MOTOR RECORD BROKEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 679, 12 April 1923, Page 7

MOTOR RECORD BROKEN.

AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON. MARGIN OF 27 MINUTES. JEWETT CAM'S SUCCESS. Mr I'hil Senbrook recently made it second, and successful, attempt on the motor record between Auckland and Wellington, in n dash that resulted in the lowering of the record by the substantial margin of 27 minutes, lie made his effort in a Jewett live-sealer louring car, and was accompanied by .Mr \V. Simon. This is the third dash by motor this season between the two cities on the record breaking mission the lirst having been made by Mr George L. Campbell, when he piloted a Durant car through in 15 hours 25 minutes on March 14, bunting Mr W. Miller's Chandler record of several years' standing by 'l2 minutes, Mr Sea brook made an attempt: on the record on March 29. starting from Wellington, and got bogged oil the bad road on' Tauinalaire Hill, near Te Kuiti, and relinquished the effort lo regain the time lost. The .Jewett car left Auckland on its second attempt at 3 a.m., the point of departure being the post office, and there was a large crowd of keen motorists present to give "it a send-off, Mr George Uemiing acting as official .-tarter. Mr Seabrook, who has a big reputation as a skilful driver, was instructed to jump off as the Ferry clock struck the. hour, and he made a dramatic get-away by shooting oil' the mark as the first bell of the chimes struck. Five or six cars that were there with engines running, in preparation for accompanying the Jewett part of the way, were left standing, and were hopelessly out-distanced before their drivers realised (hut the race against time was on. The road on the Hangiriri Hills was found to be in bad condition, having been cut up badly during the recent rain, and left in deep ruts, which had caked hard, but good time was made over this difficulty. Te Kuiti was reached at 7.38 a.m.. but trouble was struck with the new road at- Awakhlo, and if. was 11.45 a.m. before Waitara was readied. After this, however, the roads wore good, and the car made excellent time, getting to Hawera an hour later, Waverloy in another hour, and Wangantii at 2.27 p.m., while the Wellington post office was reached at 5.58 p.m. The time taken for the whole journey was 14 hours 58 minutes, which is 27 minutes better than Mr Campbell's time, and 69 minutes less than that of Mr Miller. There was practically no mishap or mechanical trouble throughout the trip.