MISFIRE!

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 515, 19 November 1928, Page 12

MISFIRE!

NO OUTBOARD RACE The outboard challenge race which was to have taken place on the Whan Estuary on Saturday "misfired” owing to engine troubles encountered by one contestant. The large crowd of enthusiaaU which assembled on the river banks was therefore disappointed but was solaced by several speed stunts by the challenger, whose engine was running fairly well. The race was to have been contested between Miss Arawa (Mr. A. R. Townsend) and Hum Bug (Mr. L. Stericker) for a stake of £SO held by The Sun, When the race was to start at :.45 p.m. Hum Bug could not start owing to a troublesome engine. The boat had capsized on the previous day 01 a trial run and she had not been running well since the immersion. With Mr. Townsend’s ready permission Mr.» Stericker set about repairs and after some manipulation the engine was got going fairly well and both boats dashed for the starting line to enter the mile course. At the line Hum Bug broke down and Miss Arawa careered on to complete the course. After performing for the amusement of the spectators. Miss Arawa returned and towed Hum Bug to the landing. Mr. Stericker’s view of the position was that he had defaulted and that the challenger, Mr. Townsend, wao entitled to take the stake money, but this Mr. Townsend declined to do, as there had been no actual race.

Mr. Townsend stated to-day that as far as he was concerned the affiir

was over, but if there was any talk of a subsequent race he would object to the use of the course on the Whan For one thing the course was veil over a mile in length and was laid "lit on a continual bend, while on Saturday the boats would have raced against a strong tide. He would ask for a straight course over a measured mile.