MOTOR-CYCLING.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20463, 5 February 1932, Page 4

MOTOR-CYCLING.

PIONEER SPORTS CLUB. FIXTURES. February 28th—Motor-cycle pillion and Light Car Social Trial. March • 12th—Championship Track meeting. NOTES. The motor-cycle liill-climbing competitions that were set down by the Pioneer Sports Club for to-morrow week have now been definitely postponed to a later date, owing to the extreme dryness of the vegetation on the hills, in consequence of which it is felt by the committee that the risk of a stray match being carelessly dropped by any of those present might have disastrous results. Rather than court such a possibility therefore, the committee very wisely decided to defer the competitions until the vegetation becomes less inflammable. The following sub-committee has been Bet up to select the course for the social trial for motor-cycle pillion and light cars to be held by tho Pioneer Sports Club on February 28th: Messrs T. B. McCleary, G. Henderson, A. D. Tench, E. J. Bradshaw,, G. D. Bobson, and W. K. Mulholland, who meet on Monday evening, when a definite announcement on the subject is expected. Although tho beach was very dead last Saturday some excellent racing was witnessed. In the Championship, Evans and Carpenter, who finished first and second respectively, averaged 70$ m.p.h., there being only three seconds between them in this event of 16 miles. Both riders improved their speeds in the 12 miles Open Handicap, the former averaging 72 and Carpenter 71, which was consistent with their handicaps. Tom McCleary, despite his stiffness as a result of his fall recently, averaged 69$ m.p.h., Geof. Hockley's average speed in the Championship was 05$, the nest best being that of A. E. Ilall (Timaru), his speed averaging 64 tn.p.h. Then came Campbell Gread, of tho Bays, with an average in the Open Handicap of 63 m.p.h.

In tho Light Car first race E. J. Tench was handicapped to do 59, but actually did .58, whilst A. D. Tench was handicapped to 555, and did 545. In the second race Christie won, averaging 00$, and Reg. Poore, handicapped to do 48. did 475, from which it will be seen handicappers Sprosen and Murly had their speed capabilities well in hand. A motor-cycle club has recently been formed at Kaikoura, -with Mr Harry Hayward as president, Mr C. Reeves hon. secretary, and a committee of "liva wires." Already a sporting trial has been successfully held. At a meeting of the committee of the Pioneer Sports Club last Monday evening, it was decided to extend the Club's greetings and best wishes to the sister Club.

The New Zealand Auto-Cycle Union has been invited to send two riders from the Dominion to represent New Zealand in tho Tourist Trophy races at the Isle of Man in June of this year, on approximately the same terms as last year. Riders who -wish to have their claims for tho honour considered should forthwith get into touch -with the secretary of tho Union at Marton. Nominations are to be lodged with the Union secretary by Wednesday next and the selection of the Union will bo announced within a fortnight from that date. Entries for the track meeting to be held at Nelson on February 20th, for which an exceedingly liberal programme has been provided, close on February 14th. Ted Bradshaw, who struck a bad patch on the beach when competing at the Pioneer Sports meeting last Saturday, and was thrown, necessitating his removal to hospital for treatment, has made good progress, and expects to leave to-day. Judged by the number of enquiries that are reaching the Pioneer Sports Club concerning its Championship track meeting to be held on the New Brighton Trotting grounds on March 12th, good entries seem to be well assured. The chief event will be the New Zealand Open Championship, of 12 miles, Sot which there are likely to be manyclaimants from the North Island. Entries for this meeting close, on March 2nd. Under a Bill introduced in Bengal at is proposed 'hat the annual tax on motor-cycles weighing not more than 2001b shall be 15 rupees (about 22s 6d), and 30 rupees (455) if over 2001b, plus 10 (15s) rupees for a sidecar. There were 3089 British motor-eyles in use in Ceylon, at the end of September, out of a total of 3455 licenses current at that date. The Automobile Club of Belgium proposes to hold, in 1933, a motor trial from Brussels to the Belgian Congo. TO STOP MOTOR BANDITS.

USE OF LIGHT WIRE. Developed primarily for Army uso Great Britain has found an effective road barrier for stopping fieoing motor bandits in nothing more substantial than a roll of light wire. The wire coils, about four feet .in diameter, weighing less than fifty pounds, and stretching about sixty feet, were found to block roads so swiftly that armoured cars and trucks were stopped dead in their tracks.

The roll of wire is known as a "fence concertina,'' and is stretched across the road at a point where it is desired to stop a car. The secret of its efficiency lies in its ability to tangle. When a car runs through it, the coil stretches and then breaks, the loose strands twisting about the wheels, winding into the steering gear, working into brake drums and around axles, and usually finishing the job by completely jamming the engine. WORLD LEADERSHIP. No more convincing testimony to the efficiency of British workmanship could be found than the fact that Great Britain is now the holder of the world's speed records for aeroplanes, motorcars, motor-cycles, motor-boats, and railway trains—a series of achievements to which Morris Motors, Ltd., itself the largest all-British motor manufacturing concern, is proud to call attention. The actual record figures are as follows: — M.P.H. Aeroplanes (Flight-Lieut. G. H. Stainfotth) .. .. 407.5 Motor-carß (Captain. Sir Malcolm Campbell) .. 246.09 Motor-cycles (M. J g. Wright) .. 150.7 Motor-boats (Mr Kaye Don) .. 110 Railway trains (Great Western Railway) .. .. 79.23

It was stated at the annual meeting of the British Road Tar Association that if the cost of road maintenance could be reduced by one penny p®* 1 yard super per year, the yearly saving of taxpayers and ratepayers would bo some £10,000,000.