Thrills and spills at first motorbike meet

In January 1921, at a large and enthusiastic meeting, it was agreed for motor cyclists to form themselves into an association.  A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Allan, Hunter and Coote were appointed to enquire into the possibility of using Richmond Park for racing with a prospect of a race meet to be held in March.

Permission was granted to use the Park on the 12 March at no cost, provided that the Association accept all responsibility and repair for any damage done.  With the grounds secured and a date in place, Mr Allan donated a silver cup as a championship cup for a nine-mile open roadster race.  Four classes for racing were decided on, to be determined by cylinder capacity.

By the 9th, a large number of entries were received by the Nelson Motor Racing Club which necessitated some of the events being run in heats.  Multiple entries came from Blenheim, among them the prominent rider Woodman who had raced all over NZ and in Great Britain, and Mr Viggar.

The inaugural meeting exceeded the expectations of the officials with around 1000 people attending, having been assured they would witness some spectacular action.   Mr. A. Davies acted as the starter, Messrs G. Best and G. Hogg as judges, and Messrs N. Kerr and G. Shrimpton were timekeepers.

Racing began with a good field, but at the Open race both Viggar and Woodman were forced to withdraw due to engine problems which ruled them out for most of the meeting.

The championship silver cup donated by Allan was won by C. Newport by 300 yards from his nearest rival.

Three interesting races were the side car race won by W. Viggar on his Harley Davidson,  the old timers’ race was won by Mr Coote on his 7-9 Indian, and the obstacle race. The latter race provided some exciting moments when the machines, with side cars attached, had to zig-zag through petrol tins, turn round, and come back to the starting point.  In endeavouring to turn round Woodman’s machine turned a somersault, throwing both men clear. Without any hesitation, they got themselves up, righted their machine, and finished the race in great style, amid loud applause.  It is interesting to note that although Woodman had lost a leg at the war, it did not incapacitate him at all.

The last relay race between Nelson and Blenheim was abandoned with competitors’ machines breaking down.   The race meet was declared a complete success and both those participating and those watching went away completely satisfied with the day.

The following year the race meet took place in February with around 40 entries.

Such was the interest that it drew around 1500 spectators, most anticipating thrills and spills.  There was a good calibre of racer - Percy Coleman (known as the Cannon Ball), recently having returned from America and was the current holder of the world’s grass track, L Mangham holder of the New Zealand heavyweight record among them. Officials were congratulated on the running of the event and a predication was made that the Nelson meeting, in the future, would compare favourably with the best conducted races in the country.