MOTOR SPEED DASH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20465, 17 January 1930, Page 13

MOTOR SPEED DASH.

timekeepers recalled.

LONG MIDNIGHT RIDE EFFORTS AGAIN IN VAIN. [Br TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] KAITAIA, Thursday. The high wind which for the past few days has prevented Mr. Norman " Wizard" Smith, the famous Australian motorist, from making an attempt on the World's 10-mile speed record on the Ninety Mile Beach, sprang up once more to-day, making the effort again impossible. The beach was in good order and the wind was only light, early in the morning, when the tide was in. By the time the waves had receded, however, the breeze had freshened to such an extent that it was quite out of the question to make the run.

When the official timekeepers, supplied by the Auckland Automobile Association, left Kaitaia yesterday, it was thought that the gale then blowing would continue for two or three days, and Mr. Smith considered that. the record could not be attempted before Saturday. But shortly after midnight the wind dropped and all the indications were for a suitable day. Mr. Smith then communicated with the Automobile Association's headquarters in Auckland. It was known that the party of timekeepers had gone only as far as Ohaeawai, about 70 miles away, and a decision was reached to interview them and to ask a number to return. ,

About 12.30 a.m. a party comprising Mr. Smith, Mr. H. Nattrass, who drove, and two press representatives set out for Ohaeawai by motor-car. The route lay through the Victoria Valley and the Mangamuku Gorge, and the party reached the hotel where the officials were staying shortly after 3.30 a.m. The timekeepers were aroused, but one of them was unable to return to Kaitaia owing to private business of an urgent nature. There was no other difficulty in connection with the return journey, and a number of stop watches were obtained for the use of other local timekeepers, to be selected from the officials of the racing and 'trotting clubs and the Motor Racing Club. Leaving Ohaeawai about 4.30 a.m. the party returned, to Kaitaia in time for breakfast. Mr. Nattrass drove for most of the journey although Mr. Smith relieved him at the wheel for short spells.

The morning at that time gave indications of a most suitable day for the dash along the beach, but by noon the wind had sprung up again and it was decided not to race. After a consultation with members of his party Mr, Smith said in the afternoon that it was likely that the attempt would be made at an early hour on Saturday, when the tide will be low. The wind is usually quiet on the beach in- the early morning, and before the heat of the sun is felt there is no haze. Should no attempt be made on Saturday morning the low tide in the afternoon will give another opportunity. There will also be the advantage of two tides on Sunday. It is probable that to-morrow Air. Smith will establish a camp on the beach, to enable him to get,the course flagged as soon as the tide permits, thus giving him a favourable early start.