MOTOR CYCLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1921, Page 8

MOTOR CYCLING.

RACES AT NEW PLYMOUTH. GOOD SPORT PROVIDED. The popularity of motor ending as a sport in Taranaki was evidenced by the laflge crowd that attended the second annual meeting held under the auspices of the New Plymouth Motor Cycle Club on the racecourse on Saturday. The gate takings were over £lOO in excess of last yean Many of those present wei;e viewing unotor cycle racing for the first time, and it is safe to say that tie sp\t, with its many thrilling moments and the element of risk that it possesses, demanding the utmost skill, courage and coolness on the part of the contestants in negotiating the many turns, appealed strongly to the public, who showed their appreciation by applauding winners and losers. The racing was of an exciting nature, and the Gelds were splendid, and while it could not be’ said that many of the finishes were close, they were all interesting, and there was always that element of uncertainty, that no matter how far a competitor might be in front, the race was not won until the winning post was passed. This was strikingly illustrated in two of the races, viz., the Fitzroy Handicap and tl|p New Plymouth Handicap, in which Claringbold and Mangham' looked to have the respective prizes within their grasp, when mishaps to their machines enabled the second man (Sykes in each instance) to gain the prize. Mangham, who was giving away long starts, roue with remarkable bad luck. His magnificent riding, and the nerve with which he negotiated the corners, proved an eye-opener to the spectators, and be speedily overhauled his opponents ono after another, but the best he could get was a second and a third. The starts he had to give away were too much, whilst in the big race he punctured a tyre when the £3O was within his grasp. In the middle-weight handicap he was making good progress when engine trouble caused his retirement. In the Moturoa Handicap, in which he was placed fourth, he Had during the progress of the race, lost the cap of his benzine tank and replaced it while riding with the cap which he removed from his oil tank. What he is capable of doing he showed in an exhibition mile, which he cut out In 55sec, breaking b ! last year’s record on the course by l-ssec.—a performance that received well deserved applause. Sykes, with, three firsts and a second, as well as special foj the fastest time in the big race, was the most successful rider of the, day, lifting £69 in prize money. E. A. Gaisford (Marton), with a first, a second and a third, also scored well, as did VV. Davy (Hawera), with a first and a second, his success inutile Middle-weight Handicap also carrying a £lO gold .medal. F. Taunton, of Waverley, and formerly of New Plymouth, scored a first and three thirds, also annexing the gold medal awarded by the president (Mr. Johnson) to the rider scoring most points in the novice and members' race. Moller (Hawera), and Grubb (Stratford) also passed the poet first. The arrangements for the conduct of the meeting were first-class, and the officials responsible deserve to be complimented on the success achieved. They included Judges, E. T, Whittle, W. C. Weston, A. Smith; handicapper, A. Barley; time-keeper, J. Bennett; starters, L, B. Webster, W. J. Simmons; trackstewards, E. Reed, H. Crockett, E, A. Elliott; protest committee, Messrs. E. Douch, Allan, and Johnson; lap stewards, O. George, T. Hurley, J. Crockett, A. F. Bleasdale, R. Prestney, Langley; call stewards, Roekstraff, H. E. Jaclai, P, Douglas; result steward, E. A. Anderson; flag steward, A. Spragg; chief stewards, P. Stainton, W. Johnstone; gates, JS. A. Goodacre, H. Leighton. The secretary (Mr, H. Townsley) had complete arrangements made for a successful gathering, and he was Ably assisted by Mr. McHardle, as assistant tcretary. During the afternoon the Citizens' Band gavg a splendid programme of musical items. The afternoon tea was run for the club by Mr. Stott, and he had a busy time. The course, though not an ideal track for motor cycling, had been got in first-class order by Mr. Blawman, as the times recorded during the day, and particularly by Mangham in his exhibition mile, show. There were two or three mishaps dyripg the afternoon, Jones receiving a severe ahak. ing as the result of his machine coming to grief in the New Plymouth Handicap, whilst in the Jockey Club Handicap Moller’s machine jambed and the’ rfdpr was thrown off, but escaped Injury. Following tftu the detailed results: — NbVICE RACE, five lapa; first £6, second £3, third £2. F. Taunton, 7-9 Indian (scr) 1 L. J. Webby, 7-9 Harley (15sec) 2 A. C. Garner, 3% Motosocoche (55sec) ... ,3 Also started—R. George, 5-6 J.A.P. (20sec) ; W. Grubb, 2% Douglas (90sec); O. S. New, 2% Douglas (DOaec). Of the limit men New was quickest to move, but soon gave place to Garner, who had nearly a lap before the scratch man started, The order for the first three laps was Garner, Grubb, and Webby, with Taunton gradually making up ground. In the fourth lap Taunton put in a great run and ran into second position, easily heading off Webby in the final 1 round, and winning by over 100 yards, with Garner some distance further back. Grubb was fourth'. George was uftable to get moving and took no part in the race. Time, 6mip. FITZROY HANDICAP, eight laps; 5-6 machines or over. First £l4, second £4, third £2. F. Sykes, 7-9 Indian (50sec) 1 S. Whitehead, 7-9 Excelsior (25sec) .... 2 L. Mangham, 7-9 Harley-Davidson (scr) 3 Also started—H. Moller, 7-9 Harley-David-son (40sec) ; W. H. Rook, 7-9 Indian (40see) ; W. Claringbold, 7-9 Indian (50sce) ; F. Taunton, 7-9 Indian (55sec) ; L. P. Webby, 7-9 Harley-Davidson (SOsec) ; R. George, 5-6 J.A.P. (90see), George got away smartly this time, and witr Webby completed over u lap before Mangham was given the starting signal. In the second lap Claringbold, riding well, went to the lead from Webby and Taunton. In the third lap the order was Claringbold, Sykes, Taunun. Whitebead, Rook, Moller and Mangham, and there was no alteration until the seventh lay, save that Whitehead bad worked into third position. There was practically no alteration until commencing the final round, when Claringbold, who looked aJi over a winner, had to pull out owing to his niaej ine seizing, leaving Sykes to go on and win by over 100 yards from Whltetead, who was a similar distance in front of Mangham. No time taken. MOTUROA HANDICAP, eight laps; machines up to 3% h p. First £l4, second £4, third £2. F. Sykes, 3% Royal Ruhr (15sec) 1 ■W. Davy, 2% Douglas (55see) 2 R. .1. Jones, 3% N.U.T. (25sec) 3 Also started—L. .Mangham, Royal Ruby (scr) ; J. Sweeney, 3% Indian (25sec) ; E. A. Galsford, S’/a Indian (.'.Usee) ; C. Goodwin, 2% Douglas (SOsec) ; A. C. Garner, 3% Motosocoche (!)s«ec) ; H. B. Richards, 2% H.B.R. (105 sec ; W. Grubb, 2% Douglas (150 sec , O. S. New, ‘2% Douglas (150 sec The limit man got away smartly nnd Jec. fcr the first five laps, when Davy, w’'o had made up ja lot. ot ground, ran tc ibe front with Sykes third. .Touts, Goodwin, Swetney, Mangham and Garner in that order. In tl?e seventh round Syifes had run into second position with Jones and Mangham some distance back. A great run home ensued, Sykes overhauling the leader just before entering the straight, and getting the verdict in it close finish by 20 yards, with Jones 30 yards fur. tl?er back and Mangham, who had ridden a fine race, 75 yards away fourth. Time, Bniln. 28 2-ssec, NEW PLYMOUTH HANDICAP, of fifteen taps; for h p. machines or over. First, £3O, second £B, third £3. A special of £5 for fastest time. F. Sykes, 7-9 Indian (60see) I E. A. Galsford, Indian (180 sec ... 2 F. Taunton. 7-9 Indian (JUJfigci 3

Also started—L. Mangham, 7-9 Harley-Dav-idson (scr); S. Whitehead, 7-9 Excelsior (45 sec) ; J. Sweeney, 3% Indian (140 sec ; R. J. Jones, 3% N.U.T. (135 sec ; L. Webby, 7-9 Harley-Davidson (150 sec A. C. Garner, 3% Motosocoche (270 sec This race was full of incident. Garner again started quickly and had over a lap gone before the next, man got away, while he was over three laps on his journey before Mangham left the mark. There was little alteration for the first six laps, the limit men holding the lead, though the back markers, particularly Whitehead, Mangham and Sykes, were rapidly improving their positions. At the end of the eighth lap Sweeney ran into the lead from Garner and Whitehead, with Gaisford, Sykes, Mangham and Taunton in that order. Whitehead, going strongly, buckled his back wheel and had to pull up, cleverly avoiding a spill, and Garner also dropped back, the order for the tenth lap being Sweeney, Galsford, Mangham, Sykes. Mangtam here put in a great spurt and headed the field with Sykes as his nearest attendant, and going on looked a sure winner, when just as he was entering the last lap his back tyre punctured, leaving Sykes to go on and win by about three parts of a lap from Galsford, with Taunton, who had pulled out but remounted, a long way back third, being the only ones to complete the course. Jones had a spill through an accident to his machine, but escaped