NO SCHNEIDER CUP RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20970, 5 September 1931, Page 11

NO SCHNEIDER CUP RACE.

POSTPONEMENT IMPOSSIBLE BRITAIN WILL FLY ROUND. MARVELLOUS NEW ENGINES. WORLD RECORD EXPECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received September 4, 7.15 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY. Sept. 3. The reasons given by Franco and Italy for requesting a postponement of the race for the Schneider Cup for at least six months, or otherwise they would withdraw from the contest, were bad weather, had luck, loss of pilots and loss of aircraft. The application was considered by the Royal Aero Club, and subsequently it was announced that the club had sent letters to the Aero Clubs of Italy and France, informing them that the rules of the contest would not allow of a postponement and the committee had no option but to refuse the requestAs the race must be held the British pilots will fly round the course on September 12 and will, it is certain, set up a, new record. This, following her two previous victories at Venice in 1927 and Southampton in 1929, will give Britain the right to retain the Schneider Cup permanently. Later an attempt will probably bo made to beat the world speed record set up after the last race by Squadron-Leader Orlebar. In aeronautical circles satisfaction is expressed at the ability of the British aircraft industry in spite of the lateness of the British decision to take part in the race, to produce the new " wonderplanes" as the high-speed pilots havo christened them. Reports on their performance have no doubt convinced the Italians and French that it would be useless to enter the machines at present available for their teams. One of these, a Vickers supermarine Rolls-Royce seaplane, already in the course of the training flights, has reached a speed of 405 miles an hour. This may be compared with the speed at which the last Schneider Cup race was won by Fly-ing-Officer Waghorn, 328 miles an hour. It is believed that engine experts in every country will be astonished when the statistics of the performance of the new Rolls-Royce racing motors, which are fitted to these seaplanes, are published. The engines fitted to the 1929 seaplanes developed 1900 horse-power continuously throughout the race, although throttled below the maximum power. This year the power unit has been considerably increased. FORFEIT OF £9OOO. FRENCH AND ITALIAN ENTRIES HEAVY COST TO BRITAIN. (Received September 4, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3. Under the rules of the Schneider Cup contest France and Italy must forfeit £ISOO for each machine entered. As both countries entered three machines they will j forfeit £9OOO between them. " It is understood that the total sum expended by Britain on material and high speed development in preparation for the event is about £150,000. CHALLENGE TO AIRMEN. j OFFER BY LADY HOUSTON. NEW TROPHY AND £IOOO. (Received September 4. 5.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3. Lady Houston, commenting on the Schneider Cup race, says: "In order to show that I am not downhearted if Britain wins by a walk over I will challenge airmen throughout the world to another race, to be called the Houston Trophy race, and will give £IOOO to the winner." When there wa3 some doubt whether Britain would compete in this year's race for jhe Schneider Cup, Lady Houston on .January 30 telegraphed to the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, guaranteeing the £IOO,OOO -necessary for Britain's participation in the contest. The ardour of Lady Houston for Britain to retain the trophy is illustrated by a j message she sent to Sir Philip Sassoon, I president of the Royal Aero Club. Sha said: "I beg yon to set things going in- | stantly and to tackle the right person to j give the necessary orders without a j moment's delay. Do it this morning and send the International Air Federation to ! the devil, —Yours impatiently, Lucy j Houston."