MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1918, Page 3

MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS.

SUCCESSFUL DAY AT HAWERA.- \ ' ' The first motor-cycle mooting held in South Taranaki eventuated yesterday on tlio Hawera racecourse, ni)(li!i' the auspices of tin; South Taranaki Automobile Association, the proceeds being in aid ■>f the His Tush '"'id that is being raised by the Hawera Koturncd Soldiers' Association. The object of the gathering, as .el! as its novelty here, appealed to the public, and there was an attendance estimated at 3000. The gathering proved very successful from every point of view, keen, clean sport being provided, and from the expressions heard on every side it is safe to say that a similar gathering held in any part of Taranaki will attract a large crowd. The presence of riders such as Coleman and Maugham proved, a great attraction, and the public were thoroughly convinced that the men were as good as their reputation, for they and other riders let themselves Tight out, and made the afternoon's sport an exhilarating one, their speed being an eyeopener to many, and causing numerous thrills. The course and its appointments, which had been placed at the committee's disposal, were in line order, as the fast times show. Coleman did the twelve laps (12 miles 10S yards) in 12 minutes, and was timed to do a lap (1 mile 9 yards) in 57 sees, while it is considered that in the final lap of the day Maugham must have exceeded that pace. Mr. A. Morse (starter) despatched his fields as though he had be ii starting benzine steeds all his life Mr. A. W. Budge (judge) got through his work well, though the last race caused him some thinking. The handieapper, Mr. A. R. Collins, also did well, seeing that many of the competitors were unknown quantities, though in some cases the scratch men were set heavy tasks. Mr. L. 0. Hooker had charge of the result board, and promptly posted the laps and the results. The lap takers had some difficulty in seeing tiie numbers of the riders, but this will probably bo obviated at a future meeting. Mr. V. B. Stratton (secretary) deserves special praise for the completeness of the arrangements. The afternoon was a perfect one, and there was a very large number of ladies among the spectators, the grandstand presenting a pretty sight during the racing. Excellent music, provided by Higham's orchestra, added to the enjoyment. Afternoon tea was dispensed by members of the Women's National Reserve in .the Tea Kiosk, and the fund should benefit considerably as a result. It is expected that the gathering will net in about £3OO, a highly gratifying result. <rJt may be mentioned that the ambulance was present in case its services might be required, but, fortunately, there was no call for its use, the only'mishap being that Schwieters came 'to grief when rounding a difficult bend leading out from the straight. The results were as follows:

NOVICE RACE, 5 laps (the lap was 1 mile and 0 yards); first prize, goods value £5 ss, donated by Para Rubber Co., and silver medal donated by J. Brunette; 2nd, fiOO cigarettes, donated by litirgess, Fraser and Co.; 3rd, motor horn, donated by Adams, Ltd.; fastest time, Swanndri motor suit, dames and Oilman. —P. Smith (Patea), 3i Triumph, 45sec, 1; W. Claringbold (Hawera), 7 HarleyDavidson, ser., 2; W. Davy (Hawera). 2J Douglas, Tosec, 3. Also started: G. H! Cross and V. Rchweiters, 7 Barley-David-son, scr.; L. Wann, 7 Indian, ser.'; P. McDonnell, 5 Royal Ruby, 30scc.; C. L. Palmer, 3} Triumph, 45 sec; 11. E. Jacka, 2| Royal Ruby, 75sec. The limit moll had nearly completed a lap before the scratch men got away. Davy was quickest _to more, and maintained Lis lead until, tlio close of the third lap, when Smith overhauled him. came with a rush at the finish, but could not get to within ten lengths of Smith. Davy was a similar distance further back third. Time, flmin 24sec. Claringbold secured fastest time.

OPEN HANDICAP, 7 laps; first £5, second £1 10s, third 10s.—E. C. Gaisford (Bulls), 0i Norton, 145 sec, 1; F. Smith (Patea), 3A Triumph, 145scc, 2; L. Mangliam (Otaki), 7 Harley-Davidson, lOsec, 3 ; Also started: P. Coleman (Palmerston North), 7 Indian, scr.; J. Dawber (Palmerston North) 31 Indian, 35sec.; J. Sweeney (Palmerston North), 7 Indian, 70sec. The two limit men got away promptly. Gaisford quickly assumed the lead, and they hud traversed two laps before Coleman, who was slow to get mounted, made a move. The scratch men quicklv gave a taste of their quality, and gained a lap on the leaders, but the handicap was too Coleman retired at the end of the fifth lap. Gaisfcrd and Smith were never headed, the former winning by tile length of the straight, Mangham, who had made up a lot of ground, being third. Time, Ouiin 27see.

