“In the Beginning”
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| Top of the Paekakariki Hill 1910 |
Motorcycles and motorcycle clubs in New Zealand have been around since the earliest days of the twentieth century . The first record of a two wheeled “Motor Bicycle” making an appearance was in 1901 in Christchurch , these were mainly bicycles with a universal motor bolted to a stronger frame .
By 1909 Motorcycles started becoming more complicated . With the mass of cables and levers needed to operate in unison it was difficult for many riders to master . Around this time “The Trade” had realised to prove their machines build quality competitions were needed and began sponsoring riders .
A number of clubs such as the New Zealand Motorcycle Club based in Wellington ran reliability trials , hill climbs , and other events in their respective areas of the country each with their own rules and guidelines . While there is some anecdotal evidence that there was early talk of a national union for motorcycles , the earliest found is 1911.
The “Evening Post” 20th July 1911 reported....
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| Manners Street Wellington 1911 |
The secretary/treasurer Mr *Cecil D Bridge spoke of a movement instituted chiefly by himself to form an Auto Cycle Union of New Zealand . He explained the advantages that would accrue through a national organisation with uniform rules and regulations for holding competitions.
He suggested many new riders would compete who at present regarded competitions as rather of the nature of an advertisement for the trade . Moreover the movement would lead to the establishment of affiliated clubs in such places as the Wairarapa , Marlborough and Nelson. It would tend to consolidate the interests of motorcyclists throughout New Zealand.
He received favorable responses and suggestions including the idea to to hold a conference of club secretaries and delegates in Christchurch to consider the proposal and name. Mr Bridge then suggested that the NZMCC change it's name to the Wellington Motorcycle Club which would be more indicative of where it was based.
In conclusion , Mr Bridge declared that members of the governing body should be strictly private owners .
A Mr Bender spoke about “The Trade” criticising the management of reliability trials. Mr Reynolds replied , pointing out that trade riders (Sponsored Riders) and that of private riders were mutually advantageous to one another . He mentioned that membership of the NZMCC was now eighty five and would soon reach one hundred members .
The value of trials and competitions was much appreciated by the makers of motorcycles , who were able to learn the good and bad points of their machines. The recent twenty four hour trial had been the hardest test for any motorcycle and rider to go through . He considered there was a great future indeed for the motorcycle and sport in the Dominion .
*The smoke night or smoke social was a predominantly a male only social evening in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century New Zealand and Australia .
Things looked promising , however before any union was formed there were still a few twist and turns in the road ahead to get through. As is the case with many ideas it takes a while to navigate the way through to a successful conclusion . The idea of a national union was no different.
Within two months of the original proposal , a meeting was held in September 1911 in Palmerston North with group of North Island clubs. After much discussion the majority of clubs opposed the idea of forming a national union due in part to the logistics of operating a nationwide organisation in those days of limited communications and roads , instead it was agreed to form a union of the North Island clubs (mainly Central North Island).
However it would take nearly another three years before the first NZACU -(North Island) conference was held to finally ratify rules and affiliate the clubs . In 1914 The conference took place in Palmerston North with seven clubs present . They were Napier , Hastings (Hawkes Bay), Dannevirke (Southern Hawkes Bay) , Manawatu , Auckland , Wellington (formerly New Zealand Motorcycle Club) , Upper Hutt and district . The NZACU-(North Island) was officially formed.
While the North Island clubs carried on with establishment of their union , the South Island clubs also were discussing the establishment of a union for the South. But while the separate unions were formed and regulating the sport in their own Islands, the idea of a “National” union still refused to go away.
Over the next two years talks were had between the two unions and clubs . Finally on April 22nd1916 the New Zealand Auto Cycle Union was formed officially , then a meeting held in June to draft up the first set of rules in Palmerston North .
August 16th 1916 saw the first ever NZACU conference held in Dannevirke .
The seed of a National Motorcycle Union that Cecil Bridge had planted in 1911 had after much discussion and in the middle of World War One finally germinated and bloomed , it had taken five years .
So began 100 years of governance for motorcycle sport in New Zealand.
It appears that *Cecil Bridge did see his idea become reality . He can rightly be credited as being the founding father of The New Zealand Auto Cycle Union Inc (Motorcycling New Zealand Inc).
*Cecil D Bridge (1880-1959)
Early Steps for the Union.
Very Early Days
After years of discussion 1916 finally saw the formation of the official New Zealand Auto Cycle Union.
The union was set up to govern the sport of motorcycling for all of New Zealand primarily in the regard to competitions , legislation , touring , roads , insurance , social activities and legal matters . Most of events that were run in these early days were either reliabilty trials , mile grass track , beach racing , hill climbs or social runs.
