Motorcycles Added Thrills To Beach Car Racing

For the thousands of spectators who gathered to watch the annual beach car racing at Tahunanui's Back Beach, the car events were the main attraction. But the keen, and often exciting, motorcycle races held between car events added a thrill-a-second extra as the riders scorched around the tight circuit. The main car race on the programme, the New Zealand championship, was won by Peter Leversedge (Christchurch) in the 4.6 litre Wynn Special. Last year's winner, Rod McElrea, did not start but had a hand in preparing his Elmac Sprinter, which was driven by third place-getter Trevor Crowe. Second in the race was Stewart Quertier of Gore in the 4687c.c. Stuart Ford.

Top motorcyclist at the meeting, and one who is ever popular with spectators, Bob Uddstrom, on a 650c.c. Triumph Special, leads another competitor out of the eastern bend

John Penny (Christchurch) seems to be trailed by a riderless bike. This shot was taken a split second after Shane Holland (Christchurch) had fallen off.

Sand and grit sprays as Alan Donoghue (Christchurch) bites the dust. He was unhurt

Top Nelson driver was John Wells, in his excellently prepared Farina Ford. He won the Nelson provincial championship and was a strong contender in every race he entered

John Wells relaxes before the next race

Peter Leversedge leads the field on his way to another New Zealand championship in his 4.6 litre Wynn Special. At the left is runner-up Stewart Quertier, in the 4687c. c. Stuart Ford

J. Armstrong (Dunedin) in the 2260c.c. BCM Special

Gary Reid (Christchurch), Graham Sword (Christchurch), Ken Keenan (Motueka) and an unidentified rider negotiate the eastern bend

Nelson's Robin Black pours on the pace on his Suzuki

Baldy Bateman (Nelson) competing in one of the saloon events in his Anglia

Another Nelson competitor, Wayne Heine in a Cooper S, hurtles down the back straight

Trevor Crowe (Christchurch) gained third place in the main race in the Elmac Sprinter

Ken Keenan (Motueka) has a break between motorcycle events

Ron Goodmanson (Christchurch) in a Hillman Husky leads L. Wilson (Nelson) in an Anglia, and another competitor, down the back straight

Previous article Issue contents Next article

The Nelson Photo News

No 135 : February 5, 1972

Motorcycles Added Thrills To Beach Car Racing