MOTOR CYCLE RACES.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1919, Page 7

MOTOR CYCLE RACES.

GREAT GATHERING AT HAWERA. That motor-cycle racing as a «port has caught hold in Taranakl was evidenced yesterday by the great crowd that attended the Egmont Motor Cycle Club race meeting, which was held on the Hawera racecourse, "under the joint control of the Egmont Motor Cycle Club and the Hawera Returned Soldiers' Association. Attracted, no doubt, by the fine weather, and pleasant recollections of last year's gathering, a crowd estimated at 5000 assembled yesterday and followed with keen Interest the thrilling contest* that were provided, and It is safe to say that as a result the sport gained further popularity. Fields were good throughout, and there was no doubt that each rider was out to see that his machine did its best. A fine afternoon's keen sport was provided, a feature being the punctuality with which the events were got off, the first event being started on. the tick of one o'clock, and the eighth at 4.40 p.m., only ten minutes after schedule time, and this despite the fact that some re-handicapping had to he done. This Is a tribute to the management, which was good right through. Indeed, Mr. Mangham, who has competed right through New Zealand, stated that it was easily the best conducted meeting in the North Island, and that he had never before seen such a crowd at a motor-cycle race meeting. Though some of the competitors exceeded a mile a minute, there was no accident to mar the afternoon's enjoyment, Mr. A. Morse having given his best at, tentlon to the course, which, with all the Egmont Baclng Club's appointments, had been generously placed at the club's disposal for the afternoon. The competitors included a number of the best local men, as well as visitors from all parts, among them being the redoubtable Mangham, (who was called on to concede big starts) and Sweeney. P. Coleman had intended making the trip, but an alteration In the steamer timetable necessitated his cancelling the Hawera visit. Though the big events were both won by a limit man—R. .T. .Tones, of Palmerston North—local riders had a good Innings, Davy scoring twice, and Busing, Claringbold and Sykes each once. Mr. A. Bailey, as starter, got his men Well away, and the lap stewards—Messr3. R, Morrissey, E. H Harrop, .1. Wilkle, J. Goodwin and A. Scoon—hoisted the laps promptly on the board provided, thus enabling the public to follow the progress ot the race with ease. Messrs. W. O'Cailaghan, M. I. Lynskey and A. F. Cole, as judges, hoisted their decisions promptly. Messrs. G, W. Taylor, D. J. Goodwin and H. Brunette were the timekeepers. Other stewards were: Track, Messrs. A. Kean and .1. Blair; call, G. Easton, A. M. Conroy, J. Kellv, C Qomer and G. Larkin; result, W. J. Mahoney; benzine and oil, F. W. Pettlt. Mr. Gus Torstenson was handicapper. Mr. W. V. Patterson, as secretary, had made complete arrangements, and his department worked very smoothly. He was ably assisted by Mr. M. C. Crlghton. Mr. .1. Gray, as president, capably filled the position. During the afternoon the Hawera Citizens' Band rendered an enjoyable programme of music. Afternoon tea was dispensed by the members of the Women's National Reserve, who had a busy time, taking the sum of £9O, and as everything was donated, the Returned Soldiers' Fund will benefit to that extent. The takings at the gate were in the vicinity of £2BO. It is the intention of the club to make this an annual fixture on Anniversary Day. Results:

NOVICE HANDICAP, 5 laps, any machine. First, two motor-cycle tyres, value £6 6s and silver medal; second, motor-cycle tyre; third, goods value £1 Is. F J. Busing (5-G-h.p. Boyal Buby), lSsec. 1 F. Sykes (2%-hp Royal Ruby), GOsec. ... 2 K. Duckworth (2%-h.p. Douglas), GOsec. ... 3 Also started: F Taunton and T Shegardess (7-9-h.p. Indian), scr.; A. V. Schweltera, L. 0. Thorburn (7-9-h.p Harley Davidson), scr.; W. A. Spragg (3%-hp Triumph), 40sec.; F. New (2%-hp Douglas), 60secs. Of the limit men. New was slowest to move. Sykes went to the lead, and remained there until well In the fourth round, when Busing, who had made up a lot of ground, went to the front and won comfortably by 150 yards, wttli the third man 300 yards further back. New was fourth. Thorburn blew out a back tyre. Time, Gmin 25sec.

