NEW CINDER SPEEDWAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 849, 18 December 1929, Page 13

NEW CINDER SPEEDWAY

OPENING TONIGHT BLANDFORD PARK TRACK Should the weather prove favourable the cinder track at Blandford Park will be opened officially this evening, when a number of Auckland riders will be seen in 18 thrilling speed contests. Several of these competitors have had experience on other tracks in the Dominion, and A. McLaren, Len Coultliurd and Chas. Goldberg have proved their skill by winning events. Tho track at Blandford Park is the only one of its kind in tlia Dominion, being banked considerably on the corners. It is smaller than most, the outside of the coum measuring only 440 vards, and with ’only a thin layer of cinders, fast times are expected. Already riders have completed the circuit in 23 seconds. Seating for 1,000 has been provided in the grandstand, and there is accommodation for a further 11,000 on the terraces. Spectators are very close to the track, being separated only by the three.foot safety fence and bylarge gauge wire-netting. Before the meeting and during intervals they will be entertained by a jazz band playing on the centre of the lawn inside the track. The lighting is a feature of Blandford Park, where illumination is said to be almost equal to daylight. The first event tonight will be at 8 o’clock but gates will open an hour earlier. Grandstand seats will be available Xor first-comers.