NEW RECORD SET

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20990, 18 December 1939, Page 4

NEW RECORD SET

HILL CLIMBING DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP ACHIEVEMENT BY HAMILTONIAN Daring riding, which provided thrills for a large crowd of spectators, was witnessed at Tauwhare yesterday when the New Zealand championship hill-climb was held under the auspices of the Hamilton Motor Cycle Club. Ideal conditions prevailed and the track up the 200-yard climb was hard and dry. The average grade on the hill is one in three, and brilliant riding, in which the competitors maintained splendid control of their machines, was the order of the day. The highlight of the day’s programme was the lowering of the record for the hill by A. Harp (Hamilton), who, in the final event, covered the distance two-fifths of a second faster than the record set up by H. Maxwell (Auckland) in 1928. Until yesterday Maxwell’s record had not been equalled, but in the opening event Harp went up the grade in 17 l-ssec., the time that had stood unmatched for 11 years, and Gordon Bell (Cambridge) achieved the same feat when he won the New Zealand championship event.

When he set out for his second ride in the final event, the Hamilton Handicap, Harp had a smooth run in the early stages, but when he was nearing the end of his journey the going became very rough for him and he undoubtedly lost an appreciable amount of time. In spite of this, however, he set the new record by clocking 16 4-ss. His ride was a splendid achievement and it is possible that, had the going been smoother in the closing stages, he would have set an even lower record.

The new champion, Gordon Bell (Cambridge) rode well throughout the day and gave a fine showing when he won the chief event of the programme. The championship cup and the accompanying ribbon were presented to Bell by Mrs P. Chitty. The Aero Club Cup, which was competed for in conjunction with the Hamilton Handicap, was presented to J. Murray (Ohinewai) by the patron of the club, Mr L. Sargent. Murray also received the medal for the best performance by a novice rider. The results of the day’s events were as follows: Tauwhare Handicap.—A. Harp, Hamilton (Is), 16 l-ss, 1; C. Keefe, Auckland (3s), 16 3-ss, 2; H. Batty, Auckland (2s), 16 4-ss. New Zealand Championship (all off scratch). —Gordon Bell, Cambridge), 17 l-ss, 1; A. Harp, Hamilton, 17 3-ss, 2; J. Waters, Hamilton, 18 3-ss, 3.

Hamilton Handicap and Aero Club Cup.—J. Murray, Ohinewai (2s), 15 21; G. Thompson, Ohinewai (2s), 15 3-ss, 2; A. Leach, Dargaville (4 3- 16s, 3.