MOTOR-CYCLING RECORD

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27989, 8 June 1956, Page 6

MOTOR-CYCLING RECORD

U.S. Attempt By Burns And Wright NEW TIMING EQUIPMENT PREPARED

The United States Auto Club has procured new equipment for timing .•ecord attempts on the Utah Salt Flats, according to information received from America by the champion New Zealand motor-cyclists, R. Burns and Rus'ell Wright, who will attempt to exceed 200 miles an hour on the Utah Salt Flats in August. The club has applied for recognition from the Federation Internaionale Motorcycliste and the Federition Internationale Automobile, and f this is granted, the final difficulty will have been overcome by Burns md Wright. The equipment is said to be the most modern in America, and has a degree of accuracy far in excess of ?.I.A. or F.I.M. standards. Accuracy s better than one thousandth of a econd. In addition, there is a mahine which puts the time on a tape, nd makes it available to officials one econd and a half after a motor-cycle lad passed the end of the timed section. Ten new pairs »of light rays specially designed to offset the excessive light on the salt flats are available, and 40 miles of timing and telephone wire of the type necessary to overcome the intense electric static conditions produced by the salt has been manufactured. Twelve sets of telephones, a central switchboard, and two generator sets to provide power are needed for the elaborate timing system. Burns and Wright will be able to make use of' this equipment if it and the United States officials are granted the F.I.A. and F.I.M. sanction. U.S. Record Possible If sanction is not granted, Burns and Wright would be able to establish an American national record, but not a world one. At present, there appears no reason for the F.I.M. and F.I.A. to refuse the United States Auto Club’s permission for recognition. A. H. (Bert) Munro, New Zealand’s best-known rider of home-tuned motor-cycles, will also travel to the United States with Burns and Wright, but he will do so at his own expense. Munro has achieved Australian and New Zealand fame for his tuning, of a 1926 Indian Scout so that it can attain a speed of 136 miles an hour. A motor-cycle scramble in aid of funds for the Burns-Wright appeal will be held at Harewood on June 17.