SPEED BOAT CONTESTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 275, 10 February 1928, Page 9

SPEED BOAT CONTESTS

RACING ON WHAU RIVER An attractive programme of speedboat and outboard motor-boat racing events has been prepared by the New Zealand Power-boat Association, to be held on the Whau River on Saturday, February 18. New courses arranged by the association, said to be some of the finest tracks in the Dominion, will give the boats a long stretch of calm water, and the banks of the river form an excellent grandstand. The first event will be a speed-boat race over a course from Robertson’s Point down-river to the old wharf, and back to the starting line, twice round, making a distance of about six miles. Cash prizes are offered. Starting time, 2.30 p.m. Next a scratch race for outboard motor-boats will be held for a gold cup given by Messrs John Burns and Co., Ltd., over five laps of a course up the river, of a distance of five miles. Starting time, 3 p.m. At 3.30 a race for cruising launches, of 12 knots and over, will take place over the same course as that of the speed boats. The prizes are trophies arranged by the association. Another event for outboards, to be known as a “consistency race,” is scheduled for 4.15 p.m. Boats will contend for the Farmers’ Challenge Cup, and judging will be on the points system, awarded on the following basis: Thirty points for fastest time; 20 for second place; and 10 for third. All boats will start from scratch. In addition, 30 points extra will be allotted for “consistence'.” But one point will be deducted for every second a competitor’s time varies between his fastest and slowest time for each of the five laps. In the event of a tie on points, the boat that has most points for consistency will be declared the winner. The fifth race will be a speed bpat event, to start at 4.55, for the Auckland Provincial Challenge Cup and trophies. Event No. 6, which is timed for 5.35 p.m., will be a general handicap for outboards for trophies given by Mr. G. Hodgson. It is expected that the speed boat Kotuku will be brought from Wanganui to take part in the racing. Entries for all classes close on Tuesday. at 5 p.m., with the secretary, or with Mr. C. H. Palmer, care Messrs. Palmer and Parker, Commerce street.