THE SPORTS CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20076, 13 October 1928, Page 12 (Supplement)

THE SPORTS CLUB.

WEEK-END FIXTURES. Following is the programme of the Sports Motor-Cycle Club:— To-morrow.—Run to Arapuni, leaving Great South Road tram terminus at 6.30 a.m., and meeting the Hamilton, Te Aroha and Rotorua motor-cycle clubs. Sunday, October 28.—Beach racing at Muriwai. A 20-mile event will be held for privately-owned machines up to 500 c.c., for the cup presented by Mr. Mattson. Entries close on October 24. The party, will meet at the Western Springs at 9 a.m. Sunday, November 4.—Run to Thames, meeting at Great South Road tram terminus at 7 a.m. SENSATIONAL RECORD. One of the most remarkable feats in motor-cycle history was accomplished recently at Brooklands Track. C. W. G. Lacey, riding a 498 c.c. Jap-engined Grindlay-Peerless, tuned solely by himself, covered 103 miles 5-32 yards in one hour, thereby breaking ton world's records, including the coveted 500 c.c. hour record. The nature of the achievement can scarcely bo comprehended by those who do not know the conditions under which tho rider labouted. Brooklands Track, far from being a perfect speedway, has nowadays a rough, bumpy surface worse than that of almost any of tho English main roads. So bad, in fact, is tho surface that racing men bold the view that foi purely physical reasons it was impossible for any motor cyclist to cover one hundred miles in the hour on Brooklands—Britain's only race track, excluding, of course, the small dirt tracks.

Owing to the state of the track it has become customary for riders who wish to break high-speed records to visit the more recently laid Montlhery Track, near Paris. On that track they are not stressed to the limit of their endurance. But even more important is the fact that, owing to its smooth surfaco, Montlhery is actually faster than Brooklarids. Indeed, manv experts consider that a machine capable of a hundred miles an hour at Brooklands will attain approximately 103 m.p.h at Montlhery. This is the first time a 500 c.c. machine has covered 100 miles in one hour in Great Britain Tho previous performances, although standing to the credit of British machines, were established at Montlhery. BRITISH EXPORTS. The following British export figures for June show that the motor-cycle trade is still flourishing:- £ £ £ 1926. 1927. 19C8.

Valuo of motorcycles .. . . 169.G91 238.573 25G.713 Value of parte .. 70,481 91.238 148,590 £210.172 £332,811 £135.303 No, of machines . . 4.5G2 5.577 7,010 An interesting feature in connection with oversea.-, trade in motor vehicles is the big increaso of motor-cycle business abroad compared with that of cars. Exports of cars were £1,287,911 less during the first half cf this year than in the same period of 1927, whereas tho motor-cycle figures show an increaso of £589,307. A NEW FOUR. Tho Indian Motor-cycle Company announces, a new four cylinder motor-cycle the " Indian 4." A 1001b. force feed oiling system provides lubrication at all motor bearing points at the pressure proportionate to riding speed and the need of, the motor. Tho rear mudguard is hinged to provide easy removal of the back wheef and tho front forks aio adopted J'rom the usual Indian spring suspension. Independent front and rear brakes are fitted and the clutch allows of permanent disengagement by a unique foot pedal. In appearance the new 4 resembles the Scout, tho throttle being on the left and tho gear change on the left. CARELESS DRIVING. The British Minister of Transport recently stated that, according to the coroners' returns 36, per cent, of road accidents could be avoided by drivers taking proper care. Drivers of motor vehicles were not, howovei, the only ones at fault; pedestrians and cyclists wero often inconsiderate, while children were fiequently itrnorant. Each class of the community could add its quota to the safety of the roads. Ho took particular exception to inconing of cars at corners, and tho giving of sidorate overtaking by drivers, the parkinefficient hand -signals NOTES. The fourth social evening of the Ladies' Progressive Motor-cycle Club will be held on Thursday, September 27. A 173 c.c. Excelsior J.A.P. has established the amazing performance of averaging 70.18 m.p.h. for a period of two hours. An English writer suggests that if a 5 h.p. car is introduced, it will turn from the ranks of motor-cyclists all but the young and sporting. Recalling early motor-cycling, an enthusiast stated that in 1903 it was unwise to purchusa a motor-cycle, or, as it was then, a motor-assisted cycle, unless one was a professional cyclist, and there was a down-hill grade of 1 in .10 outside the front gate.