27 points to 26. Most of the Otago riders were ex-Wellingtonians. Those responsible for arranging the interprovincial match are to be congratulated oe the move. Not only does such a match provide greater interest for the public, but it affords the riders tho chance of watching the action methods of riders from other centres, and possibly learning something from them, states the "Christchurch Press." H. Mangham, the Otago rider, clearly showed himself superior to any of the Canterbury men on Saturday evening, though E.E. Marsh was nearly as good, and E. G. Pyke and C. Blacklock were not far below his standard. Mangham's machine was possessed of terrific power of acceleration, and he was always first round the corner after the fall of the flag. When he was leading he kept his front wheel close to the grass all the time, and went round the bends in beautiful slides. When about to overtake he kept fairly wide out and came swooping in at the corners. Incidentally, he at times appeared to cut dangerously close in front of the man ho was passing. It was a pity he crashed in the final of the South Island championship, when he and Marsh were having a magnificent race and providing the best spectacle of the evening, as but for the unfortunate spill ho would almost certainly have won.