Goldberg Wins Helmet

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 894, 11 February 1930, Page 7

Goldberg Wins Helmet

RACING DOGGED BY ILL-LUCK

Broadsiding at Blandford

ALTHOUGH a chapter of mishaps attended the broadsiding at Blandford Park last evening, the 3.000 spectators present were treated to an abundance of thrills and some

good racing. A feature of the evening’s entertainment was the outstanding performance of C. Goldberg in winning the two big’ events of the evening, including the. Gold Helmet.

From early in the evening there seemed to be a mild “hoodoo” on the meeting, which was in aid of the Auckland City Mission. Len Soverby, who is well known on the track, crashed and broke his log, Albie Lemon was unable to take, the track owing to injuries, Walker, the holder of the Gold Helmet, crashed his machine and was unable to defend the trophy, while throughout there was an unusual number of breakdowns. But although several events had to be abandoned, the racing was fast and exciting.

1; B. Smith (Rex Acme). 12s. 2. Time. 79 2-ss. K. Yeats dropped out shortly after the start with engine trouble, while during the second lap Stephenson crashed, his machine throwing him clear, and then

careering for some distance over the green. Goldberg passed Smith along the back straight at the last lap, and won by about 35 yards. BIG NINE CHAMPIONSHIP (Gold Helmet) First Heat.— C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), 1; B. Smith (Rex Acme), 2. Time. 7S 2-ss. AVon easily. Second Heat.—H. Stephenson (Indian), 1; Iv. Yeats (Harley-Davidson), 2. Time, SO 2-ss. AVon easily. L. Coulthard, tlic only other starter, pulled out in the third lap owing to engine trouble. Semi-final. —B. Smith (Rex Acme). 1; C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), 2. Time. S6s. Goldberg had trouble with his machine over the second lap and came in well back for second place. Final. —C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), 1; B. Smith (Rex Acme), 2. Time, 775. Goldberg went to the lead immediately followed by Smith, with Peek well back. Goldberg increased his lead and won by nearly half a lap. Peek developed engine trouble and dropped out. “DROP-OUT” COMPETITION B. Smith, scr, 1; A. Richards (Calthorpe), 2. Time, 90s.

The track was in splendid order, a considerable amount of work,*, having been done during the week in renewing and levelling the cinders. The mishaps were unavoidable and in face of such heart-breaking difficulties the meeting was a credit to both the officials and the competitors.

The first accident of the evening was the most serious. It occurred in a preliminary run to one of the Gold Helmet heats. Len Sowerby, who had just recovered from a broken collarbone as a result of a crash on the cinders, was broadsiding a bend when his foot became caught between the wheel and the frame. Mechanics and officials rushed to his assistance, but it was nearly 20 minutes before the leg was extricated from the machine, when it was found that Sowerby had suffered a broken leg. He was taken to the hospital immediately by the St. John Ambulance. Then, in the third heat of the. Gold Helmet, Cuthbertson fell and Walker, the holder of the trophy, who was riding close up, crashed over the top of him. The riders were fortunate in escaping injuries, but Walker’s machine was badly damaged and he was prevented from competing again during the evening. It was undoubtedly a night out for Goldberg, for in clinching both of the big events he gave some fine exhibitions of broad siding and won with comparative ease. Results:— JASPER’S HANDICAP First Heat.—C. Goldberg (Royal Enfield), 2s, 1: Rick Bull (Royal Enfield), 4s. 2; H. Richards (Calthorpe), 12s, 3. Time. 79 3-ss. B. Cuthbertson on his Douglas pulled out during the third lap. Second Heat.—B. Smith (Royal Enfield), 12s, 3: L. Coulthard (Velocette), 4s. 2; A. McLaren (0.E.C.), 9s, 3. Time, 92 2-ss. Smith had an easy win. J. Peek on his New Imperial experienced engine trouble after the first lap and dropped out. Third Heat.—Len Sowerby (Douglas), ss. 1: C. Walker (Douglas), scr, 2; Les Curtis (Douglas), 4s, G. Time. SO l-ss. This event provided a thrilling finish, Sowerby gaining a victory by barely one length. Fouth Heat.—K. Y'ea.ts (Harley Davidson), 9s. 1: IT. Stevenson (Indian). ss. 2. Time. 87 2-ss. A. Lemon did not start, while C. Yeats’s Rex Acme*, machine developed engine trouble after one lap, and he dropped out. Yeats won comfortably. Semi-Final. —H. Stephenson (Indian), ss, 1; IC. Yeats (Plarley-Davidson), 9s. 2. Time. 89 2-ss. Coulthard experienced engine trouble before he took the first bend and dropped out. Ye-.ats was leading Stephenson over the second lap, but he lost the lead when he skidded over. He finished well behind the winner. Final.—C. Goldberg Enfield), 2s