Motor-Cycle Races At Takapuna

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 290, 28 February 1928, Page 7

Motor-Cycle Races At Takapuna

The Riders for Mam Events Discussed BIG MEETING NEXT SATURDAY Some fast racing will be seen at Takapuna on March 3. All the leading riders will be seen in action, and, as the races are classified, fair chances and exciting finishes should be the rule of the day. Races are scheduled for 350 c.c. machines, 600 c.c. machines, and for classes of riders who have lapped within certain times. Racing within these different groups will be keen. THE 10 MILES OPEN Perhaps the greatest Interest, however, will centre round the open championship, of 10 miles, for which extremely good entries have been received. The field that will face the starter in this race will be representative of all the riders in the meeting, and “Headlight” recently took the trouble to inquire the handicaps imposed and particulars of the entrants. The field is as follows: Coleman, Harley Davidson . . . . scr sec Arnott, Bitza ] 0 Curtis, Bitza 20 McCready, Bitza 20 Bray, Douglas 30 Arnott, O.E.C 30 Herbert, Indian 40 Ranby, Indian 40 Managh, Norton 40 Shakespear, Dagit . . . 50 Coppins, Big X 50 Mclver, Indian GO Goodwin, O.E.C 60 Walker, Rex Acme 60 Crosbie, Norton 60 Blomfield, Harley Davidson .. . . 60 Stephenson, Indian 60 Colthard, Velocette 60 Harker, Zenith 60 White, Rex Acme GO Spence, A.J.S 60 Goldberg, A.J.S 60 THE RIDERS It is needless to say anything about the riding of Percy Coleman, of Wanganui, for he is the premier motorcycle rider in New Zealand at the present time. He is quite recovered from the strained arm at the Epsom meeting. Arnott will be remembered as the man who rode so brilliantly at Epsom at the last meeting. He is coming from Hawke’s Bay, and if his recent performances are any indication, can be trusted to make a name for himself. Curtis is from Hamilton, and is one of the most promising men in New Zealand heavy-weight races. He is riding a Bitza purchased from Arnott. McCready, from New Plymouth, is, next .to Coleman, probably the best heavy-weight rider in New Zealand. This is his first appearance this season.

Bray, from Whangarei, will be riding a new Douglas. Herbert, from Otahuhu, has recently won quite a number of races in New Plymouth, Palmerston, and Greytown. His record at the Epsom meeting is as follows: —1,000 c.c., second; class A, third: invitation, second; open, second —a creditable list. He also put up the fastest time for the day—a lap in 41sec.

Ranby, from Te Aroha, has been winning consistently at races throughout the South. He rode second in class A at Epsom.

Managh is from Halcombe, near Palmerston North, and has won the New Zealand middle-weight class. Shakespear is riding a machine he calls the “Lagit.” Coppins is the sole rider of a Big X, but he won the 1,000 c.c. event at Epsom with it. Mclver is a new rider from Pukekohe, and as he is riding an Indian with a Daytona engine, should do well.

Goodwin is a well-known rider, but he recently crashed at a meeting at Ashhurst, and injured his head. This will not prevent him from appearing. He won the Class C event at Epsom. Walker has been riding in Auckland for a long time now. He has recently fitted a new T.T. engine to his Rex Acme, and with it put up the wonderful time of 9 3-ssec at the hill climb last Saturday. Crosbie, a Devonport rider, will be seen on his speeding Norton. He was second in the 600 c.c. event at Epsom. Blomfield is a very promising Auckland rider. He was first in the final of the 350 c.c. event at Epsom. Stephenson is a rider from Whangarei who is being coached by B. Bray. He won a first and a third at the last meeting. Colthard. who was placed in three races at the Epsom meeting—the 350 c.c., 175 c.c., and Class C —has purchased a new Velocette and will be out on it at Takapuna. Harker is Coleman’s partner as the Wanganui representative at the meeting. He is reputed to have a very fast machine. Spence is a pupil of C. Goodwin, and although this is his first year out, has won several races. Goldberg is a promising Auckland rider who rode second in the Final Handicap at Epsom. The prizes for this race are £l2, £3, £2 and £l. THE CHALLENGE EVENT The special challenge race between Coleman, Arnott and the three other fastest riders will be one of the finest motor-cycle racing attractions ever seen in Auckland, or, in fact, in New Zealand. The tussle between Coleman and Arnott will be a fight to a finish, but the fact that there will be only five riders and, with a clear field, may favour one of the other riders unexpectedly. At the moment it appears difficult to know who will be the three riders to qualify for the event, as Curtis. Bray, McCready, Managh, Herbert and Ranby are all in the running. X’or can Goodwin and Walker be forgotten. The race is sure to be an exciting one. Nothing contributes more toward blowouts and short tyre life than scraping the tyres along tlie kerb when parking at the footpath. There is only a thin coat of rubber over the fabric walls of tyres, and when that is removed heat, dust and v.% er can rot fabric in a few weeks —and bang go several pounds.

A FINE MOTOR-CYCLE TWO-PORT If FRANCIS-BARNETT The motor-cycle of a few years ago, with its greasiness and noise, its expense and lack of dependability, is now no more than a bad dream. In its place is the smart, clean, inexpensive and thoroughly dependable machine, the product of research and engineering ability. These thoughts crowded in on “Headlight” the other day, when he looked over the 12 h.p. Super Sports twoport Francis-Barnett, a particularly fine little job, and one right in the forefront of the latest motor-cycle mechanical practice. Every motor-cyclist knows the Francis-Barnett features of direct engine lubrication from a separate oil tank, and the distinctive frame design. In addition, the latest models have brakes front and rear, both of them of the internal-expan ding type. The head has been entirely redesigned, and is now fitted with what is known as the link action fork, with large central spring. Provision is also made of an aluminium flywheel magneto cover, with detachable lid held in place by a spring clip. The gear-box has been completely redesigned, and made heavier throughout, the hubs of the wheels have been strengthened, and exceptionally long brake torques fitted. Altogether this model Francis-Bar-nett is a first class little machine, and one which, because of its cheapness, dependability and low cost of running, should prove very popular. TYRE FACTORY IN ENGLAND STAFF FROM AMERICA A contingent of 44 Goodyear flying squadron members left New Y'ork~ for London on December 27, to go to the company’s new plant at Wolverhampton, England. A Goodyear flying squadron member is an expert who is capable of doing the work in any branch of tyre manufacture. He is, so to speak, a “freelance” who may be told off each day to work in any one of the numerous departments in the tyre plant. A flying squadron member is usually a university graduate and always graduates at the Goodyear Industrial University. Mr. C. C. Slusser, a vicepresident and factory manager of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company. Ltd., started as a flying squadron member. This contingent of Goodyear experts are meanwhile to take charge of the production of Goodyear tyres and tubes in the new English factory, until such time as British workmen have become efficient enough to assume control. This new factory at. Wolverhampton will provide work for a thousand British workmen. The factory has been completed, and manufacturing operations have already started. The plant has a production capacity of 2,000 tyres and 2,000 tubes a day. With regard to the sale of the latest “baby” cars, it is reported that the very up-to-date salesman gives the buyer the option of taking it away, or having it sent by parcu post.