ECONOMY RUN FOR CARS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28399, 4 October 1957, Page 8

ECONOMY RUN FOR CARS

Christchurch Men

To Compete

Three Christchurch men are among the 30 entrants in a £5OO ‘car economy run which will start 'from Auckland on October 31 anti I finish at Hastings three days later iThe event is being sponsored by the Standard Vacuum . Oil Comipany. which has emphasised that lit js a test of petrol consumption, and not a race or a reliability trial.

There were more than 200 entries for the ballot to select the 30 starters. The three Christchurch men taking part are Messrs E. Caldwell, A. R. Webb, and W. P. Harper, 'who will have as co-drivers Messrs R. J. Richardson, J. C. Cockram, and G. Wingham respectively. The route for the event will be down the west coast of the North Island to Wellington, and up the east coast through Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay. On the 700-mile journey, the cars will travel through restricted areas, for which they will be allowed a total of five hours’ driving time. Ninety per cent of the popular models of cars available in New Zealand will be represented in the event. Light, medium and heavy cars are required to average 32.5, 35, and 37 miles an hour respectively. To provide a basis on which heavier cars may compete on equal terms with lighter models, the ton-mile-per-gallon formula will be used. The total weight of the car and occupants will be multiplied by the miles travelled and divided by the exact quantity, of petrol consumed. The car with the highest ton-' miles-per-gallon will win the £5OO “sweepstake” prize.