NO RECORDS BROKEN AT SPEEDWAY

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 36, 12 February 1937, Page 7

NO RECORDS BROKEN AT SPEEDWAY

1 Milson Handicap Won by Ray Grant PUTT MOSSMAN CRASHES THROUGH FLAMING WALL With a number of new riders making their initial appearance, there wan plenty of novelty to interest the large gallery at the Manawatu Speedway meeting last evening. Two Australians, Duggan and Melhuish, two Aucklanders. B. Smith and Sol Casey, and T. Woods, of Wanganui, made their debut to Palmerston North fans. Smith rode with conspicuous success. The most successful riders during the evening were: Ray Grant (20 points), B. Smith (23 points), C. Mossman (19 points), P. Mossman (18 points), J. McLeod (16 points). Those competing during the evening were: Putt Mossman (U. 5.4)» Kay Grant (U.S.A.), Curly Mossmau (U.S.A.), Aussie Melhuish (Australia), Vic Duggan (Australia), Brian .Smith (Auckland), Sel Casey (Auckland), Les. Entwhistle (Christchurch), Jim McLeod (Wellington), Joe Garrity (Otaki), Morry Smith (Palmerston North), Rusty Styles (Palmerston North), Eric Pinker (Palmerston North), M. McDonald (Palmerston North), P. Phillips (Wellington), T. Woods (Wanganui). Details of races follow: Rangitikei Handicap (t Laps, Rolling Start;. First heat: Styles (Gsec) 1, McLeod (3sec) 2, Pinker (7sec) 3; time, 99 2-i> sec. Also started: Helhuish (ser.). The Australian was unlucky to crash halfway through the raco on his first appearance on the track. He was unhurt. Second heat: Grant (scr) 1, Garrity (4sec) 2, Woods (ssec) 3; time, 94 3-ssec. Also started: Casey (2sec)* Third heat: C. Mossman (2sec) 1, Phillips (Csec) 2, M. Smith (6sec) 3; time, 97 2-ssee. Mossman's win was a popular one; it was his first appearance since his recent marriage. Fourth heat: P. Mossman (scr) 1, B. Smith (2sec) 2, McDonald (7sec) 3; time, 95 l-si*ec. First semi-final: Grant (scr) 1, Style# (6sec) 2, McLeod (3sec); time, 94sec. Also started: Garrity (4sec). This was a first-class display. Styles «hot away fast, but Grant rode like a champion from the first circuit. He displaced McLeod on the straight during the third lap, and hammered up to the front to head Styles and take a grand 10-yard win. Garrity just faded out. Seconl semi-final: P. Mossman (scr) 89sec 1, B. Smith (2sec) 2; time, 89sec. Also started: C. Mossman (2sec), P. Phillips (6sec). Mossman rode another rac# out of the box. and won by six lengths. C. Mossman had engine trouble at the outset, while Phillips was eliminated for a like reason after a grand opening. H# was still leading tbe race wheu his engine went missing.

Final: Smith (2sec) 1, Grant (scr) 2, •Styles (6sec) 3; time, 87 2 ssec. Also started: P. Mossman (scr). There was no famine of thrills in inis race. They started when Grant threw off Mossman and went after Smith, with Styles still riding in front. Then the limit man cornered badly to lose his place to Smith, and then to go behind Grant. Mossman was thrown on the third circuit taking a bend too closely. Myles recovered well after contacting with tho fence, and was lying a distance 1 third over the finishing mark. Smith led by a generous margin. Consolation Handicap (for four fastest riders not qualified in final of previous event). McLeod (3sec) J, Phillips (3#ec) 2, Garrity (4sec) 3; time, 87 l-ssec. McLeod soon ’displaced his starting-com-panion, and went in front of Garrity to widen the gap steadily. Puillips duelled into second place, and the race was won by 35 yards with 20 between second and third. Milson Scratch Race (4 Laps Ciut-h Start). First heat: Duggan 1, M. Smith 2; time, 04sec. Second heat: Grant 3, B. •Smith, 2, Styles 3; time/ 91 2-ssec. Third heat; P. Moasuiau I, 2; time, 87 3-ssec. Fourth heat: C. Mossmau I, McLeod 2; tiaie, Wfcee. Final; R. Grant 1, G. Mossman 2, Phillips 3; time, 85sec. Also started: Duggan, P. Mossmau. The winner led all the way, with (j. Alossman keeping what might have nceu a measured distance. Phillips rode third for the whole distance, and the finish was a well spaced one. Second Consolation Race (4 Laps— Clutch Start). B. Smith 1, McLeod 2, M. Smith 3; time 89sec. This was another piece of clever riding by the Aucklander who Handled his machine superbly. A late challenge by McLeod added colour to the race, which was won by half a length. Attempts on Track Record. The first to attempt tthe track records was P. Mossman, who was the fastest rider in previous events*. He failed to break the record over any distance. His times over 3,2. 3 and 4 laps, W’ith the records in parentheses, were: 20 l-s»ec (19 3-ssec), 40 44-s»ec (39 4-ssec), 63 l-ssec (GOsec), 84ee« (78 2-ssec). Curly Mossmau did better. Jtlis times were: 19 4-ssoc, 39 4-ssec the record), 60 4-ssec, and 81 4-ssee. Through Wall of Flame. The evening ended with Putt .'dossman’s spectacular board wall crash, twice performed. His exploit of riding full tilt through the wall of flame found great favour. ing at 3.25 p.m. with & verdict for defendant as it was held that plaintiff’s negligence had contributed to the accident. Judgment for defendant was entered with costs, witnesses’ expenses and disbursements.