MOTOR-CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 16

MOTOR-CYCLING.

THE CINDER SPORT.

The standard of racing at the Western Springs Stadium was of a very high order last week, the local champion, A. Mattson, driving the visiting riders to tlio limit in their endeavours to keep ahead of him. Mattson has carried out further adjustments to his machine during the past few days and with the extra "revs." which his motor is now developing he should make the match races very exciting. Frogley proved a master of the cinders, decisively defeating Anderson, the Australian, by superior "head-work." Anderson's motor was equally as fast as that of Frogley, but the latter by pressing Anderson very hard on the bends, induced the Australian to overdrive, with the result that lie slid into the deep outside cinders, sliding to a standstill, while Frogley, riding with hotter judgment, forged ahead. This fault is not peculiar to Anderson, but is a common shortcoming of many of our local exponents, who sometimes in the excitement of the race drive a little beyond their ability. To-night's racing should bo even more spectacular than that of the previous two nights, for England's star, J. Kempster, will make his debut, and will bo supported bv Bond, another English Cup finalist. 'An attempt at the track record will also be made. A display of fireworks at the conclusion of the races will provide an added attraction to the New Year's Eve racing.

A WONDERFUL RECORD,

A fow months ago A. Dqnly, the wellknown Brooklands rider and breaker of many records on various machines, was being acclaimed for his fine performance in capturing the olassio (500 c,c.) hour record on a 495 c.c. A.J.S. 108,60 m.p.h. Just recently ho again added to his laurels by raising the hour record for 350 c.c. machines, driving his A.J.S. round the Montlhery track for 60 minutes and covering 104.52 miles. This speed is actually only 2£ m.p.h. less than the 350 c.c. flying kilometre record. , The 350' c.c. hour record has stood undisturbed sinco October 23, 1938, when H. J. Willis (348 Velocotte) caused no littlo excitement by covering 100.40 miles, and improving on the then existing record of M. Richard (347 Motosacocho) by somo 7 m.p.h.. Previous to this the record was in tho hands of F. G. Hicks (348 Velocette) at 92.83 m.p.h., but only for eleven days, while, going still farther back, W. L. Handley (348 Rex-Acme-Blackburne) had it in safo keeping for two years from 1926 with a speed of 91.20.

THE TWO-WHEELER ON TOUR

Several local motor-cyclists who completed tho Urewera-Lako Waikaremoana tour during tho Christmas week-end had a delightful holiday. Leaving Rotorua in tho morning, they proceeded to To Whaiti, where camp was pitched on the banks of tho Whirinaki River. A day was occupied in visiting the sites of historic interest and in roaming through the native bush before proceeding through Ruatahuna, en routo to the lake. The fords at Ruatuliuna River and the Owharanga stream were negotiated without trouble, and tho journey continued over the Huiarau Range, the party arriving on the shores of tho lake in the afternoon. Here two days wero spent viewing the falls, Lako Waikare-iti and the other interesting sights. It was with regret that this delightful region was left behind, for the unanimous opinion was expressed that tho timo was all too short in which _ to oxplore the country. Ilio motor-cyclists found travelling conditions very good and encountered no difficulty. 'lbey report very heavy cur traffic, and the statement that somo of the car drivers seemed very ill at ease on tho naiiow roads, specially where there were steep drops of several hundred feet.

PRE-IGNOTON SYMPTOMS.

It is fairly well known to most motorcyclists that ■ pro-ignition has systems rather similar to those brought on by a tight piston or slight shortage of lubricating oil. 'Hie engine apparently becomes weary, heats up, slows down, and finally stops. Very often tho rider has no idea why this should happen, and, after waiting for a few minutes for the engine to cool slightly, is able to start up again and continue on his way. If he goes slowly all is well, but if tho throttle is opened too far 'the came symptoms will ocpur again, and probably even more severely than before. The usual cause of pre-igni-tion is that an incorrect typo of sparking plug has been fitted, or that tho plug has become worn out. In tho case of a twostroke engine, for example, tho heat imparted to tho central electrode of the plug is much greater than in a four-stroke, so that it is essential to employ a plug that will carry away the heat, otherwise tho incandescent points will fire tho mixture prematurely.

AN EXCUSABLE MISTAKE.

A local constable recently received rather ft shock. Seeing a youthful motorcyclist, lie was doubtful if the rider was old enough to hold a driving licence. With the full majesty of the law behind him he demanded to see tho licenco, at the same timo inquiring the owner's age. Naturally ho was surprised when he read a lady's name, and saw a shock of golden hair as the "young lady rider" removed her riding helmet, smiling brightly at tho same timo.

NOTES.

A,J.S, machines now hold four of tho most coveted of the world's motorcycle records —tho hour records for tho 350, 500, 750 and 1000 c.c. classes.

Motor-cyclists visiting tho beaches during tho holidays nro warned against converting tho sands into racing tracks. It it dangerous to children and holidaymakers and is liable to end in a conviction.