MOTORING NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 30 January 1936, Page 4

MOTORING NOTES

ROAD RACES AND RALLIES

MOTOR SPORT LIMITATIONS

(By Gerald Ely, London, for

The Mail”)

Altliougli motor sport in England does not evoke general interest to the same extent as in Continental countries, it does, nevertheless, continue to grow in popularity, despite the handicaps imposed upon it. Among these is the veiled and sometimes unveiled hostility of non-motorists toward club trials, the heavier rates levied by insurance companies upon sports cars and the impression .that obtains in some quarters that 'all sports car owners are potential homicides. As if this were not enough, the State, itself has laid a chilling hand of restraint upon any use of tlie most desolate public highway for racing purposes. Motorists are used to inequalities of treatment before magistrates, and accept as a matter of custom the fact that a technical offence against the Road Traffic Act in one district is liquidated by hall a guinea, whereas the same offence committed in another district may mean a crippling fine. But one expects greater balance from the State. Yet, in Northern Ireland, which is part of the British Isles, and in the Isle of Man, which is also part of the United Kingdom, road racing is actively fostered by the authorities ; but on the mainland it is a serious breach of the law to organise and engage in a. race on any public highway. No one in his senses would desire, ol course, that the law should be so amended as to enable any two lunatics to micro each other on the public highway' to the danger of the lieges, or that any local club should have the right to put any stretch of road out of public use because thoy want their members to compete for the club tin medal. But surely there can he little real objection to a properly organised event by one of our national associations such as the R.A.C. in England and Wales, or the Royal Scottish Automobile Club m Scotland. Naturally every ' measure would require to be taken to ensure the safety of the public, and it would even be possible to study their convenience by holding the race oil a circuit situated in a part of the country well supplied with alternative routes for ordinary traffic.

PEER AND PARLIAMENT

There appears to be influences at work in Scotland for the organisation of a road race, but as Scotland is still part of Great Britain, nothing can b« done until Parliament is induced to pass a Bill to free the roads for that purpose. Lord Weir recently made a public speech in support of road racing in Scotland, but even his great influence is unlikely to move the authorities to put forward this measure of national derestriction. ijie time-spirit, irked by t.ie continued toll of road accidents, is unlikely to prove favourable to the project at the present juncture. So motor sport enthusiasts must continue to do without the stimulus of road racing in Britain for some time longer. If they want another stimulus they will find it by participating in one or other of the motor rallies to be held m the New Year. These arc not road races, or anything like it, but they do meet to a notable extent the hankering tlu so many motorists have to take part m organised sporting events in which both the human element and the mechanical are strenuously tested. Those who can take part in the Monte Carlo Rally, mr example, will find all the excitement, all the discomfort, and all the fascination they require. The Monte Carlo Rally lakes giace in January, when most of the Continent is in the grip of winter at its worst. Each route available to the entrants is a difficult one, but the most testing of all is still the Athens route, and those who start from the Capital of Greece deseivedlv receive the largest number oi points if they will through. The Balkan roads are roads only in name, and a heavy snowfall can make certain sections impassable. Other starting points are I allinn in Esthonia, Umea in Sweden, and Stavanger in Norway, and they are all pretty bad. This year, m addition to meteorological hazards, the entrants may have to encounter- political hazards to some extent, for the European situation is not a very settled one. bo n the urge is for exciting sport, those who participate in the Monte Carlo Ral y are likely to get it.

MILDER SPORT Motorists who like their sport in milder form, can still obtain it by means of the R.A.C. Rally. This takes place in March, when the weather is less severe and you do not have to leave Great Britain. From each starting point about 1000 miles has to be covered during which you criss-cross England, penetrate Wales and invade Scotland. It is an excellent opportunity to see your own countrv, though a great deal ot it s seen in the dark, for the Rally entails a considerable amount of night du\But many, motorists do not, con ® the month of March an ideal time of the veal- for concentrated driving by day and night, and their preference is fm a warmer’month and a less strenuous lime. Even for these less hardy spoilsmen there is a suitable Rally available, namely, the Scottish Rally which takes place in May. True, it also entails some night 'driving, b/t this. i. bv no, means strenuous, 'and it is frankly the aim of the organisers, the Royal bL ° lt p Automobile Club, to make the event more or less a sporting holiday in the Highlands. It is 'a delightfu! way to see the most picturesque parts of Scotland, and feel at the same time that you ai taking part in a motoring contest. These observations on motoi spoit have been suggested byth* receipt from the Royal Automobile Club of then a mini list of British motoring events for 1936 This list, which covers moie than four sheets of closely typed foolscap, affords perhaps the best evidence of the growing popularity of motor spoil m this country. Geographically the clubs whoso events have been approved coyei the whole of Britain, and they comprise many known, and, to me, some unknown clubs. The honour of setting the ball rolling falls fo a Falkirk dub, who have their first trial in Stirlingshire on 4th January. The last event of the year is on December 13tli next, the organisers being the R.P.M. Motor Club whose initials convoy nothing (o me, tint, the members of which are probably as keen on motor sport as the, British Racing Drivers’ Club, whose British Empire Trophy Race takes place at Donington on 4th April.

ON THE ROAD

It is a long time since I have been so deeply impressed by such value for money as is offered by the new Moms “21”'. which I tested the other day. Priced at. only £2BO as a sliding head saloon, its performance, finish and appearance arc all worthy of a considciably more expensive model. With a rating of 20.92 h.p., carrying a tax of £ls 15s, this car is capable of 75 miles per hour with the greatest- ease and smoothness. A three-speed gearbox is used with synchromesh engagement on' second and top. “Why not four speeds,”

some will ask. The reply is that the capabilities of this particular Morris on top are so outstanding that a third speed is not required. Acceleration of the most heartening kind there is in plenty, the. 70 mark being reached with remarkable celerity. It is seldom one requires to use second gear, but it is nevertheless capable of a maximum of 50 miles per ’hour. Steering and brakes are fully m keeping with this performance, and the suspension is of a really high standard. Moreover, Ihe whole car is so designed tliati the driver lias the easiest task to control it, and the passengers are provided with a standard of comlort winch is reallv surprising. They could not- be more comfortable in a limousine. Luggage accommodation is .on a f'onpvous scale, the container being unusual! v large, and there is even a strong arid for any -overflow. Large lioadfjahts and a powerful spot light form ~-Trt of the equipment, as do also peima.ie.it jacks. I have nothing but admiration for this latest Morns product- which has been designed not onh for England, but for world export.