MOTORING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 28 June 1926, Page 2

MOTORING

NEW THEORY OF ACCIDENTS

SUBCONSCIOUS- DRIVING

Statistics collected.recently in America are reported toj have shown that considerably the larger proportion of motoring accidents occur to drivers of two or more years’ experience, and not to novices. Such a conclusion would he unexpected by most motorists. Perhaps the following theory regarding driving wijT afford,' an explanation of this particular matter (says an English paper) irrTliis is that the physical m.oveipents of a practised driver when controlling the car-are liabliwto be exercised unconsciously, and that when this condition occurs the conscious mind i a left free, to occupy itself with extraneous subjects, just as it does in those moments which precede sinking into sleep in bed. A state of ipental apathy dulls the senses, and its intensity, will vary with conditions incidental to driving apd epqdiijriye to hypnosis, such as fixity of gaze, monotonous sound and relaxation of the. body in a comfortable seat.

In the case of peple highly trained in forms of sport, there, can he no doubt that action is, largely subconscious, but when the specialist reaches a condition wherein his physical movements are automatically precise and adequate, his brain is free, and alert to plan, organise, and marshal liis skill in advance, and he becomes a scratch man at his game. Just so the experienced motor driver reaches a condition where the skill of his hands in manipulating is exercised subconsciously? hut. It is at this ' pariticulgr pqjpjt that so many stop.

MOTOR CQAC'HWORK VAST C'HANgFbEING MADE

In the. early days of the economical motoring, movement manufeefurers were selid.om concerned with the coachwork'which they fitted to provide a chassis that would work and which woiildCHell .to the discerning public on its . performance and not on its appearance.

Times have changed, however, and today the maker of a light ear-is faced with the difficult task of producing coachifork which will compare fayourably. with that fitted to much larger and more expensive ears, for the very, sinipje reason that the modern light ear is essentially a large car in miniature, and that many buyers are guided only too often not by the history of the performance of any particular light car on the rogd, and in competition, hut by its effect op thp eye. . Thanks to the increasing efficiency of light car engines, manufacturers are able to take more liberties with modern coachwork, and it is. indeed encouraging to observe that really luxurious bodies’, both of the saloon and open type, are being evolved for chassis which are. capable of tackling the extra burden. One appreciates, however, at what sacrifice the extra load is imposed when one is sufficiently fortunate to be able to judge of the performance of an almost identical chassis fitted, say, with a light two-seater sports body.

PROGRESS IN MARINE MOTORING

The demand for comparatively small marine motors is increasing in a very satisfactory manner in view of their utility, whether as the sole means of propulsion of small craft or as auxiliai. ies on yachts and other larger vessels. Messrs Gleniffer Motors, of Glasgow, who. have hitherto produced a range of engines from 28 to 105 h.p., are now marketing smaller sizes, including a 7/8 h.p. two-cylinder, a 14/16 h.p. fourand a 21/24 h.p. six-cylinder model. These are of simple design and are offered at attractive prices, the standard of quality being the same as in the larger Gleniffer engines. A small marine engine of which one hears many good accounts is the Thorny, croft DB2 “Handy-billy.” This is being fitted to many Board of Trade ships’ lifeboats of about 30 feet by 9 feet. Tests have shown that the single engine will give this type of craft a speed of six knots. Many somewhat larger vessels are equipped with two such engines and twin screw installations, such equipment having obvious advantages when craft are to be used for sea-going passenger work. The “Handy-billy” is becoming very popular in the overseas markets, particularly in the Far East, and sales are now five times as big as they were twelve months ago. The demand for the four-evlinder 10 h.p. “Empire” motors, built'by Messrs J. W. Brooke, of Lowestoft, has become so extensive that the makers have, found it possible to reduce the price of the full equipment to £95. ex works. This engine uses only about six pints of petrol an hour arid is being extensively used not only for fast small boats, but as the power unit of cabin cruisers of 40 foot and more and also as an auxiliary on large yachts. Among well-known yachtsmen employing the Brooke engines are Sir Thomas Liptori, Lord Waring and Mr Lionel de Rothschild. For the yachtsman of strictly moderate means, an admirable little auxiliary lias been provided recently in the form of-the 4/6 h.p. Ailsa Craig “Pup” marine motor. This occupies a space only 22 inches long, 16£ inches wide and 10 inches high. Consequently it. cn nbo installed out of sight below the cockpit floor and close down to the keel. Jl will drive a 16 inch two-bladed propeller which can he set vertically when the engine is out of use, and so does not interfere with the sailing qualities of the boat. The cost, including every item of installation, is only £59 ex works.