MOTOR-CYCLING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16568, 4 June 1914, Page 10

MOTOR-CYCLING.

SIDE-CAR TRIALS. TWENTY-SIX STARTERS. The North Canterbury MotoCyclists' Club held a side-car trial yesterday, tho course being from Christchurch, by way of Sumner, Teddington, Purau, Port Levy, Pigeon Bay, Summit Road and Duvauchelle's Bay to Akaroa, returning through Tai Tapu. A sta.rt was made from Worcester Street, opposite Smith's garage, at 8 a.m., the competitors being despatched at intervals of two minutes. There were twenty-seven entrants and twentysix starters. The following were the competitors:—H. J. Suckling (3J h.p. Rover), W Stark (5-6 h.p. Clyno), E. C. liines (7 h.p. Indian), H. Jones (6-7 h.p. King Dick). A. B. L. Smith (5-6 b.p. Clyno), P. V. Thomas' (3-i h.p. 8.5. A.), P. J. Lcgg m h.p. Rover), C. F. Bennett (5-6 h.p. Budge), F. Ritchie (4} h.p. Singer), P. L. Wilburg (7 h.p. Chater Lea), E. A. Williamson (5-6 h.p. King Dick), G. B. Brown (4 h.p. Triumph), J. Thorn (5-6 h.p. King Dick), A. Smith (4i h.p. James), G. C. Jenkins (5-6 h.p. King Dick)'} F. ; Haworth (4 h.p. Triumph). R. L. An-; derson (5-6 h.p. Clyno). C. T. Otley I (5-6 h.p. King Dick)* j. PI. Michael j (\ h.p. Triumph). H. Fish (5-6 h.p. Clyno). L. Wood (5-6 h.p. King Dick),V| A. Pinwell (3* h.p. Triumph), C. Tim- j broil (5-6 h.p. King Dick). G. Tench (3J j h.p. Triumph), E. Armitago (6-7 h.p. i King Dick)r«and C. xUoffatt (5-6 h.p. I Clyno).

Ten makers were represented, and the majority of the machines were fitted with two or three-speed gears. On some of the machines, notably the Chater . Lea, Qlyno and 8.5. A., the gearing was contained- in n separate gear box, mounted just at the rear of the engine, while in others the gears were contained in the rear huh. There, was a fair proportion of chain-driven machines, including the Singer, Chater . Lea and Clyno. The most powerful singlecylinder machine was the 5-6 h.p. Budge, which has an exceptionally long stroke, and sixteen out of the twentysix competing machines had twin cylinders. Many of the side-cars were elaborately finished, in car-body stylo, but the older fashion wicker chair pattern was well represented. The weather at the start was cloudy, and threatened rain, but the roads along the route were reported to bo in very fair condition. In anticipation of tho strenuous hill-climbing that must bo undertaken on the Peninsula, tho majority of tho competitors had fitted their rear tyres with studs, to prevent slipping. The officials conducted the starting very and the competitors wero got away punctually and in their proper order. The competition is in no sense a race all the competitors being bound by a fixed time schedule, allowing four hours for the outward journey and 2;? hours for the run home. A stay of one hour and a half was made at Akaroa for luncheon, and an allowance of forty-fire minutes was made to cover tyre troubles. The results will bo published in the conrso of a few days.