Cinder-Track Racing

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 878, 23 January 1930, Page 6

Cinder-Track Racing

EVENTS AT BLANDFORD PARK

Australian’s Non-Appearance

EXCELLENT cinder-track racing was seen at the Blandford Park Stadium last evening. The non-appearance of Charlie Perabo, the Australian rider, caused some disappointment to the 3,000 spectators who, however, received some compensation in the displays of the local riders.

Perabo, who has been riding in the South with success, was engaged under contract by the park stadium authorities, and his failure to ride last evening was in no way the fault of the management. Just before the programme was timed to start, inquiries were instituted to find out why the Australian had not put in an appearance at the park, and it was ascertained that he had left by the Limited for Wellington but a short time before. The management, which had had no intimation of this sudden departure, was considerably perturbed owing to having to disappoint patrons who were looking forward to seeing the Australian rider, and also on account of the programme, which had been arranged to fully test the visitor’s capabilities. However, no time was wasted in acquainting the crowd with the unlookedfor complication, and in carrying on with the programme. For the second time in three weeks Cyril Walker had a night out, getting a total of three firsts and three seconds in the heats, semi-finals, and finals of the two main events. He was successful in retaining the gold helmet in the Big Nine Championship, and also took second place in the Speedway Handicap final. The latter event was won by Len Coulthard, who gave Walker a very close run on performances, getting a total of three firsts and two seconds. He had bad luck in the final of the championship event, his engine failing when he was in a good position. Charlie Goldberg was lucky on one occasion in escaping disqualification. The rules of racing state that no rider must pass across another rider unless there is a clear length separating both men. In a semi-final of the championship, Goldberg crossed only inches ahead of Curtis —a breach that gave Curtis no chance in the race, as the latter’s engine was filled with cinders, and he could not get going. Such conduct should be dealt with severely. Except for that breach, Goldberg rode well.

Great improvement was shown by Butler, a very promising rider, who gained two firsts and two seconds. Curtis and McLaren also rode well. The most spectacular spill of the evening was seen in the third heat of the handicap event, Richards falling as Coulthard passed to take the lead. Coming up fast, Peek got into a rut in the cinders made by Richards’s machine in falling, and crashed into Bull’s machine. Both riders were thrown across the track, and Bull’s machine was damaged so badly that he could not compete further. Goldberg and Walker raced neck-and-neck for two laps in a special match event, but Walker fell on the third lap. Attempts on Walker’s onelap record of 18 2-ssec were made by Goldberg and Curtis, the former registering 18 4-ssec and Curtis 19 l-ssec. Results are as follow: SPEEDWAY HANDICAP First heat.—Cyril Walker (Douglas), Ssec, 1; A. McLaren (0.E.C.), 9sec, 2.

Won by 60 yards. Time, 1.21 l-ssec. Taylor fell and Curtis's engine failed. Second heat.—A. Lemon (Rex-Acme), ssec, 1; K. Y'eats (Royal Enfield), lOsec, 2; H. Stephenson (Norton), lOsec, 3. Won by 70 yards. Time, 1.29. Third heat.—L. Coulthard (Velocette), ssec, 1; B. Smith (A.J.5.)., 12sec. 2; J. Peek (New Imperial), Ssec, 3. Won by 20 yards. Time, 1.29 4-5. Yeats fell. Fourth heat.—P. Butler (A.J.S.), 9sec, 1; C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), 4sec. 2; B. Cuthbertson (Douglas), 9sec, 3. Won by 30 j'ards. Time, 1.28 3-5. First semi-final.—A. Lemon (RexAcme), Ssec, 1; Cyril Walker (Douglas), 3sec, 2: A. McLaren (A.E.C.), 9sec, 3. Won by 40 yards. Time, 1.29 2-5. Walker was lucky, Yeats falling entering the straight, and allowing him to gain second place. Lemon’s machine failed as he passed the post. Second semi-final. —P. Butler (A.J.S.), 9sec, 1; L. Coulthard (Velocette), ssec, 2. Won by five yards. Time. 1.29 3-5. Goldberg fell just as he had gained the lead after brilliant riding, and Smith failed to finish. Final: L. Coulthard (Velocette), ssec 1 C Walker (Douglas), 3sec . 2 A. Lemon (Harley Peashooter). ssec 3 Won by SO yards. Time, 1.23 1-5. Lemon, riding a strange machine, could

not get going. Butler fell entering the second lap, and Coulthard took the lead ' with Walker close behind. Coulthard retained his position, and went on to win by SO yards from Walker, with Lemon a long way back. BIG NINE CHAMPIONSHIP First heat.—L. Curtis (Douglas), 1: A. McLaren (0.E.C.), 2. Won by 50 yards. Time, 1.25 4-5. Lemon’s machine failed on the second lap, when he was in the lead. Second heat. —C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), 1; Cyril Walker (Douglas), 2. Won by la yards. Time, 1.18. Third heat.—L. Coulthard (Velocette), 1; P. Butler (A.J.S.), 2; J. Peek (New Imperial), 3. Won by 100 yards. Time, First semi-final.—C. Walker (Douglas), 1: L. Coulthard (Velocette), 2. Won by 20 yards. Time, 1.19 2-5. Walker and Coulthard staged a great race. McLaren retired. _ . Second semi-final. —C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), 3: P. Butler (A.J.S.). 2; L. Curtis (Douglas), 3. Won by half a lap. Time, 1.19 1-5. Goldberg earned disqualification by cutting in on Curtis, who had the inside berth at the first corner, immediately after the start. Curtis had to swerve and also had his machine filled with cinders, gradually dropping back throughout the race. Final: C. Walker (Douglas) . • * C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield) .. • • • • * Won by 10 yards. Time, 1.19 1-5. From a good start Coulthard went into the lead 20 yards ahead of the others, but his motor failed on the second lap, leaving Walker in the lead, with Goldberg close behind. There was a great race over the third and fourth laps. Walker retaining his lead to win by 10 yards.