24-9-72 Crunch A SPLIT-SECOND RE- SPONSE by an amateur photographer, Mr C. J. Simpson, of Lyttelton, resulted in this unusual news picture of a motor-cyclist crashing into oil drums at Wigram on Saturday. the other picture, taken by Mr Simpson a few seconds later, officials and first-aid officers attend to the in- Jured rider, B. J. Allingham, of Christchurch, behind the barrier. The mishap occurred during the last event of the day-the open motor-cycle race when Allingham ploughed into the drums on the approach to the loop bend. Allingham was treated at Christchurch Hospital for minor injuries and later discharged. Motor-cyelists hurt Three racing motor-cyclists during the first practice lap. were taken to hospital by am- He hit the artificial kerbing bulance after crashing on the on the side of the track and Wigram circuit on Saturday, was hurled into a row of 44and three other persons also gallon drums half filled with suffered injuries in motor- water. He was taken to hoscycle accidents. ¡pital with suspected chest The racing motor-cyclists and back injuries, but was taken to hospital are D. L. treated and discharged. Raymond, M. Sinclair, and • Sinclair, aged 19, aiso Allingham, all of crashed during the opening Christchurch. ; practice lap. He was flung Raymond lost control of from his 500 c.c. Suzuki at his 250 c.c. Suzuki at the en the end of the back straight trance to the front straight! and slid along the track on his front. He was admitted to hospital suffering from facial injuries and concussion. His condition last evening was satisfactory. Allingham hit 44-gallon drums when he fell at the loop during the 500 c.c. and open New Zealand airfield championship race. He suffered lacerations to the hands and body. His mount was a 499 c.c. Norton. After Raymond's accident, representatives of the New Zealand Auto Cycle Union insisted that hay bales placed behind the artificial kerbing on the side of the track. Soon afterwards, during the first race, a Christchurch rider, P. S. Clark, was unable to take the bend and crashed at high speed over the kerbing and through the straw bales, finishing against the drums. Had the bales not slowed him he might well! have been seriously injured. injured at Wigram was a non-competitor, Michael John Harris, aged 14, of 83 Neill Street, Hornby. He was on a motor-cycle going to collect some parts when waist-high across an caught nexit to the circuit. handlebars the machine. Harris admitted to Christchurch Hospital with a ruptured spleen. He was operated on on Saturday and, his condition yesterday was reported to be fairly satisfac- Aiso on the motor-cycle was Barry Wylie, of 21 Hillary Crescent, Upper Riccarwas treated Christchurch Hospital abrasions and discharged A spectator who rode his! I motor-cycle round part of the and officials had left. control at one of the corners. He is John Gavin, aged 19,l of Church Street. Timaru. Mr Gavin was admitted to! Christchurch Hospital with • ted last evening to be con-i head injuries. He was epor- • scious at intervals.