MOTORS AND MOTORING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13381, 9 January 1907, Page 4

MOTORS AND MOTORING.

It is stated that Wagner, who a few weeks back won the Vanderbilt Cup, profited to the extent of £2400 by his success. After the fata) accidents in this race through the crowd breaking through the wire entanglements placed around the course, the Automobile Club of America has decided to begin building an autodrome at once, so that next year's contests can he run without any interference. It is proposed to build a track 20 to 30 miles to the, lap, situated within ICO miles from New York, and a syndicate has already been formed with the necessary funds. An endeavour will Ik? made to construct the artificial road on the lines of the ordinary highway, with hills, corners, and long straightaway stretches. The French chauffeur is notoriously skilful, and can drive a ear round a greasy corner at a pace which the average man dare not approach. When a I'lenhtmni who knows his business strikes a really greasy bit of road he invariably "saws" slightly at the steering wheel—that is, he keeps rapidlv moving it, vorv slightly to right, and left. Mr. 11. Bland, the wellknown Knglish motor expert, mentioned to a. representative of a Home motor journal a very interesting example, of the effect of this method, lie had gone to Paris to take delivery of a cur, and was astonished at the -kill shown by the firm's driver in traversing very greasy streets and roads at a high speed. On taking the wheel himself lie found that, the ear slipped badly, and on asking the cause Ihe chauffeur showed him how he. should operate the steering wheel as above described. On following his instructions the tendency to side-slip disappeared, and the lesson proved very useful subsequently in driving over the very greasy roads to be found in many parts of Great Britain and Ireland. Those motorists who suffer from side-slips- and who wish to try this method should bear in mind, however, that the movement should be very slight. If accentuated it might, have the opposite effect to the one desired.