7-5-57 7-5-57 7-5-57 MOTOR RACING AT SOUTHBRIDGE Ellesmere County Council Approves A proposal by the Motor Racing Club, Christchurch, to establish a large scale annual road race meeting at Southbridge was given further support when the Ellesmere County Council unanimously approved of the scnere when it met a deputation from the club. The scheme had previously been approved by the Southbridge Town Board, subject to approval also being obtained from the Ellesmere County Council, upon part of whose area the motor racing circuit will exi tend. The circuit of about four and a quarter miles will be the fastest and most up-to-date motor road racing circuit in New Zealand. It is expected to attract top drivers from throughout the Dominion. : The secretary of the Motor Racing Club, Mr J. A. Brewer, said that while the club was most enposal had so far received, would be necessary yet to obtain approval from the Transport Department. The club was making all possible haste with preparations to have the first meeting held on June 3. The main event will be a 100mile road race, which is expected to become the major road racing event In New Zealand because of the speed and high suitability of the circuit for fast, skilful driving. Motor Racing QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEN FUNCTION DEPUTATION TO COUNTY COUNCIL Neither party seemed to have any differences to be ironed out when a delegation of three officials of the Motor Racing Club (Inc.) Waited uponithe Ellesmere Couniy Council at meeting yesterday afternoon. The secretary of the club (Mr ¡J. A. Brewer) said his organisation had no problems on the adminisi trative side-the same team which promoted the annual races at Wigram would control the road event on the Southbridge course on June 3. A certain amount of preparation on the shingle roads was asked for and that work would be a charge against the races. His club, said Mr. Brewer, had the use of the equipment which oiled the roads for the Cust races to prevent rising of dust and had adequate supplies of oil available, together with the services of a person competent to advise on the nature of the grading required and the quantity of oil to be spread: His club could not visualise any damage to the roads but was pre pared to put ferward a cash bond, if the council required it, to cover cost of any damage should it occur. Although speeds were high in such road racing, said Mr Brewer, the weight of the vehicles was light. He added that the club was making arrangements for collecting points for admission charges withing the prescribed area and for controlled parking of sightseers' cars, and it would also take out adequate public risk insurance, and make full provision for public safety. In this respect the club was hopeful of co-operation of local residents and property occupiers. To a question by the county engineer (Mr P. Macfarlane) the club secretary said that every resident. on the circuit or near it would be individually approaches as to his likely requirements of use of the roads during the closed period, and where desirable he would be given a letter to pass him through the collecting points without charge. The principal road reformation requirement was a filling of the securing between the lines at the railway crossing, and the engineer undertook to arrange this with the Railway Department. In reply to a question by the chairman, Brewer said there would be no need for special banking of the rcads at 'the corners-the present condition would be cne of the natural hazards of the circuit. All competiters would have trial runs and would be thoroughly familiar with the course before racing on it; habitually most of them walked around such a new course to examine it thoroughly; and some of them even went to the extent of doing it without fcatwear. Anderson said he did not think it necessary, in the meantime. for the club to put up a cash bond. The club seemed an efficient organisation and he considered a gentlemen's agreement on the matter cf repair of road damage would be acceptable to the council. It was mentioned that any net proceeds would be divided equally between the Ellesmere County and Southbridge Town Councils. Last night the representatives of the Motor Racing Club (who were Messrs J. A. Brewer, J. O. Trevor and I. Daikee) waited on the Southbridge Town Council. They Iecapitulated the arrangements as expressed to the County Council and said they had nominated the day's event after the main race, which should henceforth be known as "The Southbridge Hundred." The delegates asked if they could get the assistance of a sub-committee in approaching residents affected by the "closed roads" area in regard to the letters of admission during the day. The Motor Racing Club, would like to hold the prizegiving in the evening at Southbridge, and suggested a local organisation might. be interested in promoting this event. On retirement of the delegation, it was agreed on a motion by Crs. D. H. Goulder and R. G. Allan that a dance should be organised for the night of the race meeting, the profits to be placed to the hall improvement fund account. CI. Jones undertook to inquire into the availability of dance bands for the oçcasion, and other details were made tentatively. It was agreed to assist the club in contacting - residents. likely to be affected by road closing on the day of the races, and also in arranging some other minor details of administration. 8-5-57 PERMISSION GIVEN FOR CAR RACING DERS for the Carstchurch. Motor Racing Club to hold a car and motor-cycle racing meeting on a 4.2-mile circuit that takes in Southbridge township has been granted by the local authorities in the area concerned. It was announced by the club to-day that it would hold a national meeting on the circuit on Queen's Birthday, Monday, June 3. Sponsor of the annual classic,! The motor-cycle races will the Lady Wigram Iropay, the probably feature such riders Motor Racing Club has been the as the world ranker,. Bod most ardent promotor of scratch Coleman, and the New Zeacar racing in this country since land Grand Prix winner, So its inception some years ago, Newbrook. but at soutnbridge the club will The club hopes to make the make a radical departure and Southbridge races an annual basis. run all its events on a handicap fixture. Net profit will go to the local In promoting the event authorities in the area. the club answering a number of its critics who claim that it caters only for top-flight overseas drivers in the Lady Wigram Trophy and gives little thought to local men. The Southbridge meeting will be open to New Zealand drivers only and using the handicapping system it is hoped that competitors will have chance of finishing up in the money. The club's hands have been tied to some extent, awaiting permission to go ahead with the race, but already interest throughout the Dominion indicates that the majority of New Zealand's best drivers will take part. Three Races There will be a twenty-five mile race for saloon cars, a forty-two miler for sports models and selected entry handicap of 100 miles. The latter will be the main event of the day and it is expected to attract such men as the Aucklanders, Tom Clark, Ron Roycroft and Ross Jensen. These men, who will most likely be driving Italian Ferraris, should lap the circut at better than 100 miles an hour thus making this the fastestrun race in the Dominion. In conjunction with the car races there will be two motorcycle events—a 34-miler for 350 c.c. machines and a 50 miler for 500s. 17-5-57 /ELLESSERE COUNTY COUNCIL CLOSURE OF ROADS TO ORDIN- ARY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC PURSUANT to the Transport (Vehicular Iraffic Road Closure) Regulations, 1949, notice is hereby given that for the purpose of holaing Motor Car Races the following roads will be closed to ordinary vehicular traffic for the period indicated hereunder:-Leeston-Southbridge Main Road from Hill's Road to Southbridge, Southbridge-Sedgemere Road from Southbridge Clark's - Road, Cowan's Road from Bishop's Corner to Junction Road, and all roads leading on to the above roads for a distance cf one mile from their intersection therewith. During the period of closure the lollowing provision will be made for ordinary vehicular traffic which would otherwise use the roads:— Period of closure:-From 9_a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 3rd day of June,; 1957. Alternative provision for ordinary vehicular traffic:-Leeston-! Rakaia Road,. Willis Road, Adams's Road. - It will be an offence under the above regulations for any person otherwise than under authority эf an authorised permit to use the roads for ordinary vehicular traffic during the period of closure. P. MACFARLANE, County Engineer. Leeston.