MOTOR-CYCLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1922, Page 8

MOTOR-CYCLING.

SPLENDID AFTERNOON’S SPORT. SOME GREAT SPEED CONTESTS. I ' There can be no question but that motor cycle racing has jumped into the front rank of popularity among the general public. Therefore, when it became known that the leading Dominion riders were competing at the New Plymouth Motor Cycle Club’s races on Saturday it was at once recognised that all that was required to ensure a successful gathering was a fine day. In this respect the fates were kind, and though the afternoon was dull, a crowd estimated at over 3000 were present on ,the grounds, whilst considerable numbers observed the contests from the fence. It is safe to say that the programme provided during the afternoon would further popularise this sport, for there were not only some great runs, but some splendid exhibitions of riding. The course had been carefully prepared by Mr. Blewman, and though naturally the recent rain made the track a bit soft, yet that it was in good order was evident -from the fact that some of the laps were negotiated in 56 4-ssec., a speed equivalent to over 63 miles per hour. Fortunately there were no serious accidents, though the public were given some thrills, notably when the machine ridden by Sykes collapsed in front of the stand, owing to the forks breaking when he was travelling at over a mile a minute. The rider was thrown some distance, and, after rolling over and 'over several times, picked himself up uninjured, and later in the afternoon he rode again. In the same race P. Coleman injured his shoulder through the handle bars of his machine slipping, while in an earlier race P. Meehan sustained a broken collarbone.

Fields right through were good, and the finishes generally were close, a trioute to the work of the handicapper, Mr. A. G. Bartley. Particularly was tms the ease in the New Plymouth Handicap, over a distance of 15 miles, when the placed men, Stratton, Whitehead and Coleman finished within seconds of each other. The New Zealand middleweight championship was won by L. H. Mangham after a good race with Coleman, the ten miles being covered in 10min. 47sec. After the race, Mr. W. C. Weston presented him with the championship blue riband in -front of the stand, where the champion had been carried shoulder high by his fellow riders. The novice and amateur even’s provided much amusement. The arrangements for the conduct of the meeting were very good.. and, save in the first race when the competitors did an extra lap through a misunderstanding over the flags, there was not a hitch, the results being got off well to time. All the officials did their work well, the principal ones being: Starter, Mr. L. B. Webster; assistant starter, Mr. N. C. Bullot; judges, Messrs. G. R. Allen, W. C. Weston and F. H. Jellyman; time-keepers, Messrs. Dalgleish and Ferry; stewards,JH. Townsley. P. E. Stainton ((chief), E. Reed, R. Baillie and E. Sutcliffe (track), O. George, H. Crockett and H. Jacka (lap), u Allen, L. McHardie, and P. Douglas (call),.W. J Darby ( result), z R. Whale (benzine and oil), W. J. Simmons (flag), and A. E. Goodacre and IL Leighton (programme). The secretarial duties we?e in the hands of Mr. C. H. Wynyard, with Mr, J. B. Wilson as assistant, and this department was excellent. The Citizens’ Band under the baton of Conductor R. L. Lowe rendered a programme of music that was much appreciated. The afternoon tea was run by the club under the management of Mrs. Millman, in the tea kiosk, which, with ail the other appointments, was placed at the club’s disposal. * Results: NOVICE HANDICAP, of five tops. First £5, second £3, third £l. R. George, 34 Swift, (35sec) 1 A. New, 3£ New Comet (losec) .... 2 W. Kamene, 7-9 Indian (lOsec) 3 Also started—W. R. Saunders, 7-9 Harley-Davidson (ssec); R. Grant, 7-9 Harley-Davidson (ssec); J. Crockett, 3g Royal Ruby (35sec); A. Garner, 3| Motoscoche (45sec); L. S. Young, Douglas (65sec). : George took the lead at the end of the first lap from Garner, Crockett, Young and New. The last-named, who was slow to get moving, quickly made up ground, and at the ur.d of the third lap had run into second place. He, however, was unable to catch George, who won by about 30 yards, with Kamene some distance further back and Grant fourth. The riders, owing to some misunderstanding, did an extra lap in which New caught and passed George. Time for the six laps, 7min. 12sec.

FITZROY HANDICAP, of eight laps. For 4 h.p. machines or over. First £lO, second £5, third £2. S. Whitehead, 7 Excelsior (lOsec) .. 1 F. Sykes, 7 Indian (oOsec) 2 P. Coleman. 7 Indian (scr) 3

Also started —H. H. Moeller, 7 Har-ley-Davidson (40sec); J. Sweeney, 7 Indian (40sec); W. J. Claringbold, 7 Indian (oOsec); T. J. Butler, 7-9 Indian (90see); F. Smith, 4 Triumph (llOsec).

Smith Butler had nearly completed two laps before Whitehead and Coleman got away. Smith retired in the second lap and Sykes took command from Claringbold and Moeller, with Whitehead and Coleman riding strongly and making up ground fast. Sykes led the way till the sixth lap. where Whitehead was close up second and Coleman some distance back third, In the seventh lap Whitehead shot to the front, and riding in great style, increased his lead, winning by more than the length of the straight from Sykes, with Coleman, who finished fast, about 20 yards further back. Moeller was fourth and Claringbold fifth. Time, 7mln. 42 sec. The winner’s last lap was done in 56 4-ssec, whilst Coleman took 57sec.