By 1918 the Auto Cycle Union conference had moved to Wellington . Representatives for Dannevirke , Palmerston North , Marton , Hawera , Napier , Christchurch amd Timaru clubs attended the conference. The President was at that time Mr A.S. Erskine having held the position for one year. The union's first President Gus Torstonson was once more elected to the position , while Mr A.S.Erskine(Napier) J Gray (Hawera) J Dawber (Hawera) , J McDougall (Marton) and A. Nash (Dannevirke) were elected as vice Presidents and executive members. Treasurer and Secretary was Mr J L Lloyd (Dannevirke) .
It was resolved at the conference
“That no more than two track riders sit at meetings of the union executive .”
“That entrance fees be paid of 1 shilling 3d on nomination and 2 shilling 3d on acceptance .”
“That all sidecar events be run in the opposite direction to ordinary races. “
“ A Scheme for a Rider's Benevolent Fund was approved .”
The 1919 conference was once again held in Wellington . Gus Torstonson was Chairman and President. Delegates attending were J.B. Merret , P.R.Harman , W.H.Benson (Pioneer Club Christchurch) . Mr Signal (Marton) , E.C. Gaisford (Riders Representative) , Mr Sutton and Davey (Poverty Bay) , Mr Spragg and Patterson (Hawera) , Mr Rush and Lloyd (Dannevirke) , Mr Shultz and Cox (Napier). There were no delegates from Opotiki , Cambridge or Timaru attending.
The 1919 conference was once again held in Wellington . Gus Torstonson was Chairman and President. Delegates attending were J.B. Merret , P.R.Harman , W.H.Benson (Pioneer Club Christchurch) . Mr Signal (Marton) , E.C. Gaisford (Riders Representative) , Mr Sutton and Davey (Poverty Bay) , Mr Spragg and Patterson (Hawera) , Mr Rush and Lloyd (Dannevirke) , Mr Shultz and Cox (Napier). There were no delegates from Opotiki , Cambridge or Timaru attending.
The election for union officials saw Gus Torstonson re-elected as President , Mr H.J. Lloyd as secretary and treasurer . Vice Presidents elected were Mr J.B. Merret , Mr J.H.Flight , Mr Gray ,Gaisford , Schultz and Nash.
It was reported than in the past season permits were granted for Dannevirke , Woodville , Ashhurst , Manawatu , Christchurch , Napier , Rangitikei and South Taranaki. The gross prize money exclusive of trophies was £574 ($53,000 in 2014 terms) around £71($6600 in 2014 terms) per permit issued .
A World grass track record was set by Mr Percy Coleman at Sockburn race course in Christchurch. The distance was 15 miles in a time of 13 mins 50secs . The New Zealand Heavyweight Championship was won by R. Crawley and the Middleweight by A. Boag .
The union started issuing race numbers to riders and fifty riders were registered.
Due to a few accidents during the year the Napier club suggested an accident fund be set up for injured riders.
It was proposed by Mr Giasford (Riders Representative) that riders be affiliated to the NZACU as a Riders Club (Association). It was decided to agree to the request.
The Chairman expressed pleasure at the satisfactory position of the union , and said that within two years it was hoped there would be clubs established from Auckland to the Bluff. The Benevolent fund he stated now stood at £80 ($7400 in 2014 Terms). The report and balance sheet were adopted.
Remits Adopted:
“ The handicapper shall have power to re-handicap any rider at any time.”
“That all riders ride in registered colours as well as numbers. ”
“ That a uniform lap scoring board be adopted throughout the country and that the said design be recorded in NZACU rule book.”
“That the NZACU obtain badges and issued to all officials and to be recognised by all clubs to enable all privileges at all race meetings .”
“That an annual salary be paid to the NZACU secretary ”
“ Mr Cox , Harman and Lloyd were elected trustees to the Benevolent Fund.”
There was some discussion on the question of appointment of a New Zealand Handicapper . On behalf of the riders Mr Gaisford said the men appointed by the clubs did not have the confidence of the riders , who wished that a Dominion handicapper be appointed. Mr Davey and Mr Benson supported the idea of the clubs having their own handicapper . Mr Benson had no objection to the union appointing a chief handicapper for the whole country. It was however decided until the time came when the union could afford to pay a handicapper for the whole country , clubs would appoint their own handicappers and starters , provided they were approved by the union.
New Zealand Champions
1916-17
Heavyweight Championship - Percy Coleman
1917-18
Lightweight Championship - Jim Dawber
Middleweight Championship- A . Boag
Heavyweight Championship - Roy Crawley
1918-19
Lightweight Championship – W . Davey
Middleweight Championship – Jim Dawber
Heavyweight Championship – Len Mangham
The 1920-1922
The first conference of the 1920s decade was held in Wellington on the 27th August 1920. President Gus Torstonson presided over eighteen delegates from various clubs around the country.
