A.A.A. INTERESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21163, 21 April 1932, Page 13

A.A.A. INTERESTS.

HILL-CLIMB ENTRIES. FAST TIMES EXPECTED. Good entries have been received for the A.A.A. hill climb, to be held at Ilelensville on Saturday afternoon. Four events have been arranged for cars from the ''baby" class up to the open championship, in which machines of any horsepower are eligible. The climb will take place on a clay hill about a mile and a-quarter in length, including hairpin bends and sharp Piaytically the whole of the hill will bd in the view of spectators, and ample space has been provided for the parking of cars lmlf-way up the hill. The scene of the hill climb is just beyond Helensville, and can be reached by travelling through the township or by following a clay road which runs from Kumeu through the valley at the back of Waimauku, and then over some steep grades to the hill overlooking Helensville. Good Test for Drivers. The first event is due to start at 2.15, and the whole programme should be completed in ample time to allow spectators from Auckland to drive back to the city in daylight. In the event of wet weather maKing a postponement necessary, one of the association's patrols will be stationed at the Wluiu Bridge to warn intending visitors.

The entries are notable for the number of small cars included in the list. It will be interesting to see how the light cars, with their small, highly-efficient engines, compare with larger machines with engines of two to four litres capacity. tiear-clianging will play a very important part in the performance of every car, and an indifferent driver in a fast "car will not necessarily defeat an expert in a slower model. Skill in driving will be a very considerable factor, and it would not be surprising to see an enthusiast in a somewhat aged but still road-worthy vehicle, gain a good place. Rules For Competitors.

Oil account or thr large number of entries competitors ure requested to observe the rules carefully in order that there may be no confusion. Competitors are required to be lined up in order at the foot of the hill behind notices which will be erected indicating 'be various classes not later than 2 p.m. for the 850 c.c. class and 2.15 p.m. for the others. Cars returning to the foot of the hill after competing must park beyond the place where competitors are lined up. Cars entered for the championship must be weighed with passenger, if any is to be carried, and must report to the technical engineer of the association at Mr. A. J. Roycroft's garage, Helensville, between 1.15 and 1.45. Any car _ not weighed by the engineer will be ineligible for the championship. Competitors are notified that, all cars must display the registered number as quoted in then entry form.

ADJUSTING HEADLIGHTS. i With the approach of winter, the Autoj mobile Association draws attention to the j need fixing and adjusting the ! headlights of motor-cars. Uniformed I patrols are now travelling throughout the i Auckland Province, visiting many of j the remote districts. There is an impres- | sion among motorists that if their headlights have been adjusted once this should be sufficient, but this is not the case for lights can vary very quickly. A slight knock or bump or even the polishj ing of the lamps when securing bolts • are not sufficiently firm, will be sufficient | to throw them out of adjustment. Everv motorist is advised to have his lights adjusted immediately. 'lt is possible that before long the traffic authorities will carry out raids at night against drivers of cars with glaring headlights. NOTES. The world's supply of petroleum in 1931 was 40,000,000 barrels less than in 1930. It was 12 years ago last month since the decision was reached to institute the horse-power system of taxation for private cars in England. The French trans-sahara technical expedition, to experiment with special motor fuels, particularly vegetable alcohol, palm oil and castor oil, left Algiers recently. When two motorists who had collided at a dangerous corner in England recently got out, and came face to face, they discovered that they worked in ! the same office, were both foremen on ! the same job, and were both responsible for the painting of the white l:nes and j danger signs on the road. Leaders of the French motor industry have evolved a scheme for the destruction of vehicles over 10 years of age. The proposal is to make a pmall levy on every new car and to buy up and scrap those which have reached the age hmit.. By this means it is claimed that it would be possible to eliminate 45,000 cars annually. i The first Yugoslav car factory will soon be erected, and two British firms are competing for the contract. The contract ensures a virtual monopoly for many ! years, and orders for army lorries, vans, buses, and other vehicles needed by the j Government. The output should be about ICOO cars a year, and within five years the factory must be able to produce nil the necessary replacement parts.