MOTORING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15664, 18 July 1914, Page 5

MOTORING.

AUCKLAND AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. . A committee meeting of the Auckland Automobile Association was held on Tuesday. The president, Mr. Neville Newcomb, occupied the chair, and there was an attendance of fourteen-members. A sub-committee was set up to further consider the question of motor-car insurance and report to the next committee meeting. Attention was drawn to a recent prosecution in which a member of the club had been fined for passing over the railway crossing at New Lynn in contravention of the railway regulations. In the ensuing discussion tho position of the crossing and railway station and contour of the line at tho place in question were clearly illustrated, and it was agreed that it was impossible at the point mentioned to comply with tho regulations. Complaint was also made by members that notico of intention to prosecute was very often not given to the defendant until a considerable time had elapsed after the date of the alleged breach, thus placing defendants at an unjust disadvantage. It was decided to bring the matters complained of under the notice of the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Railways. In response to a request from the pre sident o'' tho Auckland Institute it was decided to assist in the entertainment of the visiting scientists to Auckland by providing the necessary motor-cars. Messrs. A. S. Bankart, I. B. D. Esam, and M. McArthur wero elected members of the club. It was decided to draw the attention of the Police Department and the City Council to tho laxity on tho part of drivers of horse-drawn vehicles to indicate by holding out the hand their intention of turning into side streets. Tho president reported having visited Whangarei, where a branch of the club was established. It was also decided to draw the attention of local bodies to the necessity for tail lights being carried on horso-drawn waggons. The meeting was of opinion that the question of lighting was one which should engage the serious attention of the local authorities. Complaints were mado that drivers did not light up until long after the proper time. The disuse of oil lamps in tramcars was also referred to, it being pointed out that considerable danger existed when the power was temporarily shut off and at tho tramway termini while tho poles were being changed. A member suggested that the lighting up time should be published daily in all newspapers in the Dominion in a similar manner as is done in England.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. On the evo of the annual meeting of the New Zealand Automobile Union word came from Dunedin that the Otago Motor Club had set up a committee to consider the question of affiliation with the union. Should the Otago Club affiliate tho only automobile association remaining outside tho union will be that in Auckland. The Kltham County Council has purchased a Daimler motor-lorry at a cost of £1000. This make was selected in preference to two lower-priced makes of lorrv. Tho proposed road race from New York to San Francisco next year promises to bo one of tho big events of the PanamaPacific Exposition. According to the preliminary plans the race will start at Now York and finish inside the fair grounds in San Francisco- The contesting cars will be driven by one team of drivers and not in relays as is usual hi long distance tests. The' fact that tho route for tho race will be over the famous Lincoln Highway will serve to attract unusual attention to the contest, to the Highway, and to the World's Fair. This will be the longest race ever held under present road renditions. The spectacular features of such an event appealed to the manufacturers who promised a number of entries for tho race.

The Continental Tyre Company has received a cable stating that the Grand Prix do V A.C.F-, decided on tho Lyonß Circuit on Julv 4, was won rieht out, first, second, and third, by Mercedes cars on Continental tvTea. The Lyons Circuit is exceedingly hilly, and is about 20 miles in cireumfererce. It is the first time in history that one make of car has taken the first, second, and third places in such an important event. The distance covered was 486 miles, and the time 7h Ira is credited to the first car to finish.

Particulars are to hand of the international Indianapolis 500-mile race decided in America at the end of May. The event provided a magnificent struggle between 30 of the finest drivers and fastest cars in the world Glorious weather favoured the race, which drew a tremendous crowd of 125,000 people, all of whom had to pay high prices to witness the great struirele for over £10.000 worth of prizes. Out of that amount the visiting contingent won over £8000.

The winner was Rene Thomas. Before tho event he said he would average 83 miles per hour for the 500 miles, and he did so, averaging close on 82$. From tho word "go " the pace was terrific. The first of the favourites to drop out was the English representative J. Chassasjne, who, through bursting a cover on one of tho bankings, side-skidded, broke a wheel, and turned his car over. At 100 miles tho little Peuueot led in lh 10m 465, closely followed by Guyot (Delage), Christiaens (Excelsior), Thomas (Delage), with Goux, last year's winner, 9th, and the dual Grand Prix winner, Georjo Boillot, who was favourite for the Indianapolis event, 13th, ho having had considerable tvre trouble. At 200 miles, in 2h 25m lis, Dtirav still led from Thomas and Wishart, a crack American driver, with Onnx handv and Boillot improving his position. Before 250 miles were covered several of the American cars had dronoed out of the contest. At half wav, Thomas was in the van with Boillot only a few seconds behind. At 280 miles Wishart led on an American car—a Mercer— the terrific burst of speed proved too much for his machine, and he retired later on with a broken crankshaft. A great struggle ensued between the Peugeot and Delage cracks (Boillot and Thomas), but a burst cover led to Boillot's undoing, for on recovering from a bad side-skid, he damniJed the frame of his car, and had to retire. From this out Thomas trained on the field, eventually winning with 6m 19s to spare in the record time of 6h 3m 455. Duray finished second in 6h 10m 245, and Guyot third in 6h 14m Is. All told, only'l3 cars survived the terrific speed test. Grant, an English representative, on a Sunbeam, finished 7th, winning £360

Tyres were the determining factor in the race, many of the contestants losing any chance they had through time lost in tvTO changing. All told, it is estimated that some £2800 worth of tyres were ruined by the 30 contestants. Of the three placed men Guyot had the least trouble in this direction, he changing only two covers, Thomas and Duray each changing five. Last year's winner, J. Goux, chanced eleven "tyres, and consenuently did well to finish close up fourth. Tho winner only lost 4m 55s through tvTe and fuel replenishments, a record nearly equalled by Ouray's little Peuo-eot, which lost 5m 27s from the samo cause.'

A significant fact as showing the reliability of the engines of the leading cars at the finish is that none of the first seven cars had their bonnets lifted during the race. The American cars as a whole made a very poor showing, getting only one place out of the first seven cars to finish. Mechanical troubles caused most of the American contestants to drop out, while not a single European contestant was eliminated by mechanical troubles. The first four drivers selected castor oil as an engine lubricant, and all used large diameter tyres. Financially, the race was a gigantio success.