LAND SPEED RECORD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 35, 25 January 1932, Page 8

LAND SPEED RECORD

“WIZARD’’ SMITH'S ATTEMPT. ADJUSTMENTS TO ENTERPRISE. Ninety-Mile Beach, Jan. 24. Preparations are again being made for “Wizard” Smith’s attempt on the ten, five and one-mile records. Smith hopes to run the first two in a week and make his attempt on the flying mile on February 4, It is possible, however, that if the beach is right he will go for the mile before then. He is anxious to make the run before Campbell gets to Daytona. Those of Smith’s party who left at the end of last week returned last night, and Mr Butcher and the timing officials arrived to-day. Conditions are not good, and Smith stated it would probably be Monday before he took the car out of the garage. He missed an opportunity last Monday when the beach was as smooth as a billiard table. Unfortunately the timing officials were away and the chance was lost. Although there was a very high tide last night the wind was in the wrong direction and then were many washouts on the beach This morning the mechanics were still working on the Enterprise. A new revolution counter is being fitted to the stream-lined tanks behind the front wheels which caused trouble when the radiator affixed was taken off when Smith made his trial run. It has non been modified and will be put bar !, into position. Apart from that the Enterprise is ready to be taken out at a moment’s notice.

DID NOT AIM AT 300 M.P.H. DESIGNEE’S EMPHATIC DENIAL Sydney, Jan. 24. Don Harkness, replying to Mr Mostyn’s New Zealand statement, published in the Sydney “Morning Herald” on Saturday, reiterates a denial that he over claimed Smith’s car was capable of 300 miles an hour. He said the car was designed to break the existing record of 245 miles an hour, and if it was successful he was prepared to alter the gear ratio to attempt greater speeds up to 300 miles an hour. Never in his wildest drcams did he imagine it would be possible to bettor the‘tecord by 55 miles nn hour. If the Enterprise breaks the record by five or ten miles per hour as it was capable of doing, Mr Harkness said it would be an excellent performance. Smith himself, in articles in the old “Sunday Times” and “Sunday Guardian,” claimed that he now said that the car was capable of 300 miles per hour. That was long before the drawings were made or the Schneider engine assured. Mr Harkness regrets having to insist that I claimed a speed of 300 miles per hour for the Enterprise. Why should Mr Mostyn regret, if he is sure of what he is talking sbeuf 7 There is no occasion 1 lor apologies.