Cycling and Motoring.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 949, 19 September 1918, Page 23

Cycling and Motoring.

R. Spears, the New South Wales racing cyclist, who has done particularly well on the American tracks during the £ast three or four years, is now riding atter than evetr. It is predicted that, all going well, he will this year carry off the all-round American championship. He has recently defeated in turn all the cracks now racing on thei American circuit, including A. Spencer (1917 U.S.A. champion) and P. Kramer. So far Spears has scored 12 firsts, 2 seconds, 1 third, and 2 fourths in championship events, and when the last American mail left he had a credit of'. 70 points against R. McNamara's (also' of New South Wales) 32. Another "Australian in A. Grenda was third with 27 points; A". Spencer (the title holder) was only sixth with 16 points. It will thus be seen that the Australian riders are at present more than holding their own in America.

The much-heralded 1 'Panzerkraftwageoti," or German tank, made its de;but in fair numbers in the last great German attack. One of these tanks slipped into a stone quarry and turned over on its side, and a subsequent advance! by French troops placed this German machine well within Allied lines, where it could be studied at leisure. ' ' _ '

The German version of the tank is' a ponderous affair, quite in the tendencies of ■ the Teutons. It weighs 46 tons, and carries a crew of 18. In general appearance it follows the French rather than the English design of tank, but is far larger than anything yet attempted by the Allies with the exception of the American steam-driven tanks which, up to date, iiave not yet been in action.

All in all, the Paruzerkraftwagen, aside from an inclosed gear box, which reduces the possibility of the gears getting clogged with mud and dirt, presents no great improvement over French and British tanks which have fallen into the hands of the Germans. If anything, it is merely more cumbersome through lack of proper materials, -and therefore a. poorer fighter.

In the Blatter of tyre mileage, the average result is the only thing that •counts. An exceptional mileage from one or two covers, and poor service from others of the same make, ' soon brings up the cost of tyre upkeep to the motorist. In this connection the Dunlop Company claim that the average mileage obtained from their huge output of tyres in Australasia is ahead of any other tyre made. The fact that inore Australian-made Dunlop tyres are sold in Australasia than all the other makes put together proves the demand. Such a demand for the first and foremost tyre would not be existent unless they were dependable and their average" service above the ordinary.