MOTOR-CYCLE RACES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 856, 27 December 1929, Page 11

MOTOR-CYCLE RACES

SUCCESSFUL MEETING AT OPOTIKI DISQUALIFICATIONS UPHELD From Our Own Correspondent OPOTIKI. Today. Fin© weather favoured the annual motor-cycle races held under the auspices of the Opotiki Motor-Cycle Racing Club yesterday. Despite the fact that two dirt track meetings were held in Auckland there were good fields. The track proved in good order, record speeds being attained. A large crowd attended the races, which fortunately went off without any competitors being injured. Bigwood, a Whakatane novice, made a very successful showing, winning the big event of the day. His fastest lap was done in 53 seconds. Prior to the commencement of the racing, a. meeting of officials and riders considered the disqualification. of riders who rod© at the Blandford Park dirt track and resolved to uphold the disqualification. Disqualified riders were told they could not compete. This caused a good deal of disappointment, as the disqualification did not meet with public favour.

Tui Morgan and Roberts were the outstanding riders at the meeting. Results:

Novice Handicap. five miles.—D. 1L Bigwood (3i h.p. Norton), 20sec, 1; H. Mercer (23 Rex Acme), 30sec, 2; I*. Fletcher (23 Harley-Davidson), 20sec, 3. Time, 5.20.

Tradesmen’s Handicap, six miles.—S, Roberts (22 Rex Acme), 35sec, 1; D. H. Bigwood (3i Norton), 42 sec, 2; L. Sutherland (23 Harley-Davidson), ISsec, 3. Time, 5.52.

Borough Handicap, six miles.—A. Barker Zenith), 2osee, 1; H. Mercer (23 Rex Acme), 40sec f 2; Tui Morgan (23 Harley-Davidson), scr., 3. Time,

Jack Arnott Memorial Handicap, 10 miles. —D. H. Bigwood (3£ Norton), 50 sec, 1; Tui Morgan (2* Harley-Davidson), scr, 2; S. Roberts (23 Rex Acme), 15sec, 3. Time, ,9.44. Bay of Plenty Handicap, six miles. — P. Fletcher (23 Harley-Davidson). lOsec, 1; S. Gordon (2| A.J.S.), SOsec, 2; A. Harker (23 Zenith), scr, 3. Mercer and Ilarker touched handle-bars going out of the straight, both crashing. Neither was hurt, but Mercer’s machine was damaged. Harker remounted to secure third position. Time, 6.25. New Zealand Light-weight Championship, for machines under 350 c.c., 8 miles.—Tui Morgan, Wellington (2J Harle v-Davidson), 1; S. Roberts, Opotiki (23 Rex Acme), 2; A. Harker, Hastings (23 Zenith), 3. Morgan took the lead from the first and was never headed. Roberts made a big effort to catch up in the last few laps. In the seventh lap Roberts made the fastest time of the day, lapping in 50 l-ssec. He was riding Mercer’s damaged machine, which had twisted forks. The finish was TfJrly close, although Morgan was apparently riding with speed in reserve. Time, ‘ Bay of Plenty Light Car Championship. five miles.—A Head. Whakatane Morris Minor), 1; L. Horne, Opotiki (Mean., Handicap, six miles.—H. W. Toney n ;iI AW P 2«see, 1; (2 : j Rex Acme), scr, 2, A. Harxer t-s Zenith), ssec, 3. Time, 5.54. Waioeka Handicap, .^ IX miles. ivTnrmn <23 Harley-Davidson), scr. 1. A. Harker (23 Zenith). 10se« V 2; S Gordon six T mT%U|: HarwSH. B. **tcher <** fegfcagsg** EVENTS AT WESTERN SPRINGS TOMORROW’S HANDICAPS Rain last evening prevented the special cinder track race programme which had been arranged staged at the Western Springs Stadium. Should the weather prove suitable, the events fixed ior thm meeting will be run off tomorrow night. School children will be admitted free as a special Christmas treat. An attempt on the track record may be among the events on Satuiday. The two Australians, Lcs Lawrence and Billv Sticpewich, will again be in action competing against the ■wellknown trio of Auckland speedsters Bill Allen, Alf Mattson and Bill Herbert. Other competitors will include Ben Brav, Sell Casey. Tim Bell, H. Bingiev and Alf Copping. An exhibition of motor-paced cycling will be given on the concrete track outside the cinder circuit. Handicaps have been declared afollow: IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP First heat: Frank Day (Royal Enfield), Bsec* Tim Bell (Royal Enfield), 9sec, Cyrii Gordon (A.J.S.), Jack Jardon (E Second ) ’ Sell Casey (Royal Bob^keeling Coppins (Indian), llsec. OPEN HANDICAP First heat; Billy Sticpewich (A.J.S.), scr- Beii Bray (Douglas), osec; Ross, ssec; Frank Day (Royal Enfield), .sec. Second heat: Les Lawrence (HarleyDavidson) scr; Bill Allen (Norton). 3sec; Kell Casey. Ssec; Tim Bell (Royal ’ heat: Bill Herbert (Royal Enfield), Alf Mattson (Norton). Ssec; Lob Keeling. Ssec; Alf Coppins, UfocFourth heat: .tack Garmson (Norton), 7see; H. Bingley, .Jack Jar.lon, Jack Stewart (Royal Enfield), llsec. FLYING HANDICAP

First heat: Les Lawrence, scr: Bill Allen, Beri Bray, Ssec; Jack Garmson, "’’’second heat: Billy Sticpewich, scr. Bill Herbert, Alf Mattson, Ssec; Sell Casey, 7sec.