MOTUROA HANDICAP, of eight laps. For machines up to 3% h.p. First £l2, second £5, third £2. P. Coleman. 3 1 /. Indian (lOsec) .... 1 D. Hammond, 3J Excelsior (55sec) .. 2 F. Sykes, 3A Royal Ruby (lOsec) ~ 3,

Also startcd-t-L. Mangham, HarleyDavidson (lOsed bhd. scr); H. H. Moeller, Douglas (scr) ; S, C, Stratton, 5 j /2 Indian (lOsec) ; R. J- Jones, 3 N.U.T. (25sec); W. W. Davy, 3 own make (30see); O. S. New, 3y 2 New Comet (55sec) ; P. Meehan, 2% Rubenstein (SOsece) ; A. Garner, Motoscoche (105 sec S. L. Young, 2? Doughs (135 sec The limit men had gone more than a lap before the middle-markers got I away, but the latter, with the scrat<-h men. also quickly made up ground, ’n the third lap Hammond took the leal and in the fourth round held cohmnnd with New, Davy, Coleman, Stratton rjvl Sykes as his nearest attenoancs. >» I the atxt IH# iftto se . v m

place, where he remained until half a mile from home, when he flashed past Hammond and won by about 50 yards, with Sykes over 100 yards behind Hammond. Stratton was fourth and Davy fifth. Mangham’s last lap was done in 62sec. Time, 8m in. 29sec.

NEW PLYMOUTH HANDICAP, of fifteen laps. For Class A machines (i.e., capable of one mile in 66sec. or better). First £3O, second £B, third £4. S. C. Stratton, 3$ Royal Ruby (135 sec i S. Whitehead, 7 Excelsior (scr) .... 2 P. Coleman, Indian (120 sec .... 3

Also started—H. H. Moeller, 7 Har-ley-Davidson (90sec); J. Sweeney, 7 Indian (90sec); L. Mangham, «3| HarleyDavidson (OOsec); F. Sykes, 7 Indian (90sec); F. Smith, 4 Triumph (ISOsec); P. Meehan, 3| Rubenstein (255 sec This proved a very interesting and exciting contest. The limit man had nearly completed four rounds when the scratch man got going, but leaving the straight on the fifth round Meehan came to grief through his machine skidding, and he sustained a broken collarbone, while Smith also gave up. This left Stratton well in the lead from Coleman, Sweeney, Mangham, Moeller, Sykes and Whitehead, the latter nearly two laps behind. In the seventh lap Mangham ran into third position, with Moeller fourth. There was no alteration in the positions until the eleventh lap, when Moeller ran into third place, Mangham into fourth, and Whitehead, riding strongly, into fifth. Next lap the scratch man ran into third place, and held this position until the fourteenth lap, when Stratton was 100 yards in front of Coleman, with Whitehead 150 yards further back third. Whitehead fairly flew Over the last lap and went past Coleman with a flash. He rapidly overhauled the leader, but in a great run up the straight failed to get there by 50 yards, with Coleman 30 yards further back and Moeller close up fourth. Time, 16min. I2Bsec. Whitehead did the distance, in 3Ssec, his fastest lap taking 56.4-ssee. AMATEUR HANDICAP, of five laps. For stock roadster machines. First £5, second £3, third £l. T. J. Butler, 7-9 Indian (scr) 1 J. Crockett, 3% Royal Ruby (30sec) 2 R. George, 3% Swift (15sec) 9

Also started —D. Garner, 3A Motoscoche (7‘ssec); S. L. Young, 2% Douglas (SOsec).

The limit men held command for the first three laps, but early in the fourth lap Butler rushed to the front and won easily by over 300 yards from Crockett. George, who was slow to get going, was some distance away third. Time, 6min. Msec.

NEW ZEALAND MIDDLE-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP, of ten laps. For machines up to 500, c.c. First £2O, second £6, third £3. L Mangham, 3| Harley-Davidson .. 1 P Coleman, 3J Indian 2 S. C. Stratton, 3$ Indian . : 3

Also started —F. Sykes, 3% Royal Ruby, H. H. Moeller, 3y 2 Douglas. This proved a race worthy of a championship. When the field was dispatched Coleman was quickest to move, and at the end of the first lap was just in front of Sykes, with Mangham and Moeller together a little distance back,* and Stratton, who was slow to move, last. In the third lap Mangham and Coleman were together, and rode neck and neck for seven laps, with Sykes lying Coming up the straight Sykes was rapidly overhauling the leaders when his forks broke, and the machine collapsed, hurling the rider in the air. He rolled over several times, but to the amazement of all escaped unhurt. Passing the poSt in the eighth lap Mangham gained a slight advantage, but Coleman was still pressing him very close, when turning for home in the ninth lap his handles twisted, and he had to steady down. Mangham, going on, won by over 290 yards, with Stratton some distance further back third and Moeller fourth. Coleman injured his shoulder through colliding with the fence in the final round. Time, 10 min. 47aec, JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP (Open), of ten laps. First £l2, second £5, third £2. W. W. Davy, 3 own make (130 sec .. 1 T. J. Butler, 7-9 Indian (140 sec .. 2 R. J. Jones, 2| Rubenstein (170 sec 3 Also started—S. Whitehead, 7 Excelsior (scr); H. H. Moeller, 7 HarleyDavidson (65sec); P. Sweeney, 7 Indian (70sec); H. Mangham, 3A Harley-David-son (60sec); W. J. Claringbold, 7 Indian (60sec); S. C. Stratton, SJ- Indian (75 sec); D. Hammond, 3£ Ex*celsior (120 sec); F. Smith, 4 Triumph (140 sec F. H. Champion, 2J Douglas (ISOsec).

