CYCLING AND MOTORING NOTES.

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1911, Page 3

CYCLING AND MOTORING NOTES.

Many European motorists, both carists and motor cyclists, are now us. ing benzol as fuel in competitive events in place of petrol, as they claim that the former fuel gives anything up to 25 per cent, increased power. Benzol is perfectly safe to use and is said to be suprisingly economical. It is manufactured chiefly in those districts where coal and iron trades are carried on, and is used very considerably in Fance. The chief difference between benzol and petrol is in their specific gravity, the former having a specific gravity of 882 as against petrol's 720. There are said to be no great difficulties in the using of benzol if two points are kept in mind. First, owing to its greater gravity the carburetter float rides higher, thus lowering the height of fuel in jet, with the result that starting-up of the engine is effected. This can be easily obviated by adding a small lead washer to the top of float so that the liquid is brought up 'to the same level as when petrol is used. Secondly, the throttle does not need to be opened quite so much, whilst more air is needed. Benzol can be procured in' England at 9d per gallon, but the writer is not aware whether it is obtanable in this country in sufficient quantities to be used commercially. As it it; a coal product, there should, however, be no reason why benzol should not be distilled in this country.