NOTABLE YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 19

NOTABLE YEAR

SPEED AND DISTANCE SOME REMARKABLE RECORDS _ The year'W27 was a notable one for motering achievements, both in organised competition, record attempts, and endurance tests.. In the way of speed, the most phenomenal land records ever made have been accomplished by British, French, and American cars during the past twelve months ; some of the most eitensive endurance tests possible have been carried out, and other fine feats have been accomplished in races. The outstanding records of the year were, of course, made abroad—the first which stirred'the world being the feat of the British driver, Major Segrave, in exceeding 200 m.p.h. for the first time in the history of motoring: At the-other end.of the scale of records was the astounding achievement of the-Hon. Victor and Mrs. Bruce at Montlhery, Paris, whose record drive of 15,000 miles in 226} hours established one of the most remarkable automobile feats.yet. recorded. With the smaller, racing cars some very fine performances have also been recorded abroad, notably that of G. E. T. Eyston, who covered 115. miles 982 yards in an hour with a 1496 c.c. car at Brooklands. The brothers H. E. and Allan Clarke, of Sydney, driving a 14-40 h.p. car, created a new 24 hours track record at Maroubra Speedway, N.S.W., of 1479J miles. , Six .months later this, record was eclipsed by Messrs. W. Attwood and E Colliver with a 3581 c.c. car at Lake Perkolillij Wi; they covered 1607 miles in the 24 hours. Long distance road records in Australia were those from Darwi»to Melbourne (3465 miles), covered by Dr. Alan M'Kay and Barney Wood with a 2370 c.c. car in 6 days 3 hours 58 minutes, and Darwin to Adelaide (2091 miles) in 6 days 17 hours by the same motorists. Melbourne to Sydney (565 miles) was covered for the first time in less than 12 hours by Messrs. E. J. Buckley and L. Bartlett, of N.S.W., whose time was 11 hours 54 mm 30sec. H. J. Beith covered the same distance the opposite way in 11 hours 14min on 21st December. Frnmantle to Adelaide (1734 miles) was accomplished ;in -72 hours 42min by Messrs. H.. : Cliitterbuck and J. M. Thompson, Of Adelaide. ' The light car record from Sydney to Melbourne was broken by Drake Richmond, of Melbourne, in a 990 c.c. car. His time was 14 hours 47min. The greatest distance of all-M)692 miles-^was covered by Messrs. F. Woodward and B. Mayor, of Melbourne, who drove completely around Australia in 46 days, establishing the first timed record for a circuit of the continent. A long distance motor-cycle record was established just before the old year closed, Messrs. Norman Cunningham and E. Cracknel], with a 998 c.c. sidecar outfit, doing Perth to Sydney (about 2900 miles) in 6 days 2 hours 26 minutea. The Sydney-Melbourne run has since been done in 10 hours 01 minutes, inclusive of stops. This achievement is to the credit of Mr. E. J. Buckley, who hails from Cowra, N.S.W. He was accompanied by Mr. L, Bartlett. The car was checked at the Sydney 6.P.0. at 4 a.m., and by 2.51 p.m. tho same day was checked in at the G.P.0., Melbourne.