with a slight shaking, being attended to by Dr. Brewster. Time, Iniin, 47sec. MEMBERS’ HANDICAP, of six laps; open to members of the New Plymouth Motor Cycle Club. First £6, second £3, third £l. ,H. Moller, 7-9 Indian (scr) 1 W. Rook, 7-9 Indian (scr) 2 F. Taunton, 7-9 Indian (20sec) 3 Also started—R. George, 5-6 J.A.P. (80sec) ; W. Grubb, 2% Douglas (95sec). Grubb got away well and had ovet a lap start from Moller, who was slow to get started, but soon set sail after the leaders, whom he gradually overhauled, and in the third tap held command from Grubb, Taunton and Rook. Next lap the last named ran into second place, Grubb dropping back last, and this was the order to the finish, Moller winning by about 206 yards from Rook, with Taunton a similar distance further back. Time, 7min. 43sec. TARANAKI MIDDLE-WEIGHT HANDICAP, ten laps; open to any machine up to 500 c.c. First £lO and gold medal valued £lO, second £6, third £4. W. Davy, 2% Douglas (75sec) 1 F. Sykes, 3% Royal Ruby (ssec) 2 E. A. Gaisford, 3% Indian (65sec) 3 Also started—L. Mangham, Harley-Dav-idson (scr) ; J. Sweeney, lndian (45sec) ; A. C. Garner, 3y 2 Motosocoche (125 sec ; 11. B. Richards, 2% H.B.R. (135 sec ; New, 2% Douglas (195 sec C. Goodwin, 2% Douglas (125 sec riding well, overhauled the limit man in the fourth round, when the order read Davy, Gamer, Gaisford, Sweeney, Sykes and Mangham, the last named rapidly improving Lis position. Garner dropped back, until in the eighth round he was last. Here Mangham struck more bad the shape of engine trouble and had to pull up. Sykes, riding with great determination, set out after the leaders, overhauling Sweeney a nek Gaisford in the ninth and last laps respectively, but he was unable to reach Davy, who rode a good race and won by about a quarter ofc a mile, with Galsford about 100 yards further back, and Sweeney close up fourth. Time, llmin. 2-ssec. JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP, ten laps; open to any machine. First £l4, second £4 third £2, E. A. Galsford, 3% Indian (120 sec .... 1 L. Mangham, 7-9 Harley-Davidson (scr) .. 2 F. Taunton, 7-9 Indian (70sec) 3 Also started—H. Moller, 7-9 Harley-David-son (40see) ; W. 11. Rook, 7-9 Indian (60sec) ; O. S: New, 2% Douglas (26Dsec). The limit man’s long start saw him over a lap on his journey before Gaisford left the mark, the latter also being over a lap and a half ahead of the scratch man, Mangham. Moller came to grief in the first lap owing to his machine jambing, with the result that he was thrown Into the air, but escaped 'lnjury. The order for the first four laps was •unchanged, though the back markers quickly lessened the gap between the limit man and themselves. Early in the fifth tap Mangham passed Rook, whilst in the sixth lap Gaisford ran to the front from New, Taunton and Mangham. New was soon oqt-* paced by the last two. Entering the eighth lap Gaigford was nearly two-thirds of a lap in front of Taunton, with Mangham riding magnificently some distance further ba‘ck. The scratch man made a great effort to overhaul the leaders, passing Taunton like a flash in the final lap, but the handicap proved too much, and he could not get up to Galsford, who won by about a third of a mile, with Tpunton over JQQ yards back. Time, 1 iniin, 15sec, CONSOLATION HANDICAP, six laps. First £6, second £4, third £3, W. Grubb, 2% Dougins (165 sec 1 J. Sweeney, lndian (65sec) 2 R. George, 5-6 J.A.P. (70sec) 3 Also started—W. H. Rook, 7-1) Indian (30 sec) ; W. Claringbold, 7-9 Indian (45£ec). The limit man was never headed, winning comfortably by a third of a mHe frdfe Sweeney, who was 4 Similar distance in front of George, No time was taken, THE HAWERA MEETING. Next Wednesday the third annual motor cycle racing meeting of the Hawera Motor Cycle Club will be held on the Hawera Racecourse. Everything points to this meting being the most successful yet held. Record nominations have been received, and in two races on the programme there are no less than 25 competitors m each, Including the foremost riders of the Dominion, Tho course and its appointments, under the capable supervision of Mr. A. Morse, will be at its best, and now that the whole of the track has ben returfed and banked it should prove an admirable motor racing track. The handsome cup donated by Mr. B. L. Joll for the winner of the President’s Handicap, together with the blue ribbon for the Winner of the N.Z. middle-weight championsi’lp, are now on view in Messrs, Goldstone and Patterson's window. Tickets for admission io the course are on sale at various shops.