CHERRY FAYRE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 99, 29 April 1935, Page 15

CHERRY FAYRE

By LESLIE CARGILL.

CHAPTER XIX. The Test of the Track. Three-quarters of an hour to go. George splashed under a cold shower, feeling as hard as nails. After a drink of hot beef extract and a sandwich ho made his way to the pits. Only a few interested people remained in the public quarters—thorough-going enthusiasts who hated to tear themselves away. For the rest of the week there would be comings and goings, sometimes packed crowds during the days and early evenings, often a mere handful. Towards the end of the race it might be difficult to accommodate all who wanted to bo in at the most thrilling part.

Roaring engines driven flat out marked the progress of most of the Hashing streaks sometimes in full view, sometimes a mere suggestion in the distance. Among the rest flitted the

"Euro" and "The Miracle"—mere whispers in the wind.

Suddenly the signal was given. The Melhuist-Dallas slowed down, snaked towards the waiting group, and a hoarse voice rang out, "All 0.K." "Told her for relief driver." George ran out, jumped lightly on the slim running board and swung himself over the side. Almost reluctantly the other man surrendered the wheel. "Beautiful going," he murmured. "Tired ?" "A little, though this 'bus is such a pleasure to handle you could stay at it for hours."

Dallas laughed. "Well, you've had four of 'cm. Be satisfied for the time being." He had wriggled into the seat as the other cautiously made way, using the handthrottle to keep moving. It was rather a ticklish business though not exactly dangerous if dexterously undertaken, and they kept precious seconds in hand that would otherwise be sacrificed by stopping. Lynx-eyed officials kept them under observation, keen to see there was no infraction of the strictest letter of the rules. Finally the original driver hoisted a leg overboard, let himself hang loosely for a brief moment and then, with a parting "good-luck," was safely on the ground. Accelerating smoothly George hurtled into the thick of the fray. Four hours of glorious motion were before him. Bound and round, up and down, until the flush of dawn crept into the skv. After a while he hardly bothered to drive, It was merely a matter of keeping his foot down, his eyes to the front, and a steady hand. At intervals he swung gracefully past one or other of the competitors. More rarely he came abreast of the "Euro"—leaving that surely behind. By this time it was clear enough that the imitation lacked the quality of the real tiling. Unless something unforeseen occurred the race was theirs.

Fierce Pleasure. Was it wise to feel so secure at such an earlv stage ? He tried to control his fierce pleasure. Only fools took things for granted. What was that? In front of him loomed the "Enr'o," zig-zagging dangerously. Such behaviour might be the result of steering difficulties, a mechanical fault, or the tiredness of the man in control. Or it could be a deliberate attempt to balk him.

At the next corner he had proof of the intent. There came a harsh braking, a wrench at the wheel and the continental car plunged wildly into a sideways skid. Only cool courage averted disaster to the oncoming British driver. George acted like lightning, skidding deliberately himself but away from the apparently uncontrollable foreigner. Then he was eloar, in front, and straightening up dexterously. Stealing a glance behind he saw that his opponent had also got out of trouble and was once more on a normal course.

So that was it? They must beware of a last resort to imsporting tactics. All the drivers would have to be warned. Perhaps ho should report the facts to the authorities. No, that would rob the race of its efficacy, for they would probably insist on the "Euro" withdrawing under disqualification. Or his story might be disbelieved. Accidents often happened. With set jaws he continued, every sense alert for further attempts at foul play. Almost before he realised it. time was up. They,were signalling him to pull in. A glance at the large-figured clock on the dashboard showed a minute to seven o'clock. It was a dry morning hut dull. All at once he felt cold and tired.

Mclnnes was waiting to take his place, hut this time they could not carry straight on. Petrol was running low and the radiator needed refilling, according to the gauges. With .clockwork efficiency the replenishments were completed. George passed on a brief account of his adventure and suspicions. The timekeepers checked off eleven seconds for the stop, and then the wonder car was again on the move. Mclliuish came bustling _ forward. "Unbelievable!" he was muttering. "Got 'em on the run. We're laps ahead. Ihe 'Euro' hasn't ail earthly chance."

