BEACH MOTOR-RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 378, 12 June 1928, Page 6

BEACH MOTOR-RACING

FINANCIAL SIDE OF ORETI Racing at Oreti Beach was dealt with in the report presented to the annual meeting of the Southland Motor Association. At the 1927 meeting, under the auspices of the Southland Motor Sports Association, it was stated, no charge was made for admission. A collection taken up on the beach amounted to £3O, which, with donations £l9, entry fees, etc., constituted the total revenue. The-amount of prize- : money distributed was £22 6s 6d, incidental expenses came to £25, and the credit balance was £lO. In March, 1925, races were held under the auspices of the Southland Motor Association. when £ 367 was given in prizemoney. There was a profit of £ 6 on the meeting. The attendance was variously estimated at from S,OOO to 12,000. The receipts from sales of tickets showed that 4,820 paid for admission. The beach being open, there was considerable difficulty in collecting “gate” money. Reviewing future prospects, it was stated that' if races were held, with a prize-list, say, of £75, working expenses would be approximately £75, making an expense of £l5O. To meet this an attendance of 3,000 at Is a head would be necessary. Where such lesser amount of prize-money was offered there was little likelihood of outside competitors taking part. Moreover, attendances would depend greatly upon the weather, beaches offering little in the way of shelter. The association, by the way, has interested itself greatly in the provision of a suitable road to Oreti Beach, subsidies being given toward completing the formation on to the beach and planking the Ferry Bridge over the Oreti River. This expenditure* it was stated in the report, has been amply justified, the run to the beach being one of the most popular short outings for private owners.