CAMPBELL'S SPEED RECORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20793, 9 February 1931, Page 11

CAMPBELL'S SPEED RECORD

FINE BRITISH ENGINE.

DRIVER'S SKILL PRAISED

RUN IN MIDGET CAR. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 8, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY, Feb. 7. After establishing his speed record, Captain Malcolm Campbell said the visibility was bad, particularly on the second run, and he had gteafc difficulty in seeing where he was going. His sensations he described as falling, only falling upwards." He ascribed credit for the exploit to tho wonderful car and engine, and said the record proved again the supremacy of British engineers and material. He said: " Ihe Bluebird behaved magnificently, and I am convinced she did nothng like her maximum speed. It would have been suicide to let her go full out in such conditions. I could see only 300 yards ahead in the northern run, and lost speed in consequence." Captain Campbell, who has had an adventurous career, began motor racing in 1905, and ijj those early days also constructed successful aeroplanes. Ho served in the Air Force during the war. He spent a fortune in peace-time on record-breaking attempts, and previously held the world land record.

The lafe Sir Henry Segrave's record of 231 miles an hour, established in the Irving special " Golden Arrow," exceeded the previous land maximum speed by 24 miles an hour, and efforts made in the intervening two years failed to beat it. Schneider Gup Race Engine.

Captain Campbell's. supercharged Napier aero engine is similar to those used by the successful British team in the last Schneider Trophy race. Britain holds all the world speed records for land, sea and air. The world's air record of 357 miles an hour was established by Squadron-Leader Orlebar, and the water speed official record of 98 miles an hour was set up by the late Sir Henry Segravo in the speed boat Miss England 11. last year. Other records held by Britain include the motor-cycle speed of 150,74 miles an hour, held by J. Wright, and the outboard boat record speed of 51.98 miles, set up last autumn by Charles Harrison. Captain Campbell states that if his new record is subsequently surpassed he will hold the Bluebird in readiness to regain his title. Among motoring and engineering experts the skill and courage of the driver are enthusiastically praised. Those familiar with the tests which the Bluebird underwent before leaving England are convinced she is capable, if necessary, of even higher speed achievement. The test is rgarded as demonstrating not only the high quality of craftsmanship and materials used in constructing the car,' but tho soundness of the design, based on a long serios of experiments with wind resistance. Record for Midget Cars. Captain Malcolm Campbell announced to-day that ho would make no further trials of the Bluebird car before returning to England. He may leave next week.

On Friday lie established a world's speed record of 94.031 miles an hour for tiny automobiles with piston displacement of less than 45 cubic inches. The previous record was 87.76 miles per hour.

Captain Campbell clipped 6.27 miles an hour off the previous midget car record, established in France several years ago. Ilis first run took 38.27 seconds, a speed of 94.069 miles, and the second run 38.3 seconds, a speed of 93.94 miles. The average speed for the kilometre course laid out within the measured mile was 93.94 miles an hour.

He plans to rest for a week or so before returning to England, where he expects to resume competitive racing. In an interview Captain Campbell said: " I am not satisfied with the present record of 245 miles an hour. But I do not contemplate any more record trials soon. There is plenty more speed in the Blue Bird, but trials are extremely expensive.

" Perhaps, if I can find some millionaire who will help to finance such an undertaking, I shall try for the 300 miles mark within the next few years. There is nothing that I should like to do better."

Captain Campbell added: "I have no fear of trying for 300. miles. I am what you call a fatalist. I get absolutely no sensation or thrill while travelling at so fast a speed."

Captain Campbell established the midget record in a class H car, made by the Austin Company of England.

NEW ZEALAND ATTEMPT

BETTER BEACH AVAILABLE.

HOPES OF NORMAN SMITH.

(Received February 8, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. Feb. 8.

Discussing Captain Campbell's motoring records at Daytona Beach, J\lr. Norman Smith, in an interview, said his own attempt at Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand, would have some advantage, because the New Zealand beach was 1000 ft. wido at low tido, with 36 miles of perfectly straight run, whereas Daytona Beach was only nine miles long and 100 ft. wide. Consequently " Wizard " Smith hopes to eclipse Captain Campbell's achievement.

lIIGII SPEED RESEARCH.

* SPECIAL TUNNEL BUILT

TESTS OF THE BLUE BIRD. British Wireless. RUGBY. Feb. 0. At the National Physics Laboratory at Teddington there has been erected n variable density tunnel, for the purpose of research. The construction of the tunnel, which was carried- out by Messrs. John Brown, of Sheffield, marks a distinct advance in technique. To withstand high pressures, the tunnel is composed of the largest hollow steel drums in the world. It has withstood a pressure of 550 tons to the square inch. The chassis and body of the Blue Bird car, in which Captain Malcolm Campbell set up a new record, were subjected to exhaustive tests of this kind. It is anticipated that research in the new tunnel will yield information of great value.