LAND SPEED RECORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20842, 8 April 1931, Page 10

LAND SPEED RECORD.

PLANS OF NORMAN SMITH. ATTEMPT PROBABLY IN MAY. RUN ON NINETY-MILE BEACH. After a number of delays, due to the lato arrival in Australia of parts of his motor-car, Mr. Norman ("Wizard ) Smith hopes to make his attack on the world's land speed record on the Ninety Milo Beach, North Auckland, toward the end of May, according to advice received in New Zealand by C. C. Wakefield and Company, Limited. If ihe weather is unsuitable in May, Mr. Smith will make his attempt in the spring, probably in October.

The car is almost completed and should be ready for shipment to New Zealand within a short time. A number of preparations for the attempt have been made by the Auckland Automobile Racing Club, Limited, which is to control the event, having been empowered by the Auckland Automobilo Association, the authorised representative of the English and international controlling bodies, to do so. A property on the beach has been procured by the club for the erection of garage accommodation for the car and Mr. Smith's supplies, while a timing apparatus of the most modern typo, working on the light-beam system, has been specially imported from England.

In its main outlines the car resembles the "Golden Arrow," but has a moro powerful engine, the power unit being exactly similar to that of Sir Malcolm Campbell's car, with which the present record was established. Mr. Smith's vehicle is very low, the maximum height from the ground being 3ft. 2in., while the widest part of the body is only 19in. across. The total length of the car is 26ft., with a wheelbase of 13ft. 4in. and a track of sft. The whole of the mechanism is protected by an underlay of armourplate, which gives a clearance of The car weighs about 70001b. Speciallybuilt tyres capable of a speed of 310 miles an hour are being provided.

Three factors make Mr. Smith confident that he has an excellent chanco of beating the record. Ilis engine is ono of the most efficient units in the world, developing far greater power than that of the "Golden Arrow." The tyre manufacturers have assured him that the tyres they have designed are capable of over 300 miles an hour, while the Ninety Mile Beach is considered more -suitable for high speeds than Daytona Beach.