WIZARD’S CAR

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1932, Page 5

WIZARD’S CAR

CATCHES FIRE Yesterday’s Attempt NO MORE TILL NEXT YEAR (Per Press Association). KAITAIA, May 1. “Wizard” Smith has met ano th. set back, this time causing him to abandon any further attacks on the records for land speed until next year. While he was actually attacking the, five-.mile record, his car the “Enterprise’’ caught fire to-day and forced smith to abandon the race. Smith has announced that he will leave for Sydney shortly, and that no is to return next summer. The beach was i smooth but wet, yet Smith decided to go, and the arrangements were started early. The course was flagged, and several fresh water streams were dammed with sacks and sand. Everything was ready at 11.30 a.m., when tke Enterprise was towed from ■ the garage. She started beautifully ■from a rolling start. The car went well for over two miles, then the engine began to cough, eventually cutting out. The bottom carburettor j burst into flames, but these were ex* tinguished before much damage was donp.

That finished the attempt, and with, its paint blistered, the car was towed back to the garage Smith attributed the trouble to watr 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 nfter going two and a-quarter miles. When it and the roar of the exhaust stopped, I could hear sparks through The engine, and the bottom carburettOx’ burst into flames. I tried to put the fire out with the extinguisher I carried but I could not get at the seat of the trouble.. Then I used waler, and fortunately extinguished the fire. ’ ’ The car has not yet been examined, but Smith said he thought the damage was not serious, but it left a visible mark, the paint being blistered tor some distance just behind tho radiator cowling “Although no damage was done to the ca r ,” said Smith, “it is no use going on. it is impossible to get. a dry beach unt'.’ the middle of next, summer and I am forced to postpone the project. II will come back here, and try again next season.”

Smith is definitely not going to Daytona Beach, Florida, for he is stui of the opinion that the Ninety Mile Beach is the best in the world when a westerly wind is blowing. Smith said that the revolving windscreen was a groat success. It worked beautifully, and although the water was pelting on it like heavy rain, he had perfect vision and when the car returned to the garage, the screen was perfectly clear and clean. Before the crowd disappeared, Mr Allen Bell on behalf of Smith, thanked those who had given assistance in flagging the course on several occasions, when Smith attempted a record or made a trial run. The Beach was unfit for high speed. He called for three cheers for Smith and Mrs Smith. The A.A.A. official? are all returning to Auckland.