THE MILLE MIGLIA

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

THE MILLE MIGLIA

GREAT ITALIAN RACE SUCCESS OF BRITISH CARS The brilliant success of two British M.G. Magnetto cars, driven by Mr. G. E. T. Eyston and Earl Howe, in finishing first and second in the 1100 c.c. class in the Mille Miglia, tiie Italian Thousand INlilos race, followed a period of intensive practice over the notoriously difficult course. Tho race, which is generally recognised to bo one of tho most gruelling in the world, is run over ordinary roads, through towns and cities, and OA'er difficult mountain sections. The cars used are typical road-racing machines, equipped with mudguards, and, of course, with powerful headlights, which alone mako it possible for the drivers to maintain their extraordinary averages in the dark. In such nil event, orery component of tho car is given a gruelling test, and stamina counts for quite as much a? sheer speed. A high maximum is naturally essential, but powerful brakes, a motor that wiil stand a thrashing, good tyres and a stout framo are also of great importance. Some of the world's most noted drivers take part each year. Earlier in the your tho British team went to Italy to study the conditions and to practise on tho course. They took an M.G. Magnetto with them, and thoroughly tested the little car over the route. During their visit the drivers were presented to the King of Italy and Signer. Mussolini, were 'made honorary members of the Italian Club, \isited the famous Ferrari racing stable, and attended official functions as the guests of Borzacchini, the noted driver, and the Maserati people. Their rivals in tho race, whom they outstripped with ease, were supercharged four-cylinder Fiats, a Maserati, Sahnsons and Amilcars. Tho M.G. Magnetto, which was introduced only recently, is a sixcylinder super-charged car of 1100 c.c. It has a four-speed pre-selectivo gearbox.

AUCKLAND CLUB AT MURIWAI An enjoyable holiday was spent by somo 25 members of the Auckland Motor-cycle Club, who camped at Muriwai during Easter. Several fast machines were brought to the beach by enthusiastic owners, and speed trials were held. Although the beach was never really suitable for fast work, D. M. Robinson was timed at 82.3 miles an hour with his 500 e.c. Royal Enfield and side-car. Riding the same machine solo, C. Goodwin reached 93 miles an hour. MENDING SMALL PUNCTURES The way to mend a small puncture without a patch is first to rasp the hole into the shape of a crater and then thoroughly to solution it. While this solution is drying spread a thin layer of solution, over a piece of glass —the headlamp front will serve. When this is dry scrapo it off with a penknife, knead it into a ball and press it into the little crater formed around the hole in tho tube. This produces a quite satisfactory and permanent repair, but is effective, of course, only in the case of very small holes. LIGHT FOR PEDESTRIANS A demonstration was given one night recently in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris, by an inventor, who has designed a luminous armlet for pedestrians, Tho "brassard luminous" has a whito light in front, green at the side, and red at the rear. Jt is lighted from a pocket dry cell, and is intended for those obliged to walk at night on country roads much used by motor vehicles. The demonstration made a very favourable impression. NOTES Tho temperature of sparking plug electrodes often exceeds 700 degrees C. Nearly three-quarters of tho world's motor vehicles are in uso in the United States. The lato H. Lo Vack held tho honour of having attained the world's fastest motor-cycle speed no less than four times. Plans are being made for the construction of a new motor road which will shorten the distance between Milan and Munich by 125 miles. It provides for a tunnel under the San Bernadino Pass, which is often blocked with snow ill the winter. In future all A.A. (England) roadside telephone boxes are to bo provided with a small drinking trough for dogs. Motorists who take thtfir pets with them on\ their tours will now bo able to find them a drink without having to send tho animals down to somo stream which usually results in muddy paws and dirty upholstery. What is claimed to bo a new motoring record for Nyasaland was set up recently by Mr. St. John Sutherland, who drove a Morris Minor from Mandala Garage, Blantyre, to Mandala Store, Zomba, and back, in 1 hour 52 minutes. The average speed throughout was 43 miles an hour. Car thefts have increased to such an alarming degree that the German Government has been obliged to issuo an emergency decree, which, even if it is unsuccessful in preventing this form of crime entirely, will, at any rate, render it a hazardous calling. At present there is no registration book in use in Germany. Organisations have existed, on n large scale, where stolen ears were received, rebuilt and repainted, and then sold under other identification marks. Penalties are increased, particularly Jtor those who plead "joy-riding."