SPEED VICTIMS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1927, Page 4

SPEED VICTIMS

DEATHS ON SYDNEY TRACK. SYDNEY, Feb. 10. Since the speedway at Maroubrn, oil the outskirts of Sydney, was built, about two years ago, no fewer than six men have been killed on the track. When the first two men were killed when travelling at a high speed, their car suddenly leaving the track for no apparent mechanical reason, there was considerable speculation as to the safety of the speedway and a strong demand for an enquiry whether it was safe for ears travelling over a certain speed was made through the Press. Expert opinion was called at the Coro. nial enquiries held into the deaths ol the victims, but such was the divergence of opinion regarding the cause of the accidents that no official finding on the point was given. The fact remains, however, that three of the accidents, through* which four of, the victims were killed, occurred at approximately the same point on the speedway. It- is only a few weeks ago since a very popular driver, “Phil” Garlick. met his death during a race his car

suddenly swerving up the track and crashing over the top into a telegraph post. Sydney was horn mm to learn cn Sunday that the speedway had claimed yet another victim m Fred Barlow, a garage proprietor at Glebe, who had crashed oil Saturday nighi and subsequently died in the hospital. AT 85 .MThKS. Barlow was a .sporting and a pinch.' driver. Me began racing at the Alaroiihi'n specdwav about 18 monhs ago, in a Brescia model Bugalti. hut he was not driving this ear on Saturday night. Indeed, this was the first time that lie had driven the car ill wind he received his fatal injuries. At the time of the crash he was driving at the terrific speed of 85 miles an hour and had just overhauled an opponent when the ear left an easily graded portion of the track leading to a high hank near the straight, and to the horroi of the spectators disappeared over the top. He was subsequently picked up. still conscious, and taken to hospital, hnt lie died next day. , Other motorists killed on tim speedwav were L. J. Salmon and A. \ . Vaughan, who were driving in .the same ear at the time <d their clash. Sid Button, and R. G. Garliek.

Motor racing lias become an extremely popular spoil, in Sydney in the last two years, but accidents oi this natmc will tend to mar its popularity. .Motorcycling especially claims many votm ies and meetings are held frequently in Sydney, both at M'arouhrn and on a d'irt track at the Royal Sydney Showgrounds, while weekly meetings are also held at various country centres. Several notable American motor-cycle riders are making good money at, the sport, and several New Zealanders, including Spencer. Stratton and Jack Sweney. have also done very well and are ill tho first flight of the riders here.