CIRCULAR ROAD RACE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 18 August 1911, Page 3

CIRCULAR ROAD RACE

ROUND MOUNT EGMONT. WON BY J. CLARKE. Messrs. E. Whittle, W. J. Williams and J. Mclvean officiated as judges; Messrs. J. Bennett and A, Hansen as timekeepers; Mr. A. Hansen as starter; Mr. A. George assistant ; Mr. A. Hansen handicapper; and Mr. Jas. McLeod secretary. The stewards were as follows: Gall steward, Mr. Elliott; feeding steward, Mr. Davy; number, tag, bicycle and sealing stewards, Messrs. J. Clarke, E. Cattley, and D. George; check steward, E. Cattley; press steward, H. Brookes; Oka to supervisor, Mr. A. Richards; Opunake supervisor and check stewards, Messrs. D. Duncan and A. Clarke; Kaponga supervisor, Mr. C. Betts; Eltham supervisor and check stewards, Messrs. F. K. Hardy and J. 11. Thomson.

The Taranaki circular cycle road race, which seems destined to become the blue riband lace of Australasia, eventuated yesterday. The race was unique in several respects. The coarse was actually 10+ miles, not HO miles as on the roads originally suggested, and it is said to be the longest circular road race in the world. These circular road races arouse more interest than point-to-point races, owing to the race finishing in the town of starting. The prizemoney was larger than ever previously offered in the Australasian colonies, the trophies, including the Brittania Tyres' very handsome and valuable challenge cup, which was valued at 50 guineas at the makers' in England. The race was promoted by a number of energetic business men and athletic enthusiasts in New Plymouth, and was well supported by the leading cycle manufacturing and agency firms. Unfortunately the weather, which had been almost a model up till the latter end of last week, changed, and heavy rains soaked the roads and made them slippery. The sky was cloudy and drizzling rain fell during the fifty minutes occupied in starting the men from Messrs. Biirgcs*. Fraser and Co.'s corner yesterday morning, but some five or six hundred spectators were photographed there when the six limit men were ready to leave. These were loudly cheered as they bent to their work at 8.30 a.m., and then followed the releasing of the remaining fifty-nine competi-j tors. They all got a cheer to set them 1 oir. two local men (W. F. Roebuck and Bell) getting a great reception, and the sporting instincts of the crowd were aroused into vociferous cheering when th ■ four scratch men got the word "go" at 9.20. The crowd thinned perceptiWy as the town clock struck nine, but there must liavo been fully three hundred people there when the' last men left. The starter, 'Mr. A. Hansen, of Elthani. a-sisted 'by splendid committee men and stewards, got the men away to the tick of time. The crowd was regulated by Senior-Sergeant Dart and several constables, and the men were given a good clear passage to get away. It was variously estimated that the fir*t man home would do the trip by about 3.30 p.m., owing to the wet road, although prior to that the committee had expected the race to be won in six and a half hours. The times recorded, however, were much faster, and surprising in the circumstances. The progress of the race formed the principal topic of conversation in the town during the morning, and "news from the front" was eagerly awaited. By degrees the public became acquainted with the rules governing the race, which were to .the effect that all competitors would be numbered and the bicycles sealed by the officials. The competitors would receive a number of small numbers to correspond with the rider's number. These were to be attached to the handle-bars, and each rider had to tear one off and drop it at the officials' tables at Opunake, and Elthani, this checking being necessary to prevent any 'cute customer from taking a short cut. Refreshments (hot milk) was supplied to competitors at the Okato, Opunake, Kaponga, Eltham (Coronation) and Stratford hotels, and at the latter place the menu included hot beef tea. Competitors were supplied with feed-bags, containing bananas, chocolate, raisins, sandwiches and celery. The race was run under the rules of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Lnion, and among the conditions were clauses providing that no competitor should, during the continuance <jf the race, accept pace from any person other than contestants; accept refreshments from any source other than at the duly authorised refreshment stations; or accept any assistance whatever. Competitors could supply their oim refreshments, which must, however, be carried by them from the starting point. All prize-winners would be required to make a statutory declaration before being awarded itheir prizes that they had conformed to all the conditions governing the race. Footpath riding was pro" hiliited. Contestants must ride the machine they started on throughout the race.

