What Do Cinder Track Riders Earn ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 945, 11 April 1930, Page 7

What Do Cinder Track Riders Earn ?

18-Year-Old Aucklander Made £3OO in Four Months —But Machines and Fuel Eat up Cash

Overseas Men Get Huge Sums — Pearce has Made £6,000 Since 1926 NEW ZEALAND saw several highly-paid cinder-track riders during the past season, notably Miss Fay Taylour, who drew £-150 a week appearance money during one season in England. In Australia and New Zealand she got about half that amount. Frank Pearce, who rode several times at Western Springs, has earned 506,000 since 1926. Even these figures are small compared to the amounts received by some overseas stars.

New Zealand herself pays out no small sum each season to her successful broadsider-s. Probably the highest paid of all the Dominion’s riders is the IS-year old Auckland- speedster. Alf Mattson. Auckland and Ngav Zealand champion. Mattson has re-, ceiA*ed prize money and allowances to a total of around the £3OO figure, and in addition has Avon cups and trophies. Not bad, when it is considered he AA*as only a novice a few months ago. ‘ This may appear an excellent return to some for actual racing which may not total more than two hours in all, involving about SO appearances on the track, but the onlooker is apt to forget the tremendous amount of preparation involved before a rider is ready to race. Generally speaking, the engine of every racing machine must be dismantled entirely between every meeting and must be tuned afresh, chains and handle bars adjusted and all running equipment brought up to the pitch. The more prominent riders, especially those under contract, are expected to iiaA'e a machine in reserve in case of a mishap. For this the men receiA’e a guarantee of £2 a night in prize money to go toward the expenses of machine maintenance, certain A

grade riders receiving up to £ 5 a night extra. ; Then there is the preliminary cost of the racing machine, which is in the vicinity of £l2O, and the special fuel used costs between 17s 6d and 22s 6d a gallon. Most riders here use “dope” imported from Australia, but some prefer to buy a chemical mixture, made from formula by the local chemists, which is added to ordinary benzine to give that extra “pep.” The price of racing is indeed a high one. especially if there is a spill Avhich results in medical attention being necessary. An alloAA'ance is made toward hospital expenses and there are additional payments if working time is lost, but these injuries must be receiA'ed during the actual progress of a race. A rider shoulders his own risk during practice spins. “A rider must develop his OA\'n style,” says Mattson. To be a success, a man must know just what his mount will do under eA*ery circumstance.” The track motor-cycle is much shorter than the usual machine to enable it to be turned more quickly, and to giA’e the rider better control in the loose surface of the track. Superior speed is not essential, as an expert, by keeping close to the edge of the grass, can save up to 80 yards in a single circuit. The poAA-er plant is a high speed j motor Avhich runs in about the equiva- j lent of low gear. This means that the j speed on the cinders is not more than | 55 m.p.h. even in the straights, although j the engine is turning over at a rate ;

which AA r ould giA*e close to 95 m.p.h. on a straight road or grass track. A plumber by trade, Mattson has shattered all preconceived notions, gained from the comic papers, concerning the speed of these tradesmen. Neither has he ever been known by Western Springs officials to forget his motor-cycle nor his tools. Before the cinder tracks opened in, NeAV Zealand, Mattson had done a little racing both on Muriwai beach, where he won the Shorter Cup in 1929, and at Henning's SpeedAvay, Mangere, where he was also successful. He also rode in amateur events held by the Sports Motor-Cycle Club. Before the opening of the Auckland track. Mattson and three companions were sent to Christchurch, where he was instructed in the rudiments of the broadside by Harry Mangham, a successful competitor in Australia. Mattson has also ridden at the Ivilbirnie Stadium, Wellington, where he won the Dominion championship a fortnight ago. “The shape of the Wellington track is not as good as that of Western Springs, but the surface is faster,” says Mattson. He considers that the best track, as far as 6hape is concerned. is that Monica Park, Christchurch. Mattson was very reticent when questioned as to whether he intended going overseas to compete. It A\-as as yet too early for the English season, he said, and he would make no decision until the season ended here.