MANAIA HANDICAP, 8 laps; any machine. First, £7; second, £2; third, £l. W. .T. Clarlngbold (7-9-hp. Indian), 40sec. 1 J Sweeney (7-9-hp. Indian), 20sec 2 F. Smith (3%-h.p. Triumph), HOsec 3 Also started: L Mangham (7-9-h.p. HarleyDavldson), scr.; E. C Galsford (3<6-h.p. Norton), HOsec,; R. J. Jones (2%-h.p. N.U.T.), 170 sees. Jones was slow to get going, and Smith soon went to the front, and had nearly two laps start before the scratch man got away. The back markers, riding well, gradually decreased their distance from the leaders, but It was not until the end of the seventh lap that Clarlngbold went to the front, and ran In a winner by 300 yards, Sweeney beating Smith by a similar distance for second place. Mangham was fourth. Time, lOmin 46 3-ssec. LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND, G laps First, silver cup (value £5 ss) and £5; second, £2. W. W. Davy (2?4-h.p. Douglas) 1 F. Howarth (2%-hp Triumph) 2 F. Sykes (2H-h.p. Royal Ruby) 3 Also started: R. J. Jones (2%-hp N.UT.). Davy was quickest away, and at the end of the first lap was 100 yards in front of Sykes, with Howarth 100 yards further back. Jones here pulled up Howarth ran Into second place passing the stand the second time, but could not get up to the leader, who won by about 150 yards, Sykes being about half a lap away third. Time, 7mln 21sec. EGMONT HANDICAP, 10 laps; any machine. First. £8; second, £3; third. £l. W. W. Davy (2%-h.p. Douglas), HOsec. ... 1 L. Mangham (7-9-hp Harley-Davidson), scr. 2 J, Sweeney (7-9-h.p. Indian). 20sec i J. Sweeney (7-9-h.p. Indian), 30sees ; F. Howarth (2%-h.p. Triumph), MOsecs; E. t. Galsford (3%-hp. Norton), 175secs; 1 Smith (3%-h.p. Triumph), 230sccs.; M. O'Keefe (■Stall p. Triumph), 25050c5.; R. J. Jones (2%-hp. N.D.T.), 260secs. , , Jones and O'Keefe were the first away, but Smith took the lead at the end of the second lap, and with Galsford had got well Into the third lap before the scratch men were despatched. Mangham, Sweeney and Clarlngbold gave a great exhibition, and gained cons'derobly each round. Galsford maintained the lead to the seventh lap, when the order was: Galsford, Davy, Howarth, Sweeney, Clarlngbold and Mangham. Davy went to the front In the eighth lap, and, maintaining the lead, won by about 100 yards from Mangham, who, In a thrilling struggle for second place, defeated Sweeney by about four yards. Clarlngbold was fourth. Mangham was timed to do one lap (1 mile 9 yards) in 51sees. Time, Hmln. 17 2-ssecs.

AMATEUR HANDICAP, 6 laps; any machine. First, goods value £5 5s and silver medal; second, motor-cycle tyre; third, goods value £1 Is.