The three limit machines had completed two laps before the scratch men got away. Champion led the way over the first seven roiyrtds, when he pulled out, and Butler, who had been lying second since the third round, took' the lead from Jones, Davy, and Hammond. In the next round Davy, who was riding with good judgment, ran into second berth. At the commencement of the final lap Davy headed Butler, and in a good finish gained the verdict by about 30. yards from Butler, with Jones a long way back third and Hammond fourth. Time, lOmin. 18sec. Stratton’s machine fell as he was mounting, and he took no part in the "race. CONSOLATION HANDICAP (Open), of six laps. First £5, second £4, third £2. R. J. Jones. 2£ Rubenstein (115 soc 1 D. Hammond, 34 Excelsior (120 sec 2 H. Mangham. 3% Harley-Davidson (40sec) 3 Also started —F. Sykes, 7 Indian (40 sec) ; J. Sweeney, 7 Indian (45see); vV. J. Claringbold, 7 Indian (45sec); W. Kamene, 7-9 Indian (OOsec); J. Crockett, 3Va Royal Ruby (120 sec A. Garner, 34 Motoscoche (ISOsec); S. L. Young, 2:] Douglas (240 sec S. L. Young held the lead for the first three laps from Garner and Jones. The last-named then took the lead and won by over a quarter of a mile from Hammond, who passed Garner in ’ the fifth lap. Mangham yyas third and Garner fourth. No time t>fiken. SOCIAL EVENING. A smoke concert was held at the Kawaroa Park bungalow in the evening, at which visiting riders, other guests and officials of the club were present. Mr. H. Townsley presided. • In opening proceedings the chairman remarked that as far as the club was concerned the day was very successful financially, and he thought that the public had appreciated the sport provided. He expressed thanks to the oflic als outside the chib who had so kind]j con>o to their assistance in conducti j Ll,< gathering. The helpers includ•■•e nbers of the sporty committee a eral other prominent gentlemen

of the town, and their action was thoroughly appreciated by the club. A toast list was opened with t-ne usual Loyal toast, alter which the chair- ■ man proposed the “New Zealand Auto Cyclo Union.” He said they had a con- | trolling interest in this body, which | exercised such a good influence over the I sport. He thought all who saw the meeting that day would agree that | motor cycle racing was a clean sport. (Hear, hear.) He remarked on the battle the N.Z.A.C.U. had had in its earlier days, but it was now well established and in capable hands, and ne thought the body had the entire confidence of all affiliated clubs. The toast was coupled with the name of Mr. Arthur Spragg, .of Hawera, treasurer of the union. In the course of his reply Mr. Spragg said he much appreciated the actfon of the New Plymouth Club, when it first intended to run a meeting, in seeking the' advice oi the Hawera Club. There were other clubs who might have bean more successful if they had sought the advice of older clubs before starting a meeting. Mr. Spragg congratulated the New Plymouth Club on the way they had always conducted their meeting, stating that the management was equal to any in New Zealand. The club made • a point of looking after the riders, who were the most important -feature oi a meeting.

A toast which was heartily received was that of “The Champion,” Mr. L. Mangham. In proposing this toast, Mr. W. D. Webster remarked that in the interests of the public the club might consider the question of going in for a more up-to-date lap board. Reverting to the subject of the toast, Mr. Webster said the middle-weight championship provided a very interesting race, and on the day Mangham proved himself the best man, though for a time it looked as if it was anybody’s race. In replying, Mr. Mangham said the proposer had remarked that the race looked anybody’s. Personally, for a time he thought it looked to be anybody’s'but his own. However, he was more fortunate than the rest and won the ribbon, which he had coveted very much. “Visiting Riders” was proposed by Mr. F. Sykes, who humorously remarked that he was glad to be able to_ propose the toast after his somersaulting experiences of the day. Mr. W. W. Davy (Hawera) replied, and said he was sure all the riders who could do so would visit the New Plymouth meeting again next year, for it was a pleasure to compete at a meeting run in such a capable manner. Other toasts included “Honorary Officials,” proposed by Mr. L. McHardie and responded’ to by Mr. A. L, Humphries. During the evening an enjoyable musical programme was rendered, those contributing being Messrs. B. Bellringer, F. Goldsworthy, J. Lovell, H. Sweeney, W. Moulder, and SergeantMajor Sheppaixl. Accompaniments were played by Mr. N. B. Bellringer.