SIDE-CAR RACE, 5 laps; first, gold medal, donated by Mrs. Morris; second, silver cup, donated by R. Sargent and tyre-saver donated by the Criterion Garage, ftew Plymouth; 3rd, goods, 10s 6d, donated by A. H. Hodge.-F. Busing Hawera), Indian, 20sec, 1; O. R. Canty Hawera), Indian', 20sec, 2; L. Mangham (Utakij, Harley Davidson, scr 3 The only starters. The two limit men kept together throughout, Busing holding the lead and winning by 50 yards. Mangham was a lap behind. Time, 9min 45sec

21-H.P. LIGHTWEIGHT RACE, 5 laps, all scratch; first, silver cup, Messrs Bennett and Sutton, and 500 cigarettes, Johnston and Co.; second, trophy, Blair and Sellars; third, motor-cycle tubes. y- D. Bennett and Co.; fastest time, 500 cigarettes, Levin and Co.—W. Davy (Hawera) Douglas, 1; H. E. Jaeka (Havera), Royal Ruby, 2;. J. A. Duffill rHawera), Douglas, 3. Also started: Rev. vera), Douglas, 3. Also started: Rev. Grant-Cowern, Douglas. From a good start Rev. Grant-Cowern was the first to get moving. Davy and Jaeka soon forged to the lead, and the race evolved itself into a contest between that pair for first place and the other pair for third place. At the end of the third round the leaders Had lapped their competitors, and Davy stalling off a challenge by Jaeka,, won by •>0 yards. Considerable interest was attached to the contest between Rev Grant-Cowern and Duffill. The former held third place with Duffill close handy until going rouml t!le bad . for t]le time, when Duffill lav down to it and torged m front, entering the straight five length* to the good. Rev. GrantGoworn made a great effort to regain his posibon, but failed, and passed the post three lengths in the rear. Both competitors got a hearty round of applause. Time, 7min 17 2-ssec.

TARANAKI OPEN HANDICAP, 12 laps; first £B, second £3, third £l. fastest time £3.-P. Culeman (Palmerston inli- "' Indian ' scr ' 1; Tj - M »ngham (Otaki), 7 Harley Davidson, scr 2- J Dawber (Palmerston North), 3* Indian' 50sec, 3. Also started: J. Sweeney, 7 Indian, OOOsecs; ,E. C. Gaisford (Bulls) „? Norton, 250scc., and P. Smith (Patca), JJ Triumph, 250 sees. Gaisford shot to the fro«A£pn Smith, the pair iavini?

over two laps lead before Dawber got moving, whilst they had completed three laps before Maugham and Coleman were despatched. Coleman at once hopped off, and set out to overhaul the leaders. He overhauled Dawber at the seventh lap, and passed Gaisford at the tenth lap, haying put up some great times, and being timed to do 58secs and 57secs for two of the laps, his riding evoking great applause. The position here was Coleman, Gaisford, Dawber and Mangham. The former, going on, won liy nearly half a lap from Mangham, who had run into second place entering tyie last lap. Dawber was third, some distance back. The winner's time was 12min. 7-0 H.P, HEAVYWEIGHT EACE, 10 laps; first, pair nobby tread tyres, Magnus, Sanderson and Co., and silver medal, •1. Brunette; second, motor-cycle lamp, A. P. Cole; third, silver medal, J. Brunette. Fastest time, motor-cycle lamp, Mr. Thorp. All oil' scratch.—W. Claringbold (Hawera) 7 Harlcy Davidson, 1; h. Wann, 7 Indian, 2; V. Sehweiter, 7 Harlcy Davidson, 3. Also' started: G. H. Cross, 7 Barley Davidson. Sehweiter took the lead, followed by I Claringbold, Wann and Cross. This was the order to the close of the third lap, when Sehweiter came to grief leaving the straight, allowing Claringbold to assume command, which he easily held, winning by threecpjarters of a length from Wann."Schweiter, who had remounted, was a lap further back. Cross did not finish. Time llmin 2Ssec. '

FAREWELL OPEN HANDICAP, 10 laps; first £7, second £2, third £l. E. C. Gaisford (Bulls), 3£ Norton, 150 sees., 1; u Mangham (Otaki), 7 Harley Davidson, 20sec. 2; J. Dawber (Palmerston North), 3J Indian, 55see., 3. Also started: J. Sweeney (Palmerston North) 7 Indian, 100 sees.; L. Wann, 7 Indian, lOOsees. and P. Smith (Patea), 3A Triumph, 160 sees. The limit men had completed two rounds before the scratch men got started. Smith maintained his lead until the close of Hie fourth where Gaisford went to the front. The order here was Gaisford, Smith, Wann, Mangham and Coleman, the two scratch men making lip a'lot of ground. There was little change until the seventh lap, when Smith dropped back into fourth place, while Mangham had improved his position, and Coleman, going strong, had reduced the lead to one lap. Here Cole man's seat gave trouble, and he plowed down. Mangham gradually worked into I second place, and entered the last lap about 200 yards behind Gaisford, whom he set out to overhaul. Gaisford had about 30 yards lead when they were headed for home, and Mangham, coming with a byrst, went like a shot from a <run over the last few yards, and, amidst intense excitement, passed the post so close to the leader that the public could not tell which had won. The judge's verdict went to Gaisford by half a wheel, Wann being third some distance back. Winner's time, 12min lCscc. Fastest time (Mangham), llmin Osec.