MOTOR Notes

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6910, 16 May 1929, Page 10

MOTOR Notes

1-0 » t *—} At an inquest at West Bromwich, oe casioned by an accident caused by people alighting from trams, the coroner referred to the latter as ' lumbering things, which set down their passengers in the middle of the road.” A company' is seeking the approval of the Koyal Automobile Club, of Western Australia, for a scheme to construct a motor racing track near Perth. J.t is proposed to build a 1, mile circuit. surfaced with concrete, at a cost ' of £50,000. The modern automobile- research department is equipped with very accurate instruments for making delicate weighing of motor parts. One firm uses scales which are so sensitive that they will weigh ( a lead pencil mark on a piece of paper. The German Tost Office headquarters has conducted tests with two Diesel engined chassis. One investigation was made with a four-cylinder plant developing 53 h.p. at 1.100 revolutions. A report indicating that these engines are now sufficiently advanced to replace petrol motors has been the tc-, suit. The British driver, E. A. D. Eldridgc, is reported to be preparing for an attack on the 2-1-hour record for class C cars. He will'use an American sports model. The record is held by' Boillot, with a French car. the. average being 073 m.p.h. The attempt will be made on Mout-lhery track.

Yet. another theft-proof device, embodying the combination principle has been introduced in England. The combination is on the dasli, and a Bowden wire connects with an enclosed petrol tap. Should some ingenious thief cut the wire the tap remains in the 'off’ position, and it would require considerable labour to obtain access to it. The British motor cycle export figures for January beat anuary’s record total in 1928 by over £IOO,OOO. The actual figures arc £350,602, compared with £280,-165 for the corresponding month of 1928. Considering that the January', 1928, iiguro was itself £51,000 ahead of January, 1927, the position at the beginning of this year looks particularly bright for the British motorcycle industry. The dirt track recently opened at Wellington is still attracting thousands of spectators Weekly'. Not only has the public been captivated, but riders are deserting the grass tracks in increasing numbers. The lalest exponent to try his skill is Percy Coleman, the present recognised leading world’s grass track rider. Astnde a strange machine and on an unfamiliar surface he was not an outstanding figure, but given time he will probably soon master the art and will be. in the position to contest honours with those riders who have risen to star posit ions at the speedway'. It has been definitely arranged that Coleman will appear on the Auckland motor cycle dirt track stadium when it is opened at the end of this year.