The secretary treasurer stated the annual report and balance sheet were not complete on account of the failure of some of the affiliated clubs to furnish their accounts and statements.
The Balance sheet submitted showed receipts amounting to £96 16s 10d , including a balance of cash in hand of £46 12s 4d from the previous year and an expenditure of £ 46 12s 8d showing a cash in hand at the end of the financial year of £50 4s 2d.
Several items in the balance sheet were discussed at some length , and the situation was criticised by delegates as not being satisfactory.
After prolonged discussion the report and balance sheet where adopted. The balance sheet of the New Zealand rider's benevolent fund was approved subject to provision that the balance should be invested by the trustees.
The President Gus Torstonson referred to the success of motorcycling and track racing , with which he had been connected since the inception. The success was proven by the large attendabce at track meetings . He consider that motorcycling was one of the best sports in the Dominion today.
The conference elected a new President Mr A.E. Davy (Gisborne) and new secretary /treasurer Mr M.C. Crighton (Hawera). Vice Presidents G Torstonson , J.D. Briasco and P Stainton were also elected.
The 1921 Conference was held in Palmerston North . Mr A.E. Davey presiding over a large attendance of delegates. In Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet , the President stated that during the past twelve months four new clubs had had been affiliated , namely , Gisborne , Nelson , Wanganui and Blenheim bring the total number of clubs to nineteen .
Permits for race meetings had been issued in the previous year to the Hamilton , Manawatu , Napier , Nelson , Gisborne , Wanganui , Wairarapa , Opotiki , Auckland , Rangitikei (2) , Dannevirke , Hawera , New Plymouth and Cambridge. Owing to the difficulty in securing tracks , some permits had not been used.
Prize Money offered during the year totalled £1625 ($138,344 in 2014 terms) exclusive of trophies , an advance on last year by £78 2s ($6,640 in 2014 terms ) .
Only two New Zealand championship contests were competed for during the year . Both the Heavyweight and Middleweight were won by Len Managh of Palmerston North.
The union's balance sheet showed a credit balance of £85 4s and 8d ($7100 in 2014) . The riders benevolent fund , upon which only three riders had made claims during the year had a credit balance of £316 10s 2d ($26,400 in 2014). The annual report and balance sheet were adopted.
Mr Davey was re-elected unopposed at President . Mr Crighton was re-elected Secretary . Mr Spragg was elected Treasurer. Benevolent fund trustees The secretary , The Treasurer and Mr Jolly.
Points of discussions and remits:
Mr Barley (Hawera) drew attention to the fact that if machines were classified it would greatly improve public interest in races. Under the system in vogue middleweight and lightweight machines had to battle against the heavier ones and trials were sometimes very uninteresting. The proposal to grade machines was as follows.
Class A: Machines capable of one mile in 62 seconds or better.
Class B : Machines capable of one mile in 72 seconds or better
Class C : Machines all cycles under the latter speed.
Other delegates thought that the time limits for the first two classes ,should be fixed at 66 and 75 seconds respectively , so as to permit a wider range of entries in the classes. On being put to the vote the motion was carried , but it was finally resolved to recommend clubs to institute trial tests under classification before the union laid down a rule on the subject.
The Hawera Motorcycle Club proposed that all applications for permits to hold race meetings be submitted to a committee of three with the power to grant permits. Such committee to be appointed at each conference. The president , secretary and treasurer were appointed.
The Hawera Motorcycle Club proposed that when starting races competitors be lined up in file in order of handicap instead of across the course . It was pointed out that the present practice of lining out across the course was dangerous on account of the fact that the track was often lined with the low handicap men when the limit men were completing their first laps. It was eventually decided to leave the matter to the control of the clubs with a recommendation from the ACU to adopt the suggestion in the remit for the coming season .
The Auckland Provincial Club proposed that the rule that riders should pay a nomination entrance fees for all events prior to starting them , under pain placed on the forfeit list , should be enforced. After a great deal of discussion Mr Gaisford moved as an amendment that nomination fees be payable before each race, He pointed out that if a rider met with a breakdown in his machine in ealier races he should not be penalised for the remainder. The amendment was lost . Two more amendments were put and it was eventaully decided to leave the matter of the discretion of the clubs.
The 1922 annual conference was held in Palmesrton North . Mr Davy was re-elected President . Mr Way (Rangitikei) was elected Secretary and Mr Fouler(Rangitikei) was elected Treasurer. Vice presidents elected were Messrs Tortonson (Manawatu) , Smith (Hamilton), Townsley (New Plymouth).
No other details were available for 1922 conference.
Researched and Written for Motorcycling New Zealand Inc by Ian Dawson March 2015.
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