MOTOR-BOAT RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 9

MOTOR-BOAT RACE

O . 11 HARMSWORTH TROPHY FIRST HEAT TO AMERICA KAYE DON STRIKES TROUBLE ROUGH WATER AND WIND ————— By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Received September 4, 5.5 p.m.) DETROIT, Sept. 3 The first heat in the motor-boat race for the Harmsworth Trophy was won to-day by Miss America X., piloted by Mr. Gar Wood, who defeated Mr. Kaye Don in Miss England 111. Tho start was delayed half an hour owing to rain. Mr. Don got away in the lead and held it for' moro than half the distance. Then Mr. Wood pulled up and eventually won. The unfavourable weather prevented fast time being made. The winner's average speed was 79.489 miles an hour, and Mr. Don's 71.265.

Mr. Don led for the first 28 miles. Then Mr. Wood opened up and crossed the finishing line almost two miles ahead of tho British boat, which seemed to be in difficulties. The 100,000 spectators seemed to be stunned as Mr. Wood swept over the finishing lino. In spite of Mr. W9od's victory Mr. Don made the fastest lap,

circling the course the first timo round at a speed of 88.685 miles an hour. Mr. Wood's best lap was 87.387 miles an hour. The course was the most unsatisfactory in recent years, the heavy rain and high wind creating nasty seas. The second heat will take place on Monday. After the heat Mr. Don said it was the greatest race in which he had ever driven. The conditions made it somewhat difficult for the competitors. " Unfortunately, during the third lap, we developed two troubles," said Mr. Don. " The first was the throttle control at the carburetter and the starboard engine became detached, only the port engine working after the third lap. Secondly, the overflow pipe for the water circulation of the engine pulled out aud shipped water into the boat instead of overboard. I do want to offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Wood for his magnificent victory. I am looking forward with enthusiasm to the second heat ojl Mopday." Mr, Wood remarked: "We raced just as we had planned and I did not have my boat wide open at any time."

In last year's race for the Harmsworth, or British International, Trophy at Detroit, the first heat was easily won by Miss England 11., piloted by Mr. Kaye Don, at a speed of 89.91 miles an hour. However, in the second heat Miss England overturned, and Miss America VIII (America's second entry) finished the course. The commission governing the contest ruled that the event should be considered " no race," as Miss England and Miss America IX., Mr. Gar Wood's craft, had both crossed the starting lino five seconds too soon and were disqualified. The present world's record is 110.28 miles an hour, established last year by Mr. Don in Miss England 11. on Lake Garda,. Italy. The Harmsworth Trophy was presented in 1903 by the lato Lord Nortlicliffe for international competition.