STARTERS. A. B. L. Smith (Christchurch), .]. Coulter (Woodville), A. Birch (Christchurch), A. G. Donald (Palmerston N.) scr.; E. \\ all and P. Humm (Spreydon), llinin; Harold Henderson (Palmerston X.) and P. O'Shoa (Christchurch), I*2 niin; F. Everett (Christchurch) and J. McTeigue (ITulswell) l.jniin; H. Williams (Christchurch), 17min; Peter Hill (Addington), Ben Martin (Christchurch), If. H. Gibson (Christchurch) lSmin; W. F. Roebuck (Xexv Plymouth) and CI. H. Bell (Xew Plymouth) 22min; W. R. Bradley (Bunnythorpe). L. V. Young (Winchester), C. W. Burton (Epsom), A. C. Walker (Wellington), X. Ingram (Gisborne), 0. IT. Tomline (Christchurch) and A. H. Parker (Hornby) 25 mill; T. Coleman (Christehureh), W. A. O'Donnell (Levin) and D. W. Musgrove j (Levin) 28min; X. Wadman (Onehmigaj, Oscar Xeilson (Tariki), W. S. Kofoed (Tariki), John Brennan (Otahuhu), 11. Anderson (Oisborne), Bert. Maberlev (Auckland), P. Finchback (Oisborne). A. Double (Onehunga), SOmin; A. Oifl'aiey (Pukeroro), G. W. Prebbl'e (Christchurch) and Jas. Clarke (Palmerston X.) 32m in; S. A. Couchman (Alton), 3f> min ; S. D. Cupples (Christchurch), 3<i min; A. Campbell (Blenheim), C. E. Greenloss (Aramoho) and W. Greenless (Wanganui), 37min; G. Herring (Grey Lynn) and 0. T. Carr (MastertonJ, 38 niin; L. Thomas (Waitara), W. Thomas IWaitara), E. .T. Siieppard (Kaponga). Lewis Hunt (Manaia), N. A. Christiansen (Wanganui), R. Rentier (Xew Plymouth), Harry Gore (Hinds) and 0. 'I. Cl.aridge (Morrinsville) 40inin; W. C. Taylor (Marton) 42m in; W. li. Coulter (Palmerston North), A. Walker (Awatuna), R. Tap]) (Omata), Ben Urry (Xew Plymouth) and 11. J. Niclmlls (Auckland) 45min; Kiro (Puniho), li. H. Lawrence (Waitara), E. H, Stoddart (Waitara), W. R. Wiley (Now Plymouth), W. D. Roebuck (Xew Plymouth) and S. Davis (New Plymouth) 50min. Scratching* were:—G. Birch (Christchurch), llmin; 0. Meharry (Wanganui), 12min; W. Rumiin (Melbourne), 1 Mm in; A. Wilkinson (Gisborne), W. J. Jones (Hamilton) and B. Campion (Wangunni) 20min; P. Orillin (Bulls), 25min; J. Parrish (Awatuna), '2Smin; M. D. Julian (Xew Plymouth), 32min; E. Dickoft' (Rangiora), 35min; T. Quickenden (Rahotu), V. A. Coleman (Nelson), E. White- | h«ad (Levin), J. R. Archibald (Levin),

/ P. C. Taylor (Wanganui), 11. Rowe (New Plymouth), and Geo. K. Hancock (\Valhi, Thames), 40min; Jas. Jury (New Plymouth), H. If. Burr (Auckland), 45min, B. Sinunonds (Xew Plymouth) 45.min; ■' L. E. Smith (New Plymouth), aOmin.

( The start was interesting, as showing the varying ideas of the competitors us to the requirements of the road and the weather. One man was thickly* coated with vaseline. Another was oiled'' from top to toe. Some had india-rubber tubing leading to the bottle* in their feed-bags, and were thus able to suck 1 up their nourishment. Another spurned the calico feed-bags, and provided one, of sterner stuff; the state of the feed-/ bags at the finish showed that this man knew something. Some started with bare awns, but most knew that the ex-, perience of competitors in other long* road races in winter time was against this. Most were clothed in woollen wear throughout. One competitor had an ingenious contrivance, a line hollowtube conveying oil from an oilcan to* 1 his bicycle chain. They all moved off in excellent spirits, despite the drizzling rain.

