MOTOR v. MOTOR CYCLE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 247, 21 November 1914, Page 11

MOTOR v. MOTOR CYCLE.

THE SPEEE CONTESTS.

THE CAR WINS,

One of the largest crowds ever seen on New Brighton beach thronged there this afternoon to witness the challenge i\x~ s between Scott and Son's Vauxhall p.cing car and E. F. Hind's 7 h.p. Indi o, i motor cycle. The North CanterIr'y 2 ' 'f.i' Cyclists' Civ. 1 ' al~ h^

l*-r~"s Open Handicap rac . tconjiiu.tion with this speed test, bus <*.\ T7as tl.e trial between mote" car an I motor cycle that attracted the big attendance. There were thousand 1 "' o r I pecp'e swarming on the b:c.cli at t j north end, and the officirlo, and a mour'- j ed policeman and ordina.y coiiotabi*.-. had an impossible tatk in endeavouring to keep them within the ropes stretching along the length of beach marked off as the course. Almost every scit of wheeled machine was to be seen, bicycles lying around in hundred:: everywhere, motor cycles in hundreds, and motors in scores. Th. Leach, fortunately, was in first-class condition, and the tide did not begin to come in until towards the end of the last race. Owing to the other events taking up so much time and attention, the Motor Cycle Club's 8-mile Novice Handicap," which it was intended to run, was postponed until January 23, when-the 48mile Handicap will also be run.

■ 28-MILE HANDICAP. The club's 28-mile Open Handicap was ruii off first, there being ten starters out of fourteen entries, tl e starters being:—E. Smith (2| h.p. Lev^', "W. Spinks (JU h.p. King Dick), rercy Smith (4-4 h.p. James), Alec Smith (41 h.p., twin, James), H. Jones (3£ h.p. Singer), G. Bonnington (4 h.p. Triumph), F. Haworth (3£ h.p. Triumph), P. V. Thomas (3* h.p. 8.5.A.), G. B. Brown (4 h.p. Triumph), and H. F. Williams (7 h.p. Indian). The race was got away smartly, and all riders showed considerable skill in negotiating the turns. The results were as follow:

Hdep. Time F. V. Thomas 3m 30sec 25m 37.1 sec Alec. Smith 7m Osec 29m 10,2 sec F. Haworth 7m Osec

THE SPEED TEST. The first content between Scott \ Vauxhall car ami Hind's Indian m v cycle was held over the mile distance. For this race no times were taken, but Hinds got away first, and held the car all the way, winning by about 75 yards. The second race was over ten miles, the course being a two-mile straight, requiring four turns. Hinds led coming back on the first lap, but over-ran the mark in turning round the finishin flag. His machine skidded, and iu seemed that one of his cylinders missed. At all events he lost a lot of ground in getting round, and had to get off and run his machine for a distance, and by this time the car had gained a lot, going at tremendous speed. Coming back en the second lap it was seen that the V.aixhall was well in the.lead, and the driver, Mr. Scott, jun., made no error in turning, coming around sharply and neatly, and again lengthening the distance between himself and his opponent, while Hind" again had some trouble 'u turning. Finishing on the last lap Sj •■< vas in the lead by about a mile, flte ; aes taken for the race are as folc ,v:—First two miles, linin 43 2-ssee; first six miles, smin 35 l-ssec; time for the total distance, 9min 29sec. Only the winner's time was taken. A six-mile race concluded the contest. From a flying start Scott got away first' and letting his machine out to its uttermost, came at terrific speed. He made the turn safely and without wastage, but Hinds again made a bad rn which gave Scott a lead of about 30 yards. Coming back on the final lap the Vauxhall shot past the mark like a meteor, about half a mile in the lead. The times for this race were:—First two miles, limn 52 2-osec; total distance, smih 40sec. The Challenge Contest was for a purse offered by Scott and Sons, forfeit being provided by the loser. The races were conducted under the control of the Automobile Association and the North Canter jry Motor Cyclists' Club, the OiJ-'ials '*&.-■».-—Starter, Mr R. P. M. Man 'ig; .Meek starter, Dr W. Hi Simpson; judge, Mr F. W. Johnston; timekeepers, Messrs B. Harding, 11. E. Kennett, and F. 3' tkur; ""feree, Mr Powell.