MOTOR-CYCLING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21939, 13 November 1936, Page 6

MOTOR-CYCLING

CORSAIR MOTOR CLUB The Summit Road Tourist TropJjy race will not now be held by the Corsair Motor Club. The committee has decided to abandon the idea—reluctantly, since arrangements for it were almost completed. However, it was considered dangerous, until such time as the Rapaki track was in a condition to make the race safe for all classes of motor-cycle. A fair number of entries had been received for the event. Instead, the club is to hold a sports meeting at Southbridge domain. CANTERBURY AUTOCYCLE CLUB An excellent programme has been arranged for the Canterbury AutoCycle Club’s beach races. In the events are the 250 c.c. and 350 c.c. Canterbury championships, a four mile novice race for those who have not before won a race at New Brighton, and also eight and 12-mile races. All races but the championship events will be handicapped. On November 29 the club will hold a full-day meeting on the new miniature Tourist Trophy course on Mr Ashworth’s property, Marshman’s road, Sefton. A fairly fast course, with all the intricacies and conditions of a road course, has been planned. . NERVOUS MOTORISTS A belief that the propaganda surrounding road safety has brought about a number of bad driving habits is held by the motoring correspondent of the “Morning Post.” Nervousness, he thinks, has caused undue speedometer watching and mirror watching. Among a large section of the motoring public, he says, uncertainty has been created. Large numbers of motorists who had had clean driving records for many years had been brought before the courts, he observes. He says, too, that

many motorists believe that if the police were to abandon bringing motorists before the courts for technical offences, and to concern themselves solely with offences which had some bearing on road safely, the road accident figure would diminish. CLUTCH SLIPPING Most drivers of cars equipped with four speeds make a habit of omitting first gear, and starling away from rest in second, unless the car is facing a steep upgrade. While there is rarely any manifestation of strain on the clutch when starting in this manner - ., actually there is a considerable amount, the smooth action of modern, clutches generally concealing it very effectively. Later on, however-, the clutch will show signs of excessive wear by starting to slip. Drivers who make a practice of starting in second gear should remember that it is this practice which throws the excessive wear on the clutch and causes early trouble. It is unfair to blame the car manufacturer, as so frequently is done. It is far better to start in first gear, just getting the car moving, and then whipping the lever straight back into second gear. Little extra trouble is involved, and the clutch will appreciate the consideration shown to it in this manner. On a slight down grade, of course, it is permissible to start with the lever in second gear position, but the car should be allowed to roll forward a few yards before engaging the clutch.