"Unless they wreck 'The Miracle.'" "What do you mean?" George told him. "An accident of any kind would make all the difference," lie added. "So don't start shouting until we're well out' of the wood." "What a wet blanket you arc at times',' Melhuish chided. "Take a glance at the newspapers if you want cheering up." They hod plenty of pleasant things to say. For the next few days the descriptive writers almost exhausted the stock of superlatives in the English language. Abroad progress was being followed almost ns keenly. For those taking part the monotony, after the initial thrills, was a wearing quality. Tricks resorted to by the opposition was almost welcome as providing spice to vary the constant circling of the wearying track. On the fifth day late in the evening "The Miracle" ran a main bearing. A fault in the oiling system which would have been noticed had there been less rush, was responsible. Chappell was driving at the time —a first-class man who knew at once what had happened. That avoided a lengthy diagnosis. Ordinarily the task of completely dismantling an engine would have presented enormous difficulties during the progress of t''e race. Foresight on the part of the Melhuish technicians had made provisions for almost every conceivable eventuality. Once again there was a race ajroinst time, with the "Euro slowly overhauling the record already set up. Despite the lead a loss of nearly iioOO marks was a serious proposition. Three hours to the good was a rcspectutilp windfall for the real rival, although it hardly affected the. position of the i ' her remaining competitors.

Tfliey let George sleep through it, which was a kindness. When the news was broken he was almost distraught. "Can we pull it up?" he demanded.

"I think so," conceded Melliuish. "After checking the performance of the 'Euro,' I find their stops for petrol, tyre changing and reliefs are considerable. Unfortunately only the check takers have the proper figures. We ought to cross the line ahead which is worth a hundred. But don't forget the conditions aro peculiar. No credit is given for lap overhauls, except in a o far as they affect the actual win."

"Then we've got to make sure of those additional hundred marks."

Cherry's Surprise. Excitement was intense during the concluding stages. The eighth day was fine and sunny. Early in the morning the "Euro" began to run badly. "Steerin' gone to li was the opinion of McFergis, "and general strain 011 the transmission. I know those symptoms. Due, if you ask me, to the way they've been swinging the old tub about to put us off the mark. I liae an idea others beside ourselves have cottoned on to it, though they're givin' 'em plenty o' rope."

"I hope they'll not l>e disqualified,'' Georgo remarked. "We'll get more kudos out of a straight win. Look! what's up now?"

The v"Euro" had stopped at tlie pits find assistants were busy making adjustments. McFergis had his eyes 011 itlio stop-watch. It had registered a dead loss of 18l»4 seconds before the repairs were completed. "That clinches it," he announced. "Our superior organisation lias been justified. Yon laddios stopped every time they took a fresh driver aboard for the whole of three days. Six tyro changes and long-winded business for fresh gas, oil and water sees us through. Are yc ready to take the final turn?"

"I'm on my toes," George announced gleefully. This was much better than a mere walk-over. Thrills such as these were intoxicating. Tlii3 was a great gamble. Forgetful of the fateful consequences hanging on the result he was only concerned for the breathless glory of pitting himself and the child of his brain against worth-while opposition. "Who's coming in? Which man do I relieve?" lie asked, trying to control his rising spirits.

McFergis did not answer. He was watching the rushing dot that was grow-' ing nearer and nearer, taking shape from an almost nebulous smear. "1 don't recognise him," George went on, a puzzled look coming into his eyes. "Seems to be a mere boy. so far as I can seo from here. Gibson ought to be on—but it isn't . . ■" "Nay, laddie. Gibson cracked yesterday. Ye'd hae known that had ye been awake at the time. Yon's a new driver altogether."

George was taking the concluding spell as a special honour so lie had not previously taken over from the stranger. Ha could, however, admire the way "The Miracle" was being handled. Easily and gracefully it seemed to float towards him, creeping closer and closer to the place where ho was to leap aboard according to the routine which had almost become second nature.

! All the stall technicians, the mechanics, Melliuish, and a few special friends had gathered to bid liim God speed. They raised a brisk hurrah as he dashed forward. Not until he was in the passenger's seat, ready to move over to the controls, did he Laconic aware of a familiar personality In the slim figure beside him, now recognisable in spite of the thick leather suit and disfiguring goggles. "Cherry!" lie gasped in amazement. "Glad to see you, George. Isn't this perfectly marvellous ?" ! "Never mind about that. What in the name of all that's wonderful are you doing here?"

She was staring straight ahead, intent on keeping the speeding car on the track. But George was glaring at her in consternation. He saw a slow smile twitch the corners of her mouth. "I'm driving a car—the car—in the Eight Day Race," she answered demurely. (To be continued daily.)