LAND SPEED RECORDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 15

LAND SPEED RECORDS.

GORMAN SMITH'S ATTEMPTS.

j PLANS FOR ONE-MILE DASH.

'After having successfully attacked the world's 10-mile land speed record, under extreme}/ bad conditions, Mr. Norman Bmith is now awaiting a perfect beach before attempting to improve upon the present figures for the five and one mile events, in which a considerably higher ree d 'is necessary if he is to be successful. Although, when the conditions under which the attempt was made are taken into consideration, Mr. Smith's speed for the 10-miles record is extremely creditable, it gives no indication as to tho capabilities of the racing car, the Fred. JJ Stewart Enterprise, which was never fully extended, and completed the greater part of both runs 011 something less than half throttle. The difficulties under which the driver was racing are indicated by tho very vide margin between the speeds registered in the two runs. It happens usually that when sjich attacks on world's records are made, the speeds for the two runs vary only slightly, but there was a difference df approximately 28 miles an iiour between Mr. Smith's two runs, indicating that the conditions prevented him fiom maintaining anything like an even ppeed. In fact, both runs at the NinetyMile Beach last week were really a series of spuris, the driver making an effort to see through or round tlie windscreen, which was almost entirely obscured by 6 and and water. Statement by the Driver.

Spectators noticed that tlio Enterprise ■was not, maintaining an even spend, and it was obvious to even tho most uri- « piactised eye that the second run was considerably faster than the first. After the attempt, Mr. Smith said his speed had varied 7 from 80 miles an hour at one stage during tho first run, to about 225 miles an hour on tho driest portion during the second run. The few people near the course also heard the engine firing irregularly at times, and imagined that some defect had been tho cause. Mr. Smith explained, however, that the backfiring occurred when ho released the accelerator, as he was frequently forced to do. on account of the extremely bad visibility. It is no wonder that the Australian driver has announced lie will not race the car again until the surface is perfectly dry as well as smooth. If reports from the Ninety-Mile Beach are favourable, Mr. Smith and the officials ■will return during the next few days, snd the next attempt may take place this week-end. If, however, tho driver learns that the surface is not improved, his attempt to break the mile rcpord wili probably be delayed until near tho end of tin's month.

SMUGGLING IN - GEKMANY. Professional smuggling by means of motor vehicles has assumed such proportions that the German Government, has been forced to adopt particularly severe measures against it, especially in view of the fact that of late smugglers have frequently taken recourse to arms for their defence against the police. There is, however, not the least danger of bona-fide motorists being in any way molested if they stop immediately an official signals them. At night the officials carry red lanterps, with which they give the signals by waving. After being allowed f to pass such an official it is advisable to continue for some distance at a slow pace, ,i for. farther, up the_roa.d a wire cable may be stretched across the fairway—undoubtedly an effective, if dangerous, ,nay of stppping the criminal. This, however, will generally bo easy to see, for affixed to its centre is a redbordered flag with five black spots and t a number of "cat's eyes." Also, officials in civilian clothes may be met. These have a green armlet with a brass plate, which they will show on demand for identification purposes.

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP. The driving championship of the Contest Board of the American Automobile Association lias been won by Louis Schneider, who was first in last year's 500-mile race at Indianapolis. The championship is awarded for consistency during the racing season. Second in the list was Fred Frame, with Ralph Hepburn, Russell Snowberger, James Gleason and " Shorty " Carlton next in order. NOTES. The London traffic controlling police number 1278 and cost £450,000 per year. A South London coroner recently appealed for more automatic stop signals as a safeguard for pedestrians. In the United States a very interesting development of white lining roads is being tried. Double lines divide the roads into three lanes except at curves and on hills, and passing is allowed only in the middle lane. The Italian Government has conferred the Order of the Crown <j! Italy upon four famous drivers. G. Campari lias been made a Commander of the Order and T. Nuvolari, Ernesto Maserati and A. Varzi become Officers. Although no definite plans have been made for an American attack on the land Speed record, Ilarlan Fengler. a wellknown racing driver, has high hopes of constructing a car. The projected record breaker is to be powered with a 16cylinder 1500 h.p. engine.