MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1920, Page 5

MOTOR CYCLE SPORTS.

THE INAUGURAL MEETING. AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. The promoters of the Star Motor Cycle Club's sports meeting, which took place on the New Plymouth racecourse on Saturday, have every reason to feel satisfied with the result achieved, for not only did the attendance, which totalled 8000, more than exceed expectations, but the sport provided was very, attractive. The Club was fortunate in having Coleman and Maugham, the two New Zealand champions, competing, but the performances put up by somo of the local lads, notably Rooke, who won three events, were very creditable, and with more track practice they should improve. Neither of the champions was first prist the post during the afternoon. The track, though Mr; Blewman had it in tip-top order, is not an ideal motor cycle track. There are one or two awkward spots to negotiate, and as a result the scratch men were not able to concede the handicaps. Both, however, gave an exhibition mile ■from a flying start, Mangham doing the distance in 55 1-5 seconds, and Coleman taking a second longer. The sports, though new to the officials, were admirably conducted, everything going off smoothly, and the "events were got off to time. The principal officials were:—Judges, E. T. Whittle, A. Smith, Allen; starters, L. B. Webster, E. Douoh; track stewards, A. George, D. Slmmonds, E. Elliott; lap steward*, M. Julian, 0. George, H. Putt, H. Jenkins, W. Roebuck; H. Townsley, E. A. Anderson, C. L. Godkin, E. Revell, E. Chubbin, —. Thomas, A. C. Anderson, W. Chubbin, P. Prestney, L. Goodacre, B. Goodacre, —. Campbell; call stewards, Messrs Johnstone and R. Whale; gates, Messrs. Day and H. Leighton; result stewards, Mews. Moore and Kelly; timekeeper, Mr. J. Bennett; protest committee, •• Massr*. • Weston, M'Hordie and Nolan; benzine and oil, Mr. Rowe; chief stewards, Messrs. Stain ton and Johnson. Mr. Torstanson, the handicapper, was unable to be present. Mr. E. G. Bailey, of Hawera, attended to the re-handi-gapping, of whicli there was a great deal during the afternoon. Mr. H. Townsley, as secretary, had all his arrangements i complete. He was ably backed up by Mr. | L. A. McHardie aa assistant secretary. • There was no accident to mar the gathering. The afternoon tea kiosk, which was run by the Club under the management of Mrs. Hardgraves, was very well patronised, as was the soft drinks stall, which was run for the Club by Mr. Harrison.

