LAND SPEED RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21076, 9 January 1932, Page 8

LAND SPEED RECORDS.

CONDITION OF THE BEACH. IMPROVEMENT ANTICIPATED. THE FIRST TRIAL RUN. CAR MAY BE OUT TO-DAY. [by telegraph.—special reporter.] KAITAIA, Friday. Tho condition of tho Ninety Mile Beach was worse to-day than yesterday, the wind being from the south during the morning, but veering into the west shortly before sunset. The wind showed signs of freshening in the early evening and as spring tides occur to-morrow and on Sunday it is hoped that the beach will become smooth over night as often happens. A peculiarity of the sea which probably is assisting in the deterioration of the surface was noticeable to-day when cross currents in the surf were clearly visible. It is considered that cross currents have a very bad effect on the surface as they scoop out long furrows and also pile up mounds of sand. The sea to-day was very calm, there being hardly any surf on the very day when a heavy sea would probably have improved the beach. Ihe fresher wind has resulted in higher Beas this evening so there is a distinct possibility of tho beach being in good condition to-morrow. Visibility to-day was excellent, it being possible to see Hukatere hill distinctly from a distance of 12 miles. Mr. Norman Smith announced this evening that he would possibly give tho P. H. Stewart Enterprise a run along the beach at low tide to-morrow between the seven and three mile pegs where the surface was smoothed to-day/ but would definitely not attempt any great speed, contenting himself with dawdling along at a mere 60 or 70 miles an hour purely to test the efficiency of the tuning up which was carried out by a large staff of experts to-day. Lubrication Experiments. The supercharged Napier engine has not been started since its arrival in New Zealand, but it will be given a run early to-morrow morning. Experiments made to-day by Mr. Nelson Alcock, lubrication specialist, with the mechanism for heating the oil will result in a* great saving of time in preparing for the attempt. He has now decided to use two electric heaters for each drum of oil, thereby heating the lubricant in an hour instead of two hours as with the single heater in use previously. The timing gear was tested again today over various distances bo that by now the whole length of wire laid for a distance of 10 miles and connecting the track switches has been tried and found faultless.

Two screens of scarlet cloth, each 25ft. long and 4ft. high, were prepared to-day. They will be used to mark the extremities of the course proper and should stand out clearly in comparison with the white flags set - 30yds. apart along the whole course. The red screens will indicate to the driver when he is entering the measured distance and also when he is leaving the actual course, so that he will have something to indicate when to start slowing the car down.

Neither the red screens nor the white flags will be placed in position until a few hours prior to each run, as they will be set well below high-water mark and would be washed away if erected too long in advance. Wheels to be Changed. Stout planks were laid on the 40 yards of soft sand separating the garage from the beach proper to-day to act as a runway for the racing car when either entering or leaving the garage. When an attempt is about to take place the car will be towed from the garage to the north end of the beach with the warm lubricant already in the tanks. At the starting point the wheels will be changed, the road set being removed and replaced by the special racing outfit. The engine will then be started by auxiliary mechanism carried on a motor-truck and the first run will be made southwards. The car will be turned by a second truck until facing northwards. It will finish its second run many miles from the garage, which is at the extreme south end of the course. The tyres will again be changed after the second run, the car returning to the garage under its own power and using the road set of tyres, which have a pattern, while the racing set is absolutely smooth. The last members of the official party arrived to-day, when Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Kelliher, of Auckland, also Messrs. W. and L. Monteith, radiator experts, reached headquarters at Waipapakauri. Mr. Kelliher brought a Rolls Royce car which he will put at the disposal of Mr. Smith on days when he is contemplating attempts. . Mr. Smith will drive over the course in the car and see if the beach is absolutely smooth. Messrs. Monteith will have charge of the cooling system of the racing car. MR. HARKNESS DEPARTS. NO STATEMENT TO MAKE. 0 Mr. 'Don Harkness, designer and builder of the car in which Mr. Smith hopes to beat the world land speed records, left by the Ulimaroa yesterday on his return to Sydney. Ho said ho would probably return to the Dominion in a fortnight. Mr. Harkness said he could not discuss the reason for bis departure. " I am reluctantly compelled to go back to Sydney," ho said. " I want to thank all those who have helped me, and again I wish the Fred H. Stewart Enterprise the best of good luck." He added that he regarded Mr. Smith's attempt on the record as a matter of national importance and for that' reason would refrain from making a statement.