THE SPEED TRACK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 12 January 1931, Page 9

THE SPEED TRACK

MOTOR CYCLE RACING THRILLING RACING WITNESSED The splutter of exhausts as riders swing oil at the start; the specks in the distance coming nearer and nearer, with an over-louder roar as they pass and disappear round the curve in a whirl of exhaust fumes and dust; the tin-ill as rider overtakes rider; the tense second when a wheel skids momentarily on taking a corner fast. These are some of the features that make motor cycle racing so popular, and attracted the crowd to Richmond Park on Saturday afternoon on the occasion of the tenth annual motor cycle sports. Many of the old popular riders were back as well as a number of riders and machine new to Nelson. The highpitched “humble-bee” note of the Scott raised considerable laughter. The two most successful riders were Morgan and Everett . The former gained a first place, three seconds and a third, and the latter two firsts, a second and a third. Everett was also first in another race but was disqualified. Ranby had two firsts, and Coleman a first, a second and a third. The races were got off to time and there were no hitches in the programme. The chief event of the day, the Nelson Handicap, was won by S. Morrison of Wellington, on his 31,- h.p. Scott, handicap 50sec:s. W. Higgs, the first man off the mark, led at the end of the first lap. Morrison took the lead in the second lap with Higgs and MeCleary Iving second and third respectively. The positions were the same after the fourth lap but Morrison had increased his lead. Coleman was overtaking several machines and after the fifth lap lie was fifth, with Morgan ahead of lnm. At the end of the sixth lap he had como up to third place, with Tui Morgan second, and Morrison a good first. Morrison maintained his bin lead and won easily. Morgan and Coleman fought out a thrilling duel for second place, and coming up the straight all out the pace was terrific. Morgan, however, kept iiis place and Coleman came thud. Coleman, a favourite with the crowd, was watched with keen interest as he drew up from 10th to stli and then to 3rd place. The Nelson-Marlborough Cup was won by a Nelson rider, J. W. Mitchell (handicap 85secs.) on a 3i- h.p. Norton. The first starters had a lap lead on Fuller, the scratch man, who, after a poor start, rode well, but could not make up his handicap. The race was really between Everett, on - his Indian, and Mitchell. Everett led till the last lap, when, in an exciting finish, Mitchell passed Everett just before the post- A Blenheim rider, Rutledge, was Iu a close finish in the Novice Handicap Everett won narrowly from O. Livingstone. Everett was riding his Black. burn. , . , , r.i The South Island Lightweight Championship had five starters. From a rolling start Ranby drew away and was never seriously challenged. After the first lap he was leading from Morgan and Everett. In the second and third laps he increased his lead and Eveiett dropped well back. Ranby rode excellently and after six laps he came in a good winner, having averaged about 66 m.p.li. Flower retired m the first lap. , ~ , The President’s Handicap provided another good contest between iui Alornan and Percy Coleman. Coleman was on scratch and Ranby and Morgan together on the five seconds’ mark. Ine finish of the first lap saw Lundius (25secs.) leading. with Morgan sixth and Coleman last. In the second lap Lundius still led but Morgan was fifth. Amid great excitement Coleman passed Ranby on the post, for sixth place. All were close. After the third lap Lundius was first, Morgan third and Coleman fourth. In the fourth lap positions were unaltered, but Roy Grant withdrew. In the fifth lap Morgan took the lead with Lundius second and Percy Coleman third. The sixth and last lap aroused great excitement and brought the onlookers to their feet. Coleman passed Lundius and chased Morgan Morgan, however, was all out lor tne prize, and amidst great enthusiasm the two riders came up the straight Morgan with fifty yards’ lead which he maintained. . ~ The last race, the Wakapuaka handicap, produced the largest field of the day, thirteen riders appearing. Coleman, riding from scratch again, had a popular win. He drew up to tenth place in the first lap, with Bradshaw leading .and Grant, Higgs, 1 lower, MeCleary, Mitchell, Morgan, Fuller, and Lundius lying in that order. Grant took the lead in the next round and Coleman moved up to eighth place. In third lap Grant gained a good lead from Higgs, MeCleary and Coleman. The fourth round saw Coleman come up with great speed and move into first place just before reaching the stand. Grant was second, Pemnall third and Higgs fourth. Coleman increased his lead in the last lap and Pemnall and Fuller moved up. They finished in that In the Richmond Park Handicap Everett won by a big distance. However, Everett was disqualified as Ins machine was too fast for B class. Collie was therefore announced winner. A light car race, in wlncli an Austin, a Triumph and a Morgan took part, was staged after the last race. Ihe Austin proved too good for the othei • A Norton, ridden by Mitchell, raced the Austin, giving it one lap in three, but the leeway was too great to make up. RESULTS Detailed results were:Novice Handicap, B Class, 5 laps. First prize £4 and B.S.A. Cup.—R. K. Everett (Blackburn) 25secs, 1; O. Livingstone (Ariel) 40secs, 2; J. (Harley-Davidson) 40secs, 3. 1 line smins. 30 2-ssecs. Ten started. Wakefield Handicap, A class, 6 laps. First prize £8 and Castrol Cup. • Ranby (Harley-Davidson) 30secs, 1; lui Morgan (Harley) ssecs, 2;_ J. Rutledge (Ariel) Msecs, 3. Time 6nnns 30 2-ssecs. r Nelson-Marlborough Cup, £I taps. First prize £lO and Cup -J. W. Mitchell (Norton) 85secs, 1; R. R. Lveiett (Indian) 85secs, 2; J. Rutledge (Ariel) 25 secs, 3. Time, 9.4 3-5. Five started. Wakatu Handicap, A Class, 6 laps. First prize £B.—R, R. Everett (Indian! 60se.es, 1; R. Penniall (Norton) 25secs 2 ■ Tui Morgan (Harley) 30secs, 2. lime 652 3-5. Eight started. Richmond Park Handicap, B Class, 6 laps. First Prize £B.-H. K. Collie Uriel) 74secs, 1; E. J. Bradshaw (8.5. A.) 85secs, 2; Roy Grant (A J.S.) /3secs, 3. Time, 7.38. Six started. Nelson Handicap, A Class, 8 laps. First prize £15.-S. Morrison Scott) 50secs, 1; Tui Morgan (Harley) Msecs, 2; Percy Coleman (Harley) scr. 3. Lime 8.34. Ten started. . , South Island Lightweight Championship, 6 laps. First prize £lO and Cup. -R. Ranby (Harley-Davidson) 1; Morgan (Harley) 2; R. R- Eveiett (Blackburn) 3. ' Time 6.10 4-5. live Ulotueka Handicap, B Class, 6 laps.

First prize £B.—J. Flower (Harley Davidson) 20secs, 1; D. Blair (New Imperial) 35, 2; Roy Grant (A.J.0.) 30secs. 3. Time 7.3. Eight started. Presidents’ Handicap, A Class, 6 laps. First prize £lo.—Tui Morgan Ilarlev) ssecs, 1; Percy Coleman (Harley) scr., 2; 0. Lundius (Harley) 2osc;s, 3. Time 6.3 2-5. Nine started. Wakapuaka Handicap, B Chiss, 5 laps. First prize £s.—Percy Coleman (Harlevl scr. 1; R. Penniall (Norton) 15secs, 2; 'R A. Fuller (Ariel) 20sccs, 3. Time 5 2-3. Thirteen started.