The Citizens' Band, under Mr. F. W. G. McLeod, added to the afternoon's enjoyment with a splendid programme of music. Results are as follow: NOVICE HACK, Ave laps. Trophies for first, second and third. W. H. Rooke (7-9 Indian), scr 1 P. Taunton (7-9 Indian), scr. 2 H. Lealand <7 -y Dayton), lOsec 3 Also started: C. E. Allen (7-9 Indian), 10 set, 1. E. H. Scott (7-9 Indian) 10 sec, V. \V. Bowe (7-9 Indian) lusec, and F. H. Champion (2^' Douglas), 70sec. Rowe was unablo to get Mb machine away from tho' mark and took no part la the race. By the time tho scratch men were away Champion had completed three parts of a lap: but Jio<-';8 and Taunton, riding well, set after him, and entering tho fourth lap both had overhualed the loader. Rooke was some 100 yards ahead of Taunton, a position he maintained to the finish. Time, 5.19. FITZROY HANDICAP, of eight laps, for 5-61 h.i>. machines or over. First £B, second £3, third Sift'. H. Rooko (7-9 Indian), CSsec 1 W. J. Clarlnghold I"" 9 Indian), 60sec .. 2 I*. Coleman (7-9 Indian), scr 3 Also started: L Mangham (7.9 HarleyDavidson) JSsec, F. Taunton (7-9 Indian) CSsee, J. E. H. Scott (7,9 Indian) 70see. Kookc, getting away well, soon went to the front, ;and had completed a lap before the scratch man got away, and though Coleman find Maugham rode well they were unable to give' away so much start. Rooke gained the verdict by about 650 yards from \V. J. Clarlnghold, who was a similar distance In front of Coleman, who headed Manghain entering the last lap, and gained third" place- by 100 yards. 'Only this qu«rt«US finished. Time, 8 27. MOTUROA HANDICAP, of eight laps, for machines up to 3',4-hp. Ilret £S, second £3, third £l. .T. Sweeney (3 Vi Indian), scr 1 W. W. Davy (iVi Douglas), 65sec ...<.• 2 Morrison (S% Twin Matchless), SOsec. .. 3 Also started: E. C. Galsford (3% Indian), lOscc, F. Sykea (2% Royal Ruby) lOsec, J. SmitJi (3% Triumph) 50See, F. L. Champion (214 Douglas) 90sec. /v' Smith got away ba#y, whilst Champion, riding well, had gone a lap before Sweeney left the mark. Champion held the load for the first four laps, where Davy, who had run into second place from Galsford at the end of the second lap, took the 'lead. A good race between Davy, Morrison, and Caisford enued for the next three laps, Morrison runuing Into second place. Sweeney, from scratch, had been gradually cutting down the distance, and entering the last lap, was close up to tho leaders. Opening out, he ran homo a winner by about 150 yards from Davy, who Just beat Morrison for uocond place. Gaisford was fourth. Time, 0.55. MEMBERS' HANDICAP, of si* laps, for members of the Star Motor Cycle Club only. Trophies for first, second and third. \Y. 11. Booke (7-9 Indian), scr 1 T. \V. I'.owe (7-9 Indian), Olaec 2 C. E. Allen (7-9 Indian). SOsec 3 Also started: E. Lealand (7-9 Payton), GOsec. This proved another good tiling for Rooke, who scored his third success. Riding strongly, he caught his field In tho fifth lap, and won by over 250 yards, with the third man 000 yards further back. Time, (120. NEW PLYMOUTH HANDICAP, of 15 laps, for. 7-9 h.p. machines. First £2O, second £6, third £2; also £5 for fastest time. s L. Mangham (Harley-Davidson), 35seo ~.. 1 W. J. Clarlnghold (Indian), lOOsec 2 P. Coleman (Indian), scr 3

Also started: W. fl. Rooifl (Jnton) CSsee, and P. Taunton (Indian) 80sec. Clnrlngbold, on the limit, led the way from Taunton and Hoolte for the first four laps, when Mansham, who was riding very fast, ran Into second place. Booke was third and Taumon fourth. There was no alteration In the relative positions of the loaders until the tenth lav, when Maugham went to the h'»nt from Clarlngbold, with Booke third,' and Coleman fourth. Mangham had no trouble in maintaining the lead, and was the best part of a lap in front of Clarlngboid, when he pulled up a few yards in front of the post and had to remount and finish, nearly losing the fastest time thereby. Colqman was about 150 yards further back. Time, 34.38 3-5. JOCKEY CLUH HANDICAP, of eight laps, for any machine up 10 5-6 h.p. First £lO, second £3 third £l. P. Syke3 (3% Royal Ruby), SOsec ...... 1 .1. Sweeney (3% Indian), scr 2 W. W. Davy (2>,4 Douglas), 85sec 3 Also started: R. C. Oalsfoid (3% Indian) Usee, Morrison (3% Twin Matchless) 30sec, F Smith (3V4 Triumph) Msec, P. Champion (2% Douglas) 85sec, R. A. George (3ft Swift), »ssec. Champion was not caught till the' fourth lap, when \s. W. Davy took the lead, which he held for about a lap. Here Sykes went to tho front and the issue thereafter was never in doubt, as he won by nbdut a quarter of a mile from Sweeney who VM made up a kit of ground, with Davy about fourth. Time, 9.5 2-5. 150 yards further back. Champion was NCIAHOTU HANDICAP (Open), of 10 lapsFirst £lO, second £3, third £l. ,(. Sweeney (3',4 Indian), 120 sec 1 V. Bykei (3ft Royal Ruby), lSOseo ...... i W. K. Rooks (7-9 Indian), Utta 3