Many Cars Out Of Tough Trial

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27750, 30 August 1955, Page 11

Many Cars Out Of Tough Trial

(Rec. 11.30 p.m.) DARWIN. August 29. The cars still in the AroundAustralia reliability trial began leaving Darwin this evening to make the tough run across the Northern Territory into Western Australia and the long haul down the coast to Perth. Of the 176 cars which left Sydney a week ago, less than 100 are competing now. Most of the others are cither

battered wrecks or are limping their way back to civilisation on outback roads.

The cars which are still in the trial will cover one of the toughest sections of the route when they cross the Northern Territory into Western Australia. Many are expected to be hopelessly bogged tomorrow in the notorious “dust bowl” between Katherine and Wave Hill. Last year 28 cars were bogged in the dust at the same time. Officials and drivers believe that less than 60 cars will reach Sydney at the end of the trial.

Only a handful of cars have no body damage and some are in very bad shape. A Melbourne journalist. Laurie Whitehead, in a Volkswagen, still leads the field with the loss of 16 points. Six cars have lost 35 points or less and it seems as though the trial is now a struggle amongst these.

Fireworks Factory Explodes.—An explosion in an unlicensed fireworks factory today killed nine persons and injured 20 others. The factory and two adjoining houses were demolished. —Mexico City, August 28.