Broadsiding Popular

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 893, 10 February 1930, Page 7

Broadsiding Popular

BIG CROWD ATTENDS RACING

Western Springs Programme

PACKED terraces of thrilled spectators watched spectacular cinder track racing at Western Springs Speedway on Saturday evening. An official announcement stated 12.500 people were present and the riding justified the attendance. Special interest attached to the appearance of Charlie Spinks, the Australian rider, who holds both lap and track records for New Zealand, and “Sfeyd” Perkins, whose daring riding had delighted Aucklanders in the past.

But there was a surprise in sto.re. as it was Frank Bay, the local rider, who—although only classed as an improver—carried off the largest number of wins for the evening. In addition to winning the final of the Improvers' Handicap. Bay won the final of the Big Nine Handicap, limited to Auckland riders, gaining in all six first places. He was leading in his seventh race "when he crashed. He appeared to be badly hurt, and was put in the ambulance, but a glimpse of the interior was enough for him, and he jumped out, announcing that he was all right. Spinks and Perkins secured three wins and two seconds each in their races, the former winning the Australian Match Race, and Perkins the open handicap. Batson, the other Australian, made a reappearance after being laid up with an injury, but could not reproduce his old form. The spectators received a thrill in the first semi-final of the Open Handicap. Bray went into a broadside, and Perkins collided with him, the race having to be re-run. Perkins’s machine was damaged, and he rode for the rest of the evening on Mattson’s machine. Mattson, the Auckland champion, had fallen in his heat in this race, and after falling when leading in the first heat of the Big Xine Handicap, could only get second place. He was out of the running for the rest of the programme. During the first heat of the Australian Match Race, which was run over three laps only, Spinks did a lap in 20 2-osec, 2-ssec under Pearce’s lap record established last week.. This time, however, not being made in a special attempt, was not official. In an attempt to lower the lap record later, Spinks did the circuit in 21 1-5 sec., 2-ssec outside Pearce’s time, but his machine was not running as well as it might. Results are as follow: IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP First Heat.—F. Day (Royal Enfield), sci’., 1: J. Jordan (Douglas), osec, 2; A. Way (Velocette), 4sec, 3. Won by ir» yards. Time, 1.36 3-5. Second Heat.—B. Coyle (Royal Enfield), ! tsec, 1; C. Gordon (A.J.S.), 4sec, 3. Time, 1.45. Gordon and Fribane fell, the former remounting, only to fall again. He I

got going once more to get second money. i _ Third Heat.—R. Cairns (Royal Enfield', i ssec, 1; P. Fletcher (Harley-Davidson), | Ssec, 2. Won by five yards. Time. 1.40 | 2-5. McDonald's engine failed, and he did not compete. Stewart fell, and rei mounted, but did not finish. Final. I F. Day (Royal Enfield), scr. . . 1 J. Jordan (A.J.S.), ssec .. .. 2 Won by 30 yards. Time, 1.43 2-5. Cairns was bothered with engine trouble, and could not get going. Coyle fell, but although he remounted. he could not catch up. Day rode brilliantly throughout the race, and deserved his . OPEN HANDICAP First Heat.—C. Spinks (Douglas), scr.. 1. Time, 1.29 4-5. Herbert had a 15yd lead on the final lap, but fell two corners from the post, leaving Spinks to win. Way and Gordon did not finish. Second Heat.—“Skyd” Perkins (HarleyDavidson), lseo, 1; B. Bray (Douglas). sec, 2. Won by 70 yards. Time, 1.30 2-5. Coyle’s machine failed, and Fletcher fell, leaving the other two to fight it out. Third Heat.—A. Coppins (Indian). 11 sec, 1, J. Stewart (Royal Enfield), Ssec, ! 2: J. Garmson (Norton), Ssec, 3. Won by nearly half a lap. Time. 1.4 S 4-5. Datson had engine trouble after one lap, and withdrew. Stewart and Garmson both fell, but remounted. Fourth Heat.—F. Bay (Royal Enfield), Ssec, 1; A. Fribane (Rex Acme). I2sec, 2. Won by near]'' - half a lap. Time. 1.36 4-5. Mattson, endeavouring to overtake his handicap, crashed on a corner, but remounted. Although he had no chance to overtake the leaders. Casey had engine trouble. First Semi-final.—“Skyd” Perkins (Norton), lsec, 1; C. Spinks (Douglas), scr., 2; B. Bray (Douglas). 3asec, 3. Won by two yards. Time, 1.32 2-5. This was a great contest, Perkins taking the lead off Bray, and Spinks following into second place. The placed men finished within seven yards of one another. Second Semi-final. —F. Day (Royal Enfield), Ssec, 1; A. Coppins (Indian), 11 sec, 2; A. Fribane (Rex Acme), 12sec, 3. Won by 60yds. Time, 1.42 3-5. Final. “Skyd” Perkins (Norton), lsec 1 C. Spinks (Douglas), scr 2 A. Coppins (Indian), llsee. .. 3 Won by half a lap. Time, 1.33 4-5. Spinks fell, but remounted and nearly . lap behind he rode furiously to beat Vppins for second place. Day fell, and was slightly injured. Perkins rode an excellent race. AUSTRALIAN MATCH RACE First Heat.—C. Spinks, 1; “Skyd” Per- '

kins (Norton), S. Won by 100 yard*. Time. 1.2 4-5. Pearce established a good lead, and was never troubled. Perkins did not get going properly. Second Heal.—“Skyd” Perkins (.Norton). 1. Time, 1.9. Perkins went into the lead after one lap. Datson fell on the last lap. Final. C. Spinks (Douglas) 1 “Sk\d“ Perkins (Norton) .... 2 Won by five yards. Time. 1.5 1-5. Perkins made strenuous efforts to ge r the inside berth, but Spinks kept hr out until he had a lead. Spinks kept in front to win a very even and ext itins contest. BIG NINE HANDICAP First Heat.—J. Garmson (Norton). 3se» 1; A. Mattson (Norton). SJsec. 2. Tin.1.38. Mattson was leading on the fin;;lap when he fell, bit remounted ami finished second. Coyle also fell. Second Heat.—F. Day (Royal Enfield> 6sec, 1; W. Herbert (Royal Enfield). 4, sec. 2; A. Way (Rex-Acme). 7sec. 3 Won by 30 yards. Time. 1.36 2-5. Third Heat.—B. Bray (Douglas). ■ sec. 1: J. Stewart (Royal Enfield), .sec, 2. Won by 80 yards. Time, 1-37 2-5 Final. F. Day (Royal Enfield). 6sec.. t B. Bray (Douglas), Sftser .. 2 J. Garmson (Norton), osec .. » Time, 1.36 2-5. It was an excellent race. Day went into the lead, and put about :;0 yards between him and Bray and Garmson. who were together. The last-named both fell, but remounted to get second and third money.