Records Smashed

One race record was created twice in one night's motorbike racing at the Awapuni Speedway on February 16. New Zealander Gary Peterson clipped 0.2 secs off the existing race record of 59 secs (established when the British team was here last year), then, not too much later, current world champion Ole Olsen reduced it to 58.3 secs. A large crowd turned out to see the gathering of champions, which included Olsen, Peterson, Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs, Bryce Subritzky and Fred Timmo.

Pictured together in the pits are, from left, Ole Olsen (current world champ), Barry Briggs (four times world champ), and Ivan Mauger (three times world champ).

Behind The Scenes: Dick Jackson (clerk of the course), Harry Hessell (secretary) and Gerry Huberts (president) in the pits

Alec Fisher writes up the semaphore board

Keeping tabs on results – Mrs Hessell (assistant secretary), John Hume (treasurer) and Mrs Huberts

Race programmers Mr and Mrs Ted Hardy

The starter has just let go of the strong rubber belt. As soon as that disappears from the rider's vision, he is away. The belt travels so fast that no one gets any advantage. This is the start of the first race.

Gary Petersen, winner of five races and first race record breaker of the evening, looks back as he screams around the top of the home straight corner, leaving the field for dead in the sixth race.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 213 : March 22, 1972

Records Smashed