Speedway Thrills

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 8

Speedway Thrills

Easy Win for Manawatu Riders STUNTING BY PUTT MOBSMAN Speedway crowds are growing, there being an even bigger attendance at last evening’s events on tho .Showgrounds held under the auspices of Manawatu Speedways. The programme was the most ambitious yet presented and fca tured a contest between Alanawatu and Christchurch teams. Tho southern riders, however, were laps behind the local boys in points, tho total being 29—7 in favour of Manawatu. The programme opened real “sell" for the audience—an exhibiton ride, it was announced, by “Aliss Betty Davis." The spectators were liberal iu their applause and equally appreciative in their laughter when informed that it had been Putt Mossman in disguise. Exhibition rides by tho Christchurch and Alanawatu teams followed and then came the team races. In the first race Ron. Vining (Alanawatu) took the load followed by Ray Grant (Manawatu) with Les Entwistle and Norm Neil (Christchurch) well back. Grant overtook Vining at the end of the second lap to win. His time was 85 4-ssec and Vining's 80. Manawatu 5 points, Christchurch 1 point. Putt Mossman (Alanawatu) held the lead all the way iu the second race to win in 87 4-ssec. Burly Mossman (Alanawatu) was second iu 88 4-5 with Jack Forbes (Christchurch) 3 and Tom Herbert (Christchurch) 4. Manawatu 10 points, Christchurch 2 points. Tho third race started unfortunately, Entwistle (Christchurch) crashing and suffering a clout on tho head from the handlo bars as ho went down. Ray Grant ran in first in 83sec with Putt Alossmann second, 85 2-5, and Jack Forbes third, 91sec. Alanawatu 15 points, Christchurch 3 points. Manawatu carried the guns in tho fourth race as well, Curly Mossman and Ron Vining completely outclassing the Christchurch men, Norm Neil and Tom Herbert. Alossman's time was 92sec and Vining's 94 sec. Alanawatu 20 points, Christchurch 4 points. Christchurch ran into second place in the fifth race, Tom Herbert making a break-neck dash across the line a fraction of a second ahead of Vining. Putt Alossman in a quarter of a lap shot from third place to win in 92 4-ssec. Herbert’s time was 94 2-ssec. Manawatu 24 points, Christchurch 0. The last of tho team's races saw the Christchurch team again well out of it. Iu fact Grant, who won iu 84sec with Curly Alossman a second back, was three-quarters of a lap ahead of the southerners. Final: Alanawatu 29 points, Christchurch '/ points. As an interval attraction in the race programme, a splendid series of stunts was staged by Putt Mossman and hia troupe. These included juggling with eggs while standing on a moving cycle, ladder climbing, riding a speedway motor over midget car going in the same direction on tho track, a triple riding event assisted by the mystery lady (a Palmerston North girl) and Dessie Grant, crashing through a blazing board wall on a motor-cycle, etc. All the items were executed with amazing skill and fascinated tho crowd, especially the ladder climbing and high kicking, a veritable giant coming down from the stand to hold tho broom. Handicap Races. The handicap races were next on the programme. The first heat was between Forbes (2secs.), Vining (3sec.), Garrity (4sec.) and Neil (fisee.). The winner was Vining (time, 93sec.) with Forbes second. For tho second heat Grant (scr.), Curly Mossman (2sec.), Tom Herbert (6see.) and K. Styles (6sec), lined up. Grant and Alossman fought out an exciting finish for the former to win in 92 2-ssec by 2-5 of a sec. Tho third heat saw Putt Mossman (scr.) challenged by Jim McLeod (3sec) Les Entwistle ((isec.). and Alorry Smith (6sec.). Smith led all the way to cover the four laps in 98sec. AicLeod was second with Alossman reducing the gap quickly. Final: Vining (91), Alossman (92 1-5), Grant (93 1-5). Smith crashed. The fastest riders in the heats other than the winners went into the Consolation event. They were Garrity, McLeod and Herbert. The last-named fell and Garrity had an easy win in 95.2-ssee. Midget Cars. The midget car iaces concluded the programme. The first lxeat comprised Putt Mossinan, Leu Southward and Ron Vining. The last-named konked out and Southward passed Alossman in the third lap to win in 99secs. The second heat went to Curly Mossman in 92 l-ssec. with Clarry Tonka second. Final: Alossman, who was the only one to finish. Riders’ Points. The leaders iu aggregate points were Curly Mossman 29, Ray Grant 21, Ron Vining 21, Putt Alossman 18, Jack Forbes 11, Tom Herbert 10. Ray Grant made an attempt on tho track record of 78 2-ssecs. for four laps held by Wally Kilinister (Wellington). Grant ’« time was 80 3-ssec.