“WIZARD" SMITH

Evening Star, Issue 21091, 2 May 1932, Page 11

“WIZARD " SMITH

ATTEMPT ON FIVE-MILE RECORD POSTPONED ENTERPRISE CATCHES FIRE [Pee United Pubes Association.} KAITAIA, May J. “ Wizard ” Smith met with another set-back to-day, causing him to abandon further attempts until next year. While actually attacking the five-mile record tho Enterprise caught fire, and forced Mr Smith to abandon the attempt. He announced that he would leave for Sydney shortly, and would return nest summer. Tho beach was smooth and wet, but Mr Smith decided to make tho attempt, and arrangements were started early. Tho course was flagged, and several fresh-water streams were dammed with sacks and sand. Everything was ready at 11.30 when the Enterprise was towed from tho garage. It started beautifully from a rolling start, and went well for over two miles. Then tho engine began to cough, eventually cutting out. Tho bottom of the carburettor burst into flames, but these were extinguished before much damage was done. That finished the attempt, and, with tho paint blistered, tho car was towed back ~to tho garage. Mr Smith attributed the trouble to water splashing through the apertures on the magnetos. “ I was doing 170 miles,” he said, “ when the ignition began to cut out owing to water. The engine missed, eventually cutting out after two and a-quarter miles. When it and tho roar of the exhaust stopped I could hoar sparks through the engine and the bottom of the carburettor burst into flames. I tried to put the fire out with the extinguisher, but could not get to tho seat of the trouble. I then used water, and fortunately extinguished the fire.” The car has not yet been examined, but Mr Smith said he thought the damage was not serious. It has, however, left a visible mark, the paint being blistered for some distance just behind the radiator cowling. “ Although no damage was done to the car,” said Mr Smith, “ it is no use going on, as it is impossible to get a dry beach until the middle of next summer. I will postpone tho project and come back here to try again next season. lam definitely not going to Daytona, for I am still of opinion that Ninety-mile Beach is the best in tho world when westerlies are blowing.” Mr Smith said that the revolving windscreen was a great success. It had worked beautifully, and, although water was pelting on it like heavy rain, he had perfect vision. When tho car returned to the garage the screen was perfectly clear. Before the crowd dispersed Mr Allen Bell, on behalf of Mr Smith, thanked those who had given assistance in flagging the course on several occasions when Mr Smith attempted a record or made a trial run on tho beach. He called for three cheers for Mr Smith and Mrs Smith.