JUNIOR T.T. RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20902, 18 June 1931, Page 16

JUNIOR T.T. RACE.

FINE WIN FOR NORTON.

Onco again misfortune has overtaken tho Dominion's representatives in tho Isle of Man T.T. races, both Ben Bray and Howard Tolley having to retire with machine trouble in the Junior. Neither rider took part jn tho light-weight yesterday, but both are scheduled to ride in tho senior to-morrow. It is to be hoped that they will meet with more success for although no serious hopes are entertained of their being placed, the opinion is general that one or both might, by steady riding, manage to annex one of the coveted replicas. Although only tho barest results of the Junior have conio to hand, P. Hunt evidently rode a great race to win at 73.94 miles an hour with his 350 c.c. Norton. It is understood that tho machine was one of tho overhead-camshaft type. How the other competitors fared is at present a matter for conjecture. It was generally known, however,, that tho Rudge people were making a great effort to repeat their performance of last year, when their machines finished first, second and third. The Velocetto team was also mounted on new and very fast models, which were expected to do great things on the Island. There were 47 entries for tho Junior, but no foreign machines were entered, although several overseas riders took part. Mario Ghersi, the uoted Italian competitor, was mounted on a New Imperial. Tho official list was as follows: —Velocette, 14 machines; Rudge, 6; Norton, 5; A.J.S., Excelsior, Raleigh and Catton, 3 each; New Imperial, 2; S.G.S., 0.K., Supreme, Diamond, Newmount and Douglas, 1 each. Tho offieial Norton team consisted of P. Hunt, S. Woods, J, H. Simpson and J. Guthrie. Following is a table showing tho Junior results since 1925: m.D.b. 1925 W. L. Hand ley (Rex-Acme) . . 65.02 192f> —A. Bennett (Velocette) .. .. 66.70 1927 F. "W. Dixon (H.R.D.) .. .. 67.19 3928 —A. Bennett. (Velocette) . . . . 68.65 1929 F. G. Hicks (Velocette) . . , 69.71 1930 H. G. Tyrrell-Smith (Rudge) .. 71.08 SILENT MACHINES. One of the most noticeable features of tho recent London Land's End Trial was tho very pleasing one that almost every ono of tho competing motor-cycles was reasonably silent. Both on the observed hills and along the route many favourable comments on the silence of the machines were passed by spectators, which is especially interesting in that this particular trial affords a mental comparison between car and motor-cycle. It would seem that at long last wo havo reached the point when a motor-cycle, properly handled, is free from the objection of noise—a very grave objection, incidentally, for it has done incalculable harm to the movement. This, however, does not mean that designers can afford to relax their efforts. A still higher degree of silence is required, for motor-cycles must be silent in the hands of novice as well as expert.. And the reduction of exhaust noise has' tended to throw into relief mechanical clatter, which, being both irritating to tho rider and aural proof of wear and tear, must be eliminated. Tho silencing of motor-cycles is, therefore, still a problem, but it is one which, we are happy to say, is being tackled with skill, thoroughness and marked success

AUCKLAND RIDER OVERSEAS. News from Alf. Mattson, the Auckland cinder-track rider, who holds both Auckland and New Zealand championships, has been received in Auckland. Ho made his first appearanco at Belle Vue and was extremely impressive. He defeated such well-known performers as Eric Langton, Len Woods arid Max Grosskroutz, and was going well with the redoubtablo "Squibs" Burton in the final when a broken steering head caused him to slow down. Jack Garmson is at present acting as mechanic to Mattson, who is using Budgo machines.

TO AVOID TROUBLE. There are a number of adjustments to bo done and precautions against trouble to be undertaken before setting out in anticipation of a trouble-freo journey. Attention to the following details may save several stoppages on the road. Adjust and lubricate chains; drain and rofill crank case, gear-box and oil tank; inspect brake linings, electric wiring, battery level, Bowden controls and tyres and tubes; check over magneto; lubricate wheel, head and fork bearings; clean carburettor and if necessary, decarbonise and grind valves.

NOTES. During last year only 10,262 motorcycles were exported from the United States, tho number contrasting with 16,265 in 1926 and with 37,622 in 1920. A Mr. Lapsley, of Southampton, still rides an old motor tricycle, although ho has turned 70 years of age. Ho is considering the purchase of a more modern mount, a motorcycle! "Witness said he took a twig from the hedge and upon inserting it into the exhaust pipe found there was a clearance right through to the cylinder, which allowed the gases to escape before exploding."—From a report in an English paper.

It is estimated that the output of motorcycles from German factories amounted during the past year only to roundly 105,000 machines, as compared with 186,000 in 1928. Last year's output thus shows a decrease of 81,000, or approximately 43£ per cont.

Experiments with pillion-riding, which are described in a report of the British Motor-Cycle and Cycle-Car Research Association, indicate that the general conclusions appear to bo that a motor-cycle with pillion passenger is at least as safe as a machine ridden solo.