MOTORISTS' TRIAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23276, 20 February 1939, Page 12

MOTORISTS' TRIAL

TEST OF RELIABILITY CONTEST ON VARIED ROUTE VICTORY FOR MR. A. - GOSS The ability of over 50 motorists to handle their cars in an expert manner, and the stamina of the cars themselves, were testejl to the utmost in the New Zealand Motor-Racing Drivers' Association's 250-mile reliability trial on Saturday. The route included concrete highways and remote country roads rough of surface and steep of grade, and, with the average speeds stipulated for the different sections, it proved a first-class test. The winner was JMr. A. Goss, of Auckland, driving an Austin Big Seven, who lost only 16 points out of the 300 with which each driver started. The other successful drivers were Mr. J. R. Jones (Chevrolet), lost 21 points; Mr. P. R. Hutt (Ansaldo), lost 22; Mr. W. 11. Parsons (Sunbeam), lost 25; and Mr. L. M. Grieves (Vauxhall), lost 28. Prizes in a special general knowledge test conducted by the firm of R. M. Grierson, Limited, in conjunction with the trial, were won by Mrs. B. Robinson and Mr. W. R. G. Gilmore. The prizes were presented at a dance held at the Ritz Cabaret, Rotorua, after the trial, by Mr. W. A. McLean, town clerk of Rotorua. Oars In Two Classes Divided into two classes, those of 12 horse-power and more and those of less than 12 horse-power, the cars ,were sent away singly at two-minute intervals, commencing from the Auckland Railway Station at six o'clock on Saturday morning. Drivers in the two classes were required to average different speeds, the smaller cars being given the advantage of a slightly lower speed. From the city, the course, which had not been announced in advance, took drivers along the Great South Road and over the old Razorback Hill route. On a particularly steep and loose section, well remembered by motorists who travelled that way a few years ago before the Bombay Deviation was opened, a stop and restart test was held, and this resulted in m«*iy penalties, some of the smaller sliding sideways in the loose metal as the drivers tried vainly to start smoothly and without wheel-spin. , Kaimai Hills Crossing The Great South Road was left at Ohinewai, and drivers followed a round-about route to Morrinsville, and then to Tauranga. The crossing of the Kaimai Hills, at an average speed of 26 miles an hour, proved extremely difficult for some of the drivers, and one at least, whose brakes had shown signs of weakening and which failed in a remote locality, arrived at Tauranga on time, but with his skill and nerves both sorely tried. After lunch at Tauranga, the cars continued along the coast road to Matata, and then followed the old clay route to Rotoma. This was the most difficult section, although the speed required was very low, and a number of competitors lost their way, finally rejoining the Rotorua-Whaka-tane highway miles from the point selected. Freedom From Accidents

In the final stages, an acceleration and braking test was held on a paved road, and on checking in at Rotorua each driver was required to hand his car over to experts for examination. Many points; were deducted for defects that" had developed during the run, although with one exception the starters all reached their destination. Reports from officials, in charge of secret checks at various points revealed that nearly all the competitors had varied from the required average at one stage or another, and more marks were deducted. The trial, which was by far the most difficult and arduous held by the association, was entirely free from accidents. A high standard of skill was commented upon by the officials, who also praised the road courtesy shown by the drivers of slow cars in allowing competitors in faster machines to pass and so maintain their schedule, even at the cost of having to stop themselves in difficult places and so sacrifice further time. Mechanical Defects

Mechanical defects took fairly heavy toll, although the majority of points lost were either for losing the way, which was in places difficult for strangers to follow, or for reaching checkingplaces too late. The winner, who had one of the smallest cars in the trial, was congratulated by the chairman, Mr. RA. Dexter, jun., and the vice-chair-man, Mr. R. M. Grierson, on his outstanding and a similar tribute was paid to Mr. Hutt, _ who gained a place although he was driving a veteran car.