MOTORING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13781, 20 June 1908, Page 8

MOTORING.

A thrilling and sensational occurrence recently took place at the Brooklands automobile racing track (England) during the progress of a moior-car . race for 90-h.p. cars. Snow hud faiien just previous ft* the race, making the cement tracks slippery on the banked corners (27ft high). Jn the race under notice, D. Resta, on a 76-h.p. .Mercedes, shot to the front, and, approaching the last turn led by. a few lengths from F. Newton (90-h.p. Napier), who was coming up at, the tremedous pace of 112 miles hit hour (according to a motor-meter affixed to the Napier). To pas.-: the Mercedes, also I ravelling at a hign speed, Newton shot high up the steep cement banking, and to the horror of the spectators, when exactly opposite Rests, the Napier slipped sideways down the banking and collided with tin. .Mercedes. With great presence of mind, both drivers kept their heads, and despite the fact that wheels were scraping wheels, both kept their course, Newton eventually succeeding in getting his car up the banking again and, keeping right on, wobbled up (he straight, passing- the winning-post a few yards to the. good. When the cars were pulled up, the colliding wheels of both cars bore evidence of- the collision, most of the 'wire spokes of the Napier wheels beingpulled out, whilst, the heavy brass hub caps of. Ihe Mercedes wheels were torn to piece.-. fl'hafc a serious" accident was averted,, especially when the terrific speed is taken into consideration, was little short of mini culous, and was solely due to the coolheadodiit'ss of both Newton and Resta, two of the finest professional racing drivers in England.