■The first word came from Okato, the message being to the effect that the limit men had covered the first eighteen miles in 02 minutes, and the scratch men in 5!) minutes. From Opunake came a telegram that the order was, W. Roebuck. E. 11. Stoddart, Jas. Clarke, R. Renner, X. A. Christiansen, W. Thomas, W. R. Coulter, W. Greenless, W. S. Kofoed and N. Wadman. The position of Clarke occasioned some surprise. He had started on the 32 minutes mark at 8.48 a.m., and had covered the distance to Opunake, about 40 miles, in under two hours. The scratch men arrived there at 11.26 a.m., and Henderson and O'Sliea (llmin.) at 11.12, thus having increased their start by two minutes. It was made clear by this time that the race was going to be run in good time, the limit men keeping up well. The scratch men gained ten minutes on them between New Plymouth and Opunake. At Eltham the order wired at 12.43 was: Greenless, Clarke, Stoddart, Christiansen, Renner, Young, Wiley, Henderson, Coleman.

Stratford telegraphed that at 1.15 the following had gone through: Stoddart, Clarke and Carr; at 1.25, Christiansen and Wadman; at 1.41, Smith (scratch) ' and Coleman; at 2.5, Renner and Henderson; at 2.25, Wiley. The field was thinning out now, the Roebucks among others having given it best. At 2,10 p.m. Clark and Greenless passed through Inglewood. In all these towns great interest was taken, and crowds gathered to see the men race by. In the country, too, settlers watched from their gates and windows. These particulars were announced in the Sports Ground, where a seven-a-side football tournament was being played. At three o'clock Liardet street, at the { Melbourne corner, was flanked by a big crowd of people to watch the men make '■ the last turn for home, the finishing point being just outside the Recreation Grounds gate. There was a big crowd here, too, and the police were kept busy in maintaining a clear track, The men were unrecognisable in most cases until passing the post. Some had ridden without mudguards, some with improvised guards. These were splashed with nnid from top to toe. Their colors were indistinguishable on'account of the mud, and their numbers, too. Great cheering greeted J. Clarke, of Palmerston, when he arrived first, thus securing the big money and the big challenge cup. Half an hour later it was known that lie had covered the distance in the fastest time, and, having entered for the fastest time under 21 years, "scooped" the prizes. The winner was riding fairly strongly at the finish, the race being won at smin. 59 2-ssee. past three o'clock, and the winner's actual ridin" time being 61ir. 17-min. 59 2-ssec. He had secured the lead at the Stratford feeding station, and was never headed. The next man home was W. Greenless (Wanganui), who arrived 3min. 49sec. later. He finished faster than Clarke. A wait of ten minutes, and then little Stoddart, of Waitara, wobbled up the rise, followed about four minutes later by W. Wadman, finishing strongly. Christiansen rode in next with his front tyre flat; I he had done eight miles on the rim. Henderson filled the sixth place. L. V. ! Young was seventh, after having very bad luck with accidents to his machine. Then came young Wylie, eighth, and Kofoed next, but a telegram had preceded him to the effect that he had done some footpath riding at Kaponga. Smith, the scratch man, received quito an ovation when he pedalled up the rise. Hia absence front the front-rankers had excited remark, but now it was discovered that he had broken a pedal near Inglewood, and lost a good deal of time before he could get going again. He was followed by another back-marker, Coulter. Then came Renner, Bell, McTeigue, Brennan, Coleman, Sheppard, Gillney, and "others too numerous to mention."

THE RESULTS. The results, with times of arrival, and prize-list, were as follow: — First prize, the Britannia Tyre Challenge Cup (for annual competition), valued at 50 guineas, also £SO cash and gold medal value £5: Jas. Clarke (Palmerston North), 32min„ finished at 3hr. smin. 59 2-ssec.

Second prize, £2O cash and 11)11 model road racer, value £ls 15s: C. E. Greenless (Aramoho), 37min.; finished at 3hr. !)min. 58 2-ssec.

