A.A. ACTIVITIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21471, 20 April 1933, Page 15

A.A. ACTIVITIES

ATTENTION TO HEADLIGHTS SIGNPOSTING IN THE NORTH The patrol staff of the Automobile Association is now busily occupied in the country districts attending to the requirements of members. Particular attention is being paid to the adjustment of headlights, this being an annual activity just prior to the winter. Badly-adjusted or focussed headlights are a source of danger to the drivers of approaching vehicles and there is likely to be somo activity among the traffic authorities l in seeing that this very important section of tho Motor Regulations is given due attention by road-users. Duriug tho week many new signs have been erected on the main highway northward, including a number of now "Please Give iWay" signs at one-way bridges. This sign will establish tho right of way for vehicles approaching the bridge from opposite directions and should do much toward increasing the safety of tho road. Next week work will bo carried out in the Ohura and Matiere districts, where metalling operations necessitate the alteration of the routes from those used last year. In a report tho touring manager mentioned that further co-operation was being extended by various firms in the matter of roadside hoardings, lie said the Bombay deviation was now almost entirely clear of any disfiguring notices and the trip from Papakura to Hamilton was now much more pleasant since a number of the larger and more public-spirited firms had removed their hoardings in view of the wishes expressed by road-users. The report mentioned that it was regrettable that some firms should be adopting the practice of displaying hoardings in similar positions to those from which competitive hoardings had already been removed. The A.A. makes a strong appeal to motorists to co-operate in this matter.

ENGLISH RACING DRIVER The possibility that Auckland's small fleet of genuine racing cars might bo augmented by a new machine next season was mentioned in a letter received by Mr. P. Seabrook recently from Sub-Lieutenant H. Kidston, R.N. In the letter, Lieutenant Kidston said ho had been transferred to H.M.S. Diomede, and would join the vessel in Auckland next August. He was interested in racing, and nsked for particulars of local tracks, and advice as to the most suitable type of car to bring with him. In his reply, Mr. Seabrook gave particulars of the Mangere and Muriwai tracks, and mentioned the activities of the New Zealand Motor Racing Drivers' Association. Ho suggested Lieutenant Kidston should bring with him a fast British car of 1500 c.c. TOLL GATES OPPOSED A proposal to establish toll gates for the purpose of raising funds for the roads in the National Park, New South Wales, has been strongly opposed by the local motoring organisation, the National Roads and Motoring Association, whose views have now been endorsed by tlio Minister of Lands, who recently received a deputation from the association. The Minister said he was absolutely opposed to toll roads. Ho thought it would bo unwise to discourage motorists from visiting national beauty spots, and he was of the opinion that everything should be done to encourage people to go to these resorts. RIGOROUS CHASSIS TESTING After prolonged experiment a famous British firm has evolved what they consider to bo a test which will find any chassis weakness. This form of testing is called a "bumping rig." The front wheels of the chassis are j>laced on two rollers on which are steel bars at different intervals. These rollers are lotated at 105 r.p.m., and as each bar hits the wheel, nnd the two wheels are not hit at the same time, the spring ieceives a terrific jolt. The test is equivalent to driving the chassis over the worst of roads, and each new type of chassis has to stand this for about 100 hours. POLISH ROAD CONDITIONS Only the strongest cars can withstand for long the battering inflicted bv Polish roads, the chassis rivets generally woiking loose in a couple of months, while door openings alter in shape, road springs break radiators spring leaks. Concerns in England wishing to build a good car for the colonial market should send specimens over to Poland, «n the hands of experienced testers, for six months, after which the cars, redesigned as tho result of the gruelling endured, should be fit for service in any part of tho world. CARBURETTER HEATING During cold weather engines have an annoying habit of stopping after being started up, this happening onco or twice before the carburetter attains sufficient temperature to supply a steady mixture of the correct strength. This is duo to the rapid fall in carburetter temperature owing to heat being required for vaporising the petrol, and until a steady flow of hrtat to the carburetter is obtained from the cylinder, or from whichever portion it is attached to, an even mixture is not possible. On vehicles with such a tendency it will often be found a great advantage to remove the existing flange washer, which is usually of the. copper asbestos type, and replace this by one of the same size cut from sheet lead. .1 his offers a much better path for the flow of beat, and often results in reducing the warming-up period.