PERILS OF THE SPEEDWAY.

Shannon News, 11 March 1927, Page 4

PERILS OF THE SPEEDWAY.

FIFTH DEATH AT MAROUBRA. EIGHTY-FIVE MILES AN HOUR. Since the speedway at Maroubra on the outskirts of Sydney, was buu about two years ago, no fewer than five men have been killed on the track. When the first two men were killed when travelling at high speed, their ear 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 inquiry whether it was safe for cars travelling over a certain speed was made through the press. Expert opinion was called at the coronial inquires, 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 victims were killed, occurred at approximately the same point of the speedway. It is only a few weeks ago since a very popular driver, Mr. "Phil" Carlick, met his death during a race, his car suddenly swerving up the banked track and crashing over the top into a telegraph post. Sydney was horrified to learn on Sunday that the speedway had claimed yet another victim, in Mr. Fred Barlow, a garage proprietor at Glebe, who had crashed on Saturday night and subsequently died in hospital.

Mr. Barlow was a sporting ana plucky driver. He began racing at the Maroubra speedway about 18 months ago, but Saturday night was the first time that he had driven the car in which he received fatal injuries. At the time' of the crash he was driving at the terrific speed of 85 miles an hour, and just overhauled an opponent when the car left an easily-gradcc. portion on the track leading to a high bank near the straight, and to the horror of the spectators, disappeared over the top. He was subsequently picked up, still conscious, but he died next day.

Other motorists who have been killed on the speedway were Messrs L. J. Salmon and A. V. Vaughan, who were driving in the same car at the time of their crash, and Messrs S. Dutton and B. G. Garlick.

Motor racing has become an extremely popular sport in Sydney in the last two years but accidents of this nature will tend to mar its popularity. Motor-cycling, especially, claims many votaries, and meetings are held frequently in Sydney, both at Maroubra and on a dirt track at the Royal Sydney Showgrounds, while weekly meetings are also held at various country centres. Several American motor-cycle riders are making good money at the sport and several New Zealanders, including Messrs Spencer Stratton and Jack Sweeney, have also done very well.