NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 15 February 1930, Page 14

NOTES.

The Sunbeam ear with which Mr Kaye Don is to attempt to beat the world's land speed record miles per hour) at Daytona Beach (U.S.A.) next March, has been named "The Silver Bullet." It is interesting to recall another "Bullet," 25 years ago, the famous record-breaker designed by the 1 American, Alexander Winton. This car also took part in the 1903 Gordon-Ben-nett race, while in the following year an improved "Bullet," driven by the famous Barney Oldfield, at Daytona Beach, raised the flying mile record to 77.25 m.p.h., and had for a passenger a woman spectator. * * * * *

A license to drive a car in France is not sufficient for Paris; a special license must be obtained for that city. * * * * *

The Japanese Government plans to spend £4,000,000 over a period of 10 years in building roads and awarding subsidies to various industries connected with automobile production. There is now one automobile in Japan fori every 1525 persons. Automobiles and parts were imported during 1928 to a total value of £3,200,000. Japanese manufacturers do not expect to be able to turn out passenger automobiles, but will build trucks and buses.

Henne, of Munich, Germany, a wellknown motor cycle speedster, recently put up the following records: Kilometre records: Standing start, 142.970 k.p.h. (equals 88.8 m.p.h.); flying start, 216.87 k.p.h. (equals 134.7 m.p.h.). Milo records: ■: Standing start, 161.85 k.p.h. (equals 100.8 m.p.h.); flying start, 216.74 k.p.h. (equals 134.65 m.p.h.). These records were in the 750 and 1000 c.c.m. classes, and Henne used "Continental" Tacing tyres throughout. * * * * *

A firm of Continental motor engineers employs women to test its cars, because Experience has shown that a woman has a far better ear, mechanically, than a unan. A director of the concern stated ‘recently that whilst a woman could thrive equally as well as a man, she cpilld generally hear any irregular noises, caused by inefficient parts—such, for example, as faulty transmission bearings—far sooner and could trace ‘ them by their sound with much less trouble. *****

The effect of driving a car at night for several hours is really responsible for more accidents than defective construction. The constant vibration of tfic steering wheel, the continuous noise of the machine, and the drone of the wind have the same effeet as does the buzz of an electric fan. Before the driver realises it he is getting drowsy. The next thing he knows he is off the road. Sometimes the car overturns. If more drivers realised the danger of not keeping awake there would be fewer accidents. * * * *

Huge motor trucks, equipped with heavy pneumatic tyres, are now ploughing across the Sahara desert. The trucks have worn a trail across the desert that is nearly as hard as asphalt. ; They are protected against sand storms. * * ’-• ’ ■» * *

A 23-room residence in Los Angeles was cut in half and moved in sections. With guests at the windows, enjoying the ride, each half was hauled a mile by motor trucks—at night. •Jr •* •* *

Connecticut (U.S.) has enacted legislation having for its purpose the elimination of “junk' ’ automobiles. The object of the new law is to rid the State of old junk automobiles through tho requirements of inspection and licensing of automobile junk yards. *'*#**

The number of intoxicated automobile drivers in New Jersey has increased almost 2000 per cent, since prohibition. In the first year that the Volstead Act was in force there were 115 intoxicated drivers arrested. Last year, it is reported, there were 2000 or more. **. * * *

No fewer' than 30 out of every' 100 automobile drivers are said to suffer from eye- trouble—astigmatism, far or near-sightedness, colour blindness, or some other ocular defect. . In congested traffic, where distance and speed of objects must be gauged within an instant, these sufferers are actually groping. That they escape aceidents—if they do —is due to quick thinking of the drivers. * * * * »

The Side-Car.—“Quite definitely, on the evidence available at Olympia, the big side-car outfit is holding its ’ own in the estimation of the family man,” says a contributor to “Motor-Cycling.” “There is a proverb to the effect that if one throws enough mud some of it Is bound to stick, and the truth of the saying is evident in this case; so much abuse has been levelled) at the side-car that many of its advocates even have acquired the feeling that they are fighting for a lost cause. But Olympia proved, once again, that the combination is very much to the fore.” * * * * *

War Against Honking.—Tho Royal Automobile Club of' Oslo, Norway, has issued a bulletin with a new set of recommendations which have been adopted for automobile traffic in Norway. The club maintains that no driver need use his horn within the boundaries of a city, that speed ’.should always be so moderate that collisions can be avoided, and that cans turning corners and curves at night give sufficient warning by their headlights. The club also proposes that the use of horns be made a punishable offence. Finland is reported to have lyeen experimenting with silent driving, with satisfactory results, and the police of Madrid have made a ruling under which motor horn tootens are being fined for making excessive noise. Fines are from L’.GOdol. to 4.00d01. for each offence. * * * -* -X- ,

More and More.—More and more people are taking to motoring every year. Other pursuits and pastimes come into and go out of public favour, but the motor goes on advancing. The truth is that the car is key to so many things that it has become indispensable to an ever-increasing number of people. As soon as a person determines to do somethinpi or other, or has the means or the opportunity for doing so, then the car enters ms a necessary part of teh proceedings.