BRITISH RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21518, 15 June 1933, Page 3

BRITISH RACING

EVENT AT BROOKLANDS NOTED DRIVER'S SUCCESS British, French and Italian racing cars took part in the International Tourist Trophy event, which was run recently at Brooklands track under tho auspices of the Junior Car Club, over a distance of 261 miles. There were 28 starters, and a terrific struggle ensued between some of tho finest drivers in the country. , Tho cars were divided into three groups, according to engino size, and were handicapped in an ingenious manner. Although they were sent away in a bunch, all tho cars did not follow the same course, artificial corners of difficulty having been created for groups thrco and two at ono part of tho circuit, where tho smallest machines in group ono kept straight on at unabated speed. Trouble was experienced in tho early stages by several competitors, one of tho most formidable, Captain G. E. T. F.yston's "Magic Midget" losing a wheel after three laps. The driver managed to hold his car, but could not continue, while tho wheel bounced across tho track and injured a marshal, who was taken to hospital. Tho holder of the land speed record. Sir Malcolm Campbell, held tho lead with his Sunbeam for several laps, but Whitney Straight, a young Cambridge man, whose Maserati has been prominent at recent Brooklands meetings, flashed past with his black car and led Campbell, the Hon. B. Lewis in a Monza Alfa-Romeo and ,T. Rose-Richards in a "two-three" Bugatti. Straight was driving in masterly fashion, making full use of tho phenomenal acceleration of his Maserati, which was of such an order as to havo tho rear tyres smoking. After only 45 minutes' running, ho had lapped the entire field, but, without warning, his differential failed under tho tremendous strain. The only woman competitor, Mrs. Flsio Wisdom, was particularly steady in her M. G. Magnetto, and ultimately finished third at tho excellent average of 81.24 miles an hour. It was not until Sir Malcolm Campbell called at the pits to hand over to Staniland, his codriver, that Lewis was able to get past. Ka.ve Don, with an extremely fast Bugatti, moved into second plgce, onlv to have a back axlo snap in the 92nd lap, while at the same stage tbe_ Sunbeam's engine failed. These mishaps allowed E. R. Hall to move into second place with his M. G. Magnetto, and lie ultimately finished second to Lewis in tho Alfa. An outstanding feature of tho event was tho success of tho team of three Austins, which took the team prize. Only eight cars finished, the order being as follows: — m.r.n. I—Alfa-Romeo (S). B. E. Tie wis .. 83.07 2—M.G. Maznette (S). E. R. Hall .. 52./7 3—M.O-. Magnetto (S). M*s. Wisdom . fi1.24 4—M.G. Masnette (S). Earl Ilowe . . s—Austin (S), C. Goodacro .. .. '6.03 6—Austin (S). J. R. Barnes .. .. 7—Amilcar (SK H Widensren .. - <3.63 B—Austin (S). L. P. Driscoil . . .. 72.0-1 (S) indicates supercharged. TRANSPORT IN THE SOVIET Transport in the Soviet Republic is one of tho greatest of their problems, all the year round. Waterborne traffic is held up by ice and road traffic is hindered by snow, while railways are entirely inadequate; Yet from every angle efforts aro being made to produce solutions best fitted to widely varving local conditions. The most recent success is the "aero-sledge," which is an ingenious adaptation of the old-time horse sledge, or troika. The aero-sledge is built of steel tubing and angle-iron, with a boatshaped body covered in duralumin. It has front seats for two drivers, with an enclosed cabin seating four persons, fitted with two "unbreakable glass" windows each side and ono in front. Behind tho cabin is mounted the aircooled engine and tho propeller. Steel stays extend to the extreme width of the propeller blades. . The driver's cockpit is open, with engine-control equipment on a dashboard and a steering wheel, like those of a motor-car. The wheel operates on the front skid, by which the sledge is adequately steered. The steel-shod skid is mounted with an eccentric bearing. Plenty ®f clearance is left under tho body for avoiding broken ice or drifts of snow, while tho wide gauge of the back skids operates against easy capsizing. A coiled spring or two help as shock-absorbers. There is a fixed headlight at the front, while another searchlight is movable in the hands of the mechanic, who sits next the driver. Extra luggage can be carried on top as with a taxi. The aero sledges had only to be seen in the Soviet Republic to attain immediate popularity. A PERSISTENT VISITOR An amusing story is told concerning an old car which being hit by a large saloon at a cross-roads in England, was sent down a short inclino, over tho pavement and into a shop window. Nobody was hurt and after tho police had taken the usual details local garage men began to tow tho damaged car out of the shop window at the bottom of the hill. Just as the towers and tho towed reached the cross-roads another ear canje round tho corner and hit the old machine for a second time, severing the tow-rope and sending the unfortunate vehicle back once moro into tho shop window.