Two Providence riders were injured in spills during the weekly motorcycle races at the Lonsdale Sports Arena last night.
Walter Balchunas, 25, of 516 Broad Street, was the more seriously hurt, sustaining a back injury and a cut on the nose when he spilled on the ninth lap of the feature 12-lap race which was won by Woodsie Castonguay of Springfield.
Balchunas was being passed by Babe Tancrede of Woonsocket on a curve when he lost his balance and the two machines sideswiped. After Balchunas had fallen, the other cycle ran over him, spilling Tancrede.
The latter was unhurt, remounted and continued in the race.
The other injured rider was Berkeley Baron, 23, of 52 Lexington Avenue, whose cycle spilled on the second lap of the first qualifying heat. Both were taken to the Memorial Hospital, but Baron was released late last night. Balchunas is being held for medical observation.
First qualifying heat (six laps, 1 1/2 miles) – won by Joe Weatherly, Norfolk, VA; 2. Gill Whittaker, Cranston; 3. Bill Hancock, East Greenwich. Time – 2:32:9.
Second qualifying heat (six laps) – won by Frank Kawolis, Millbury, MA; 2. Louis Digbello, Warehouse Point, CT; 3. John Butterfield, Newport News, VA. Time – 2:35:3.
Third qualifying heat (six laps) – won by Woodsie Castonguay, Springfield; 2. Walter Balchunas, Providence; 3. John Taylor, Litchfield, CT. Time – 2:42:3.
Fourth qualifying heat (six laps) – won by Bob Baer, Springfield; 2. Pete Peterson, Springfield; 3. Babe Tancrede, Woonsocket. Time: 2:28:1.
First semi-final (8 laps, 2 miles) – won by Castonguay, Springfield; 2. Balchunas, Providence; 3. Kawolis. Time – 3:22:4.
Second semi-final (8 laps) – won by Peterson, Springfield; 2. Tancrede, Woonsocket; 3. Hancock, East Greenwich. Time – 3:22:6.
Final (12 laps, 3 miles) – won by Castonguay, Springfield; 2. Peterson, Springfield; 3. Kawolis, Millbury. Time – 5:35.
Sources: Providence Journal – Tuesday, June 22, 1948
