All Records Broken

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 887, 3 February 1930, Page 7

All Records Broken

LAP-MILE-ATTEN DAN CE Speed At Western Springs RECORDS came tumbling down at AYestern Springs Stadium on Saturday evening, when Frank Pearce, world record holder on the quarter-mile cinder track, defeated all-comers in a series of thrilling contests. A record audience, too. applauded as Pearce set a now time for a mile of lmin 2-5 3-ssec. only to better this figure a few minutes later by 3-ssec. As he circled the track at high speed, riding close to the grass, at times his back wheel nearly level with his front as he swung round in a fierce broadside, a mounting wave of excitement ran along the crowded terraces, rising to a high crescendo of cheering as he crossed the line in record time.

Attendants had spent many 7 hours on the track during the week, and the cinders beaten down by* the rain and rolled thoroughly, were packed tightly. This made the corners slippery but safe, ideal for fast speed work. Spills were few during the evening, and none was of serious consequence. Indeed, the only case at Western Springs that necessitated treatment by* the St. John Ambulance workers was among the spectators.

Promptly at eight o’clock, in a light drizzle. Pearce took the track in an attempt on the mile record of Imin 27 j 3-ssec established by Wally* Kilminster, the Wellington champion. Pearce went off in a fierce burst of speed, at times almost flat in his broadsides. ; his trailing left boot knocking the j write cardboard markers from the ! edge of the grass. Before he could j complete one round, however, his engine stopped, having being affected by* rainwater. The Avorld champion gave promise of thrills to come during the fourth heat of the Open Handicap, when he went the! mile in lmin 28 4-ssec, beat- i ing the Wliangarei speedster. Ben i Bray, by 200 yards. It was in the j Invitation Race that Pearce shovved ; the pace of 4 which he was capable. Alt' • Mattson was the only other starter, both being on the scratch mark, and going off from a rolling start. The Auckland silver sash champion did his best, covering the mile in 1.29 3-5, but Pearce had shown surprising pace, and reduced the existing record to 1.25 3-5. He had broken the lap record, too. reducing the time of 21seo made by Wally Ivilminster to 20 4-5 secs. His times fo.r the four laps were 21 2-ssec, 20 4-3 sec, 22sec, and 21 2-ssee. More thrills were still in store for the spectators. Riding in the second semi-final of the same race, and again in the final, the Australian cindershifter covered the mile in 1.25. His lap times Avere 21sec, 21sec, 21 4-ssec, and 21 l-ssec. Speeds were high in this event, the Auckland champion, Mattson, who ran into second place, also beating Kilminster’s record. He AA*ent the mile in 1.26 1-5, 1 2-ssec faster than the Wellington speedster. Of the improvers, Frank Day showed an excellent turn of speed, and remarkable steadiness. His machine lacked power, but he rode with his throttle Avide open all the way. He easily* Avon the trophy, a Avatch donated by a Western Springs patron for the novice shoAving most improvement, and this Avas presented him by Air. A. Spragg, president of the Xew Zealand Autocycle Union. The judge was Mr. Jimy Datson, the Australian cindertrack racer, Avho has been training the no\ 7 ices since his accident some Aveeks ago. He had hoped to ride on Saturday night, but has not yet regained full use of his right wrist. IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP First heat. —Jack Jordan (Douglas), 4 see, 1; Bobbie Cairns (Royal Enfield), 4sec, 2; Percy Fletcher (Harley Davidson), 2sec, 3. Second and third man fell, but remounted. Time, 1.47 1-5. Second heat.—Frank Day (Royal Enfield). Ssec, 1; Bert Coyle (Royal Enfield), 2. Won by' a lap, Coyle falling and remounting. Time, 1.41 2-5. Third heat. —Alf Way* (Rex Acme). 6see, 1: Alf Coppins (Indian), 4sec, 2; Alf

Fribane (Rex Acme), 7sec. 3. Won by ?0 yards. Time, 1.49 4-5. Final. Frank Day (Royal Enfield), scr .. .. 1 Jack Jordan (Douglas), 4see .. .. .. 2 Won by 200yds. Time. 1.40 1-5. Way* took the lead by 50yds from Jordan. Day came up fast, and passed Jordan in the second round, then set out after Way, who fell as Day passed him. Jordan was going badly, and allowed Dav to win easily*. OPEN HANDICAP First heat.—Syd. Perkins (A.J.S.), Isec, 1. Qnly starter to finish. Time. 1.34. Second heat.—Jack Garrason (Norton'), 6seo. 1: Alf. Fribane (Rex Acme), llsec. 2: Percy Fletcher (Harley* Da\*idson). 14 sec. 3. Won by 50yds. Time. 1.40. Third hear.—Alf Mattson (Norton). 3 sec. 1: Alf. Way (Rex Acme), ISsec. 2. Won easily. Time. 1.34 3-5. Fourth heat.—Frank Pearce (Norton), scr.. 1; Ben Bray (Douglas), 3sec. 2: Bet t Coyle (Royal Enfield). 9sec, 3. Won by 200yds. Time. 1.2 S 4-5. First semi-final. —Garmsou. 6sec, i Perkins. Isec. 2: Fribane. 14sec, 3. Won by 100 yards. Time, 1.36 3-5. Second semi-final.—Mattson, 3sec. 1 : Way, ISsec. 2; Pray, Ssec, 3. Won bv 20 yards. Pearce was in second place 50 yards from home, but his motor failed Time, 1.31 2-5. Final. •Tack Garmson (Norton). Gsec .... 1 Syd. Perkins (A.J.S.). scr 2 Alf Mattson (Norton), Ssec .. .. •• 3 Won by 50 yards. Time. 1.35 1-5. Way led away, with Garmson close behind, and coming through fast to take the lead. Mattson ran off at the second corner, but came back in lasi place. Perkins was riding wide, and very fast, with Mattson close behind Way dropped back into last place. OA’er the last lap Majtson came up close to Perkins, but could not catch the Australian owing to a barrage of flying cinders. INVITATION RACE. First heat. —Syd. Perkins (A.J.S.), 1: Bert Coyle (Harley- Davidson), 2: Bill Herbert (Roy*al Enfield), 3. Won by half a lap. Time, 1.31 3-5. Second heat. —Ben Bray* (Douglas), 1; Frank Day (Royal Enfield), 2.. Won by 150 yards. Time, 1.33. Third heat. —Frank Pearce (Norton). 1; Alf Mattson (Norton), 2. Won by 50 yards. Time. 1.25 3-5. First semi-final. —Perkins, 1; Bray*, 2: Day*. 3. Won by 100 yards. Time. 1.2$ 1-5. Second semi-final. —Pearce. 1; Mattson. 2. Won by* 20 yards. Time, 1.25. Final. Frank Pearce (Norton) • - 1 Alf Mattson (Norton) 2 Won by 100 yards. Time, 1.25. Perkins took the lead, but Pearcepassed him before one lap had been covered. Three riders strung out at 20y*d intervals, •with Mattson last. A round later. Perkins withdrew through engine trouble. Mattson kept on pluck* - ily, but although he appeared to gain a little during the third round, he was outclassed. AUSTRALIAN MATCH RACE. Syd Perkins (A.J.S.) 1 Time, 1.26 3-5. Perkins and Pearce went off fast from a rolling start, the former taking the inside. Pearce could not get up enough pace to pass his fellow-Australlan on th* 7 outside, and kept a few feet behind in the wave of flying cinders. At the beginning of the third round Pearce fell, but Perkins kept on, to put up a time lower than the record, but greater than Pearce’s previous time.