Third prize, £lO cash and 1911 model road racer, value £ls 1.55: E. 11. Stoddart (Waitara); 50inin; finished at 3hr. lOmin. 58 4-ssec.

Fourth prize, £5 cash and 1911 model road racer, value £ls 15s: N. Wadman (Onehimga), 30min.; finished at 3hr. 23min. 3see.

Fifth prize, £5 cash and set of Ideal tyres, value £2 10s: X. A. Christiansen (Wanganui), 40min,; finished at 3hr. 25min. 21 ]-ssec.

Sixth prize, £3 3s cash and set of Meal roadster tyres, value £2 10s: Harold Henderson (Palmer&ton North), 12 min.; finished at 3hr. 28rain. 38 3-ssec. Seventh prize, £2 2s cash and set of Meal road racing tyres, value £2 10s: L. V. Young (Winchester), 25min.; finished at 3hr. 2!)mvn. Osec. Eighth -prize, £% 2s cash and set of Ideal path racing tyres, value £2 2s: W. R; Wiley (Waitara), uOinin.; 3hr. 34min. 50 2-osec.

- Ninth prize. £2 2s cash.—W. S. ICofoed (Tariki), 30min.; finished at 3hr. 38min. 17sec. (Subject to hearing of complaint lodged). Tenth prize. £1 Is cash: A. B. L. Smith (Ohrislchurch). scratch; finished at Slir. 43min. 7 2-sfieo.

In the event of ninth money not fining to Kofcicd. Coulter, who arrived at 3hr. 44min. Sfl 4-ssee., will take tenth prize.

Kenner (New Plymouth), 40m in.. arrived at 3hr. 54min.' 17 1-Ssec; Bell (New Plymouth), 22min., at 4hr. linin. ssoc; MeTeigue (Ralswell), ISinin., at 4hr. Omin. 14 l-ssec.; Brennar (Otahuliu), 30min., 4hr. llmin. ssec.; T. Coleman (Christcburcli), 28inin., 4hr. llmin. 5 1-5 see.; E. J, Sheppard (Kaponga), 40min., 4hr. 12min. 7 2-ssec.

Fastest time, £2O cash (including £ls 15s donated by.Britannia Tyre Co.) and gold medal,.value £5 ss, donated by Mr. ,J. Bennett, New. Plymouth: J. Clarke Palinerston North. ' Second fastest time, £5 cash and £3! ss, donated by Mr. E. Drake: A. Henderson.

Rider under ,21 years of age making fastest time: Imperial Swift road racerj

valuo £ls 15s, donated by Adams, Ltd., • Chrislchurch: J. Clarke. Rider making fastest time on Coni tinental tyres; set of Thornproof tyres, ■ value i';> 3s, donated by Continental C. . and G. Rubber Co. Proprietary, Ltd.: J. j Clarke. ACTUAL RIDING TIME. J. Clarke, Ghr. 17min: 5!) 2-ssec. ; W. Greenless, Ghr. 2(imin. 48 2-ssec. .-3. E. H. Stoddart, Ghr. 4!)min. 58 4-ssec. 1 N. Wadmaji, Ghr. 33min. 3sec. ,S5. Y. A.Christiansen, Ghr. 45min. 21 1-5. <**b. Harold Henderson, 6hr. 20min. 35 2-5. 7. L. V. Young, Ghr. 20rnin. 38 2-ssec. W. R. Wiley, 7hr. 4min. 52 2-ssec. W. S. Kofoed, Ghr. 4Bmin, Usee. A. B. Smith, Ghr. 23min. 7 2-osee. J. Coulter, Ghr. 24min. 3li 4-ssec, J.'2. R. Renner, 7hr. Wmin. 17 l-ssec. ,J3. G. ff. Bell, 7hr. 3min 0 l-ssec. J. McTeigue, 7hr. 4min. 14 l-.wec. John Brennan, 7hr. 21min. ssec. r IG. T. Coleman, 7hr. l!)min. 5 l-ssee. ' 17. E. J. Sheppard, 7hr.. 32min. 7 2-ssec. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The presentation of prizes took place in the Theatre Royal in the evening. The report will be found on page 8.