LAND SPEED RECORD

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30155, 12 June 1963, Page 21

LAND SPEED RECORD

“Efforts Not Abandoned”

(N.Z. Press Association)

PALMERSTON N., June 11. Although the attempt to break the land-speed record at Lake Eyre, Australia, did not take place because of the deterioration in the salt bed of the lake, Donald Campbell and his team had not abandoned further efforts, said Mr K. W. Norris, chief designer of the Bluebird, in, Feilding yesterday. "Campbell set out to break the record in Australia and every member of the team was confident that, had the lake been dry, he would have been successful. “Bluebird did not let the team down, and showed all the signs of achieving record speeds given the right conditions,” said Mr Norris. Mr Norris said alternative sites in Australia were being investigated for another attempt, and an expedition was looking at suitable locations on the Nullobar plains. If none proved satisfactory. Campbell might then make an attempt in the next few months on his present waterspeed record. . Mr Norris said it would be some time before another attempt could be made on Lake Eyre because of the wet conditions.

Lake Disappointment, a dry lake in Central Australia, was also said to be a suitable site, but it was inaccessible by road.