MOTORISTS' RALLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21572, 17 August 1933, Page 15

MOTORISTS' RALLY

CONTEST FOR ENTHUSIASTS TEST OF DRIVING ABILITY The ability of drivers will\e tested thoroughly in the rally to bo held on Sunday under the auspices of tho New Zealand Motor Racing Drivers' Association. There will be about 25 competitors, who will be required to adhere to a strict and rather complicated schedule throughout a day's run of some 150 miles. The entries include several teams of three or more cars, between which exceptionally keen competition is expected. The organisers have made conditions somewhat difficult by making it nec.r>«sary for competitors t6 calculate for themselves the time at which they must arrive at each check in order to avoid loss of marks. At each'cheek, drivers will received advice as to tljeir margin of error up to that stage, the average speed required for tho next stage of the trip, and the distance to be covered. From this data they will bo obliged to work out the time they are duo, a, task that will probably cause a deal of hasty calculation by both drivers and £heir passengers. Observers are not allowed to assist in this or in any other manner. An acceleration and braking test will be held over a distance of 200 yards on a tar-sealed surface. Drivers will start on receiving a flag, stop astride a line 100 yards along the road, restart on being givon a second flag, and continue the trial without stopping at the end of the second 100 yards. Although all cars are being run in the one class, different standards have been set for machines of various sizes in the acceleration and braking, and marks will be awarded or deducted according as to whether drivers improve on or fall below tho standard.

After lunch an easy-starting test will be conducted. Drivers will bef seated in their cars, and, on being given a signal, will be required to have their motors running anjJ. their cars moving within five seconds. There will also bo a stop and restart test on a loosesurface hill, points being deducted for stalling, running back, or excessive wheel-spin. Competitors'should also note that it i 3 a strict condition of the trial that engines must not be stopped except in checks.

MOTORING CONFERENCE The annual conference of the automobile associations of tho North Island will commence in the Auckland ElectricPower Board's rooms to-day, and will he attended by delegates to the North Island Motor Union. A number of matters of interest to motorists will be discussed prior to representations being made to tho Government. The following officers will represent the various organisations:—Messrs. W. A. O'Callaghan, president; J. H. Edmundson, vice-president, Hawke's Bay; Dr. E. E. Porritt, vice-president,. Wanganui. Executive committee: Messrs. V. Duff, Taranaki; D. McFarlane, Wanganui; N. H. Mackie, Manawatu; It. W. Roydhouse, Wairarapa; A. Grayson, Auckland." Delegates: Messrs. F. G. Farrcll, A. A. Diiinan. J. R. Self, J. A. Gillett, G. W. Hutchison, Auckland; A. J. Toogood, W. A. Sutherland, E. A. Batt, E. Palliser. H. W. Shortt, Wellington; R. T. Jaggard, Manawatu; W. C. Weston. Taranaki; R. M. Chadwick, Hawke's Bay; N. C. C. Shephord, Wairarapa; N. R. Bain, F. J. Hill, Wanganui; W. T. Guild, F. Amoore, Taranaki: W. O. Williams, G. A. Carter, South Taranaki; W. G. Walkley, secretary North Island Motor Union.

THE FRENCH GRAND PRIX There was a sensational finish to the 27th Grand Prix of the Automobilo Club do Franco, which was held last month over the Montlhery Road and track circuit near Paris. The winner was Campari, the noted Italian driver, whoso Maserati beat Etancelin's AlfaRomeo by a narrow margin. prominent British racing man G. E. T. Evston ft'iis third with an Alfa-Romco, being a, lap behind Campari, who averaged 81.49 miles an hour. There were only three makes of cars in the 19 starters, thero being 12 Alfa-Romeos, five Bugattis and two Maseratis, each driven by an expert, Nuvolari, the 1932 European racing champion, had poor luck, two cars tailing under him bofore he retired. Competition was keen between Campari and Etancelin throughout, but it seeihed that tho Frenchman could not fail to win when tho tyres of the Maserati began to show ominous white patches in tho 37fch lap. He called at tho pits, changed both rear wheels, and was off in a flash, driving at great speed in spite of tho rain that made the surface slippery. With only three laps to go, Campari was 26s behind Etancelin, who pushed his Alfa to tho limit trying to shake off his opponent. On tho iast lap tho Frenchman was still ahead, but the spectators were astonished to see tho Italian's red machine leading when the two cars again camo into view, Etancelin, after driving magnificently, -meeting engine trouble in tho last lap and losing first place by a matter of seconds.