P. Sykes (2%-h p. Royal Ruby), TOsec 1 L. G. Thorburn (7-9-h.p. Harloy-Davldson), scr 2 F. Taunton (7-9-h p. Indian), scr 3 Also started: A. V. Schweiters (7-8-h.p. Hurley-Davidson), scr. ;J.. Shegardess (7-9-h.p. Indian), scr.; F. New (294 -h.p. Douglas), 70sec. Sykes quickly established a lead, which the scratch men were unable to overtake, and won by over a quarter of a mile from Thorburn, with Taunton a similar distance away third. Schwe'ters was fourth. New retired after the first lap. Time, Bmln. 10 4-ssecs. TARANAKI HANDICAP, 15 laps; any machine. First, £2O; second, £4; third, £l. Fastest time, £2. R. J. Jones (2%-hp. N.U.T.), 400secs 1 J. Sweeney (7-9-h.p. Indian), 35sec 2 L. Mangham (7-9-h.p. Indian), scr 3 Also started: YV. J. Claringbold (7-9-h.p. Indian), 4!isecs.; F. J. Busing (S-C-h p. Royal Ruby), 120secs.; E. C. Gaisford (3%-h.p. Norton), 390secs, This proved a very exciting contest, hut the scratch man was asked to give away 100 big starts. Jones was quick to move, and established a lead of 300 yards over Gaisford, the pair'having gone over 2 laps before Busing got away, and 3% laps before Mangham was despatched. The crack at once clapped on the pace, and when Jones had completed the ninth lap the order was: Sweeney, Claringbold, Mangham and Busing, each in their seventh lap. A lap later Mangham had run into third place, but was still nearly two laps behind tlie leader. Sweeney and Mangham, riding brilliantly, continued to overhaul the leader, the scratch man's performance evoking applause, but the start was too much, and Jones ran In a winner by half a lap, with Sweeney 100 yards in front of Mangham. Claringbold was fourth. Time, 20mln G l-ssec. Mangham was the fastest time, with the great performance of 14mln 54 4-ssec. AMATEUR HANDICAP, 5 laps; any machine up to 3%-hp.. First, goods value £5 5s and silver medal; second, trophy value £2 2s; third, goods, value £1 Is. K. C. Duckworth (2%-hp. Douglas), 20secs. 1 F. New (2%-hp. Douglas), 20secs 2 \V. A. Spragg (3'i-h p. Triumph), 20secs. ... 3 Also started: P. Sykes (2%-h.p. Royal Ruby), scratch. At the end of the first la'p Duckworth led by 20 yards from Spragg, who was a similar distance in front of Sykes At the end of the second lap Sykes was in the load from Duckworth, New and Spragg, following in that order. In the final lap Sykes looked all over a winner, when his machine gavo trouble, and Duckworth won by half a lap from New, who was a similar distance ahead of Spragg. Time, 7min 0 2-fisec. PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP, 12 laps; anv machine. First, £10; second, £3; third, £l. R. J. Jones (2%-li p. N.U.T.), 260secs 1 E. C. Gaisford Norton), 300secs. 2 L. Mangham (7-9-h p Harley-Davidson), scr. 3 Also competed: J. Sweeney (7-9-h.p. Indian), lUsoes.; F. Tuuntou (7-S-h.p. Indian). Ww- •■

F. .T. Busing (5-0-h.p. Royal Ruby), OOsecs ; T. Shegardess (7-0-h.p. Indian), lOOsecs.; L. G. Thorburn (7-9-h.p. Harley-Davldson), lOOsecs.; W. W. Davy (2%-hp. Douglas), 120secs ; F. Smith {'iM-hji Triumph), ItiOaecs.; P. Sykes (2%-h.p. Royal Ruby), 240secs. This proved another good struggle. The limit men had completed three laps before Maugham set out after them, but the task of overhauling them proved too great. Gaisford maintained the lead to the tenth round, followed by Sykes and R. J. Jones, when the latter went to the front, and Sykes dropped back, Mangham, who had' overhauled Sweeney, being fifth. In the run home Schweiters made a great burst, and was alongside the leader, 50 yards from home, when his clutch gave out, and robbed him of victory. Jones won from Gaisford by about 20 yards, with Mangham a little distance back. Sweeney was fourth. Time, 17min. 13 2-ssee.