MOTOR-CYCLING RECORDS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28019, 13 July 1956, Page 14

MOTOR-CYCLING RECORDS

ATTEMPTS ON WORLD SPEED FIGURES

BURNS AND WRIGHT TO LEAVE FOR U.S.

Few New Zealanders have ever had the urge or the ability to attempt to break world records in any form of motorised sport, but together in Christchurch last evening were two such men—R. Burns, of Christchurch, and Russell Wright, of Invercargill. This evening the two motor-cyclists will leave Christchurch on the first stage of their 7000-mile journey to Utah Salt Flats, where they will attempt to set world side-car and solo speed records. Ever since Burns and Wright estab; lished world records on the Tram road at Ohoka a little more than a year ago, they have been aiming at world record attempts in the United States. Although Wright is still the holder of the world’s solo motor-cycle speed record at 185.15 miles an hour, Burns’s record of 163.06 miles an hour, established at Ohoka, has since been beaten by Wilhelm Noll, of Germany. A German N.S.U. factory team will also make attempts on all the world’s major motor-cycling speed records in the United States next month, but it is likely that Burns and Wright will make their attempts first. The Germans are taking all their own equipment necessary for the attempts, with almost unlimited financial resources. Under the terms of their sponsorship by a large oil company, Burns and Wrignt were asked to be in the United States early in August. Burns believes this stipulation has been made so that their attempts can be made before the Germans’.

Special Modifications The machines which Burns and Wright will use in making the attempts have been specially modified by Burns in a small garage behind his home. The work has taken more than a year. With the special all-enclosed shell for the machines and costly car burettors, pistons, and clutch gear, the New Zealanders’ equipment is valued at several thousand pounds. The machines are already .in the North Island crated for shipment to the United States. With perfect conditions on the salt flats, the two machines will have a theoretical maximum speed of 218 miles an hour solo and 196 miles an hour with the side-car. Nitro-methane fuel mixed with high octane petrol will be used. Extra precautions will be taken in the handling of the highlyinflammable fuel. Only 20 per cent, of nitro-metnane will be used for the attempts, as with a larger percentage, pistons are liable to melt. If that occurred at high speed’, the driving wheel would lock.

On Wednesday evening, an informal farewell function was tendered Burns, and the Burns-Wright Appeal Fund closed with more than £l2OO subscribed from clubs and individuals in all parts of New Zealand and even England. “The response to the appeal has been excellent, and with Burns and Wright go our very best wishes for success,” said the chairman of the Burns-Wright Appeal Committee (Mr G. W. Oliver) yesterday. "We feel sure they will acquit themselves well, and we have high hopes they will bring back at least one world motorcycling speed record.” Burns and Wright will be bidden farewell by Christchurch motorcyclists and friends at the Christchurch railway station shortly after 7 p.m. today.