MOTOR-CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19454, 9 October 1926, Page 12 (Supplement)

MOTOR-CYCLING.

THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX. Despite prophecies that tho Belgiar machines would be abnormally fast and that tho Germans in the 175 c.c. class were serious competitors, the three classes in the Belgian Grand Prix produced British winners. Besides Simpson's brilliant success in the 500 c.c. race nt 67.9 m.p.h., which proved a record for the dangerous and difficult Belgian course, F. A. Longman (A.J.S.) won the 350 c.c. race at 61.06 m.p.h., J. A. Porter (New Gerrard-Blackburno) came in first among tho 250 c.c. machines at 58.39 m.p.h., under most adverse circumstances, while the 175 c.c, class was won by Milhoux on tho Blackburne-engined Ready at 48.6 m.p.h. At the conclusion 6f tho first quarter Woods (Norton) held leading position in the Senior division but making a terrific skid on a corner lost ground and at halfway was 5 seconds behind Simpson (A.J.S.). This order continued for somo time but Woods again encountered trouble and dropped back to third place. In tho 2} h.p. class Longman (A.J.S.) left tho field well behind and secured a comfortable victory with a margill of'over twelve minutes. Porter's 2jf li.p. Gerrard secured an even more conclusiie victory having over 25 minutes lead at tho finish. The only non-British rider to secure u first place was J. Milhoux, a Belgian riding a British Blackburne engine in the 175 c.c. class. The detailed results were: 500 c.c. CLASS (259.ee MILES). ,T. Simpson, A.J.S . 67.9 m.p.h. . . 1 R. Earner, Sunbeam. 65.4 m.p.h. - S. Woods, Norton, 63.9 m.p.h. a 250 c.c. CLASS (222.07 MILES). P. A. Longman, A.J.S., 61.1 m.p.h. 1 0. Putz, Sunbeam, 58.4 m.p.n. .< 1. Demulder, Indian, 56.9 m.p.h. .. 3 250 e.c. CLASS (185.06 MILES). JA. Porter. New Gerrard, 58.3 m.p.h. 1 G-. Davidson. New Imperial, 51.4 m.p.n, J 175 c.c. CLASS U66.-5 MILES). J. Milhoux. Ready Blackburno, 48.6 m.p.h. ... • •• * V. Backers. D.K.W., 47.5 m.p.h, SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS. Tho 1926 Scottish Championships resulted as follows"Flying Kilometre Class": 250 c.c., J. A. Porter (New Gerrard), 74 m.p.h.; 350 c.c. J. A. Porter (New Gerrard), 81 m.p.h.; 500 c.c., G. Grinton (Norton), 83.5 m.p.h.; 1000 c.c., G. Grinton (Harley-Davidson), 96 m.p.h. Championship Class; 250 c.c., 10 miles, G. Grinton (New Imperial), 49 m.p.h.; 350 c.c., 20 miles, J. Guthrie (A.J.S.), 61 m.p.h.; 600 c.c., 20 miles, J. Allan (Norton), 60 m.p.h.; 1000 c.c., 20 miles, G. Grinton (Harley-Davidson), 60.6 m.p.h. It will be noticed that the 350 c.c. winner secured the fastest time, this no doubt being on account of ease of control on tho turns. The races were heJd on sand. SAFETY FIRST. Certain it is that the number of motoring accidents would bo halved if every driver wero to act upon the safety first maxim. Drivers of every type of vehicle should regard every other driver as a potential source of danger, and high speeds should not bo indulged in unless the road be clear, not only of pedestrians but of all traffic. It is dangerous for any driver to assume that the motorists he may meet are as expert as himself; especially should this bo remembered at holiday'times. Tlioso motor-cyclists who have the welfare of the motor-cycle movement at heart will ride with tlie greatest care, and will also refrain from bringing discredit upon motor-cyclists as a class by needless acceleration, which may give cause for further complaints concerning the noise of motor-cycles; and sidecar drivers and riders with pillion passengers should remember that they are responsible for the safety of their companions. The safety first rule should be remembered and acted upon on every occasion when cornmonsense dictates that its application may possibly avert an accident. High average speeds should not be attempted at holiday times. NOTES. In hundreds of American towns telegraph boys are equipped with motorcycles. Recent figures show that there are now about 250 motor-cycles in use in Jamaica, as against only 100 three years ago. Fines levied on motorists in England, and paid into the Road Fund dnring the financial year, 1925-26, amounted to approximately £165,000 —about 2s OJd per vehicle licensed. Only 2205 motor-cycles were exported from tho United States during April last as against 2246 in the corresponding month of 1925. Total shipments for the first four months of this year are 10,827 machines, however, as contrasted with the 1925 figure of 8765. A practice which does not enhance the popularity of motor-cyclists as a whole is the unnecessary use of castor oils. Many owners of machines, which would run equally well with less odoriferous lubricants, appear to consider that the pungent smell adds " speed " to their mounts. Enthusiasm for motor-cycle racing in Germany continues to grow. A crowd of 10,000 spectators recently gathered to witness a meeting held on the Farmsen track. British machines carired off three firsts and German machines, fitted with British engines, wero successful in all but threo of the remaining races. Light but continuous blows are received by the inner or bush plates of high-speed chains from tho sprocket teeth as they pass over them, with tho result that there is a tendency for the plates to movo outward, and come into close contact with the side plates; this close contact between tho two sets of plates causes tight joints, with consequent quick wear and harsh running. With the object of preventing this troublo a chain has been evolved at an English factory. In this type tho holes in the outer faces of the bush plates arc slightly countersunk, and tho onds of tho bushes aro spun outward into tho countorsinking, with the result that the plates are securely riveted, and creeping is impossible.