WHEELING

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1626, 29 April 1903, Page 32

WHEELING

(By “A-ustral.")

“Major" Marshall, the coloured American cyclist, passed through Wellington on Saturday last en route to Sydney by the Warrimoo, from south. lie reports having secured a few second and third places, and although the trip was not of a very profitable nature lie is well satisfied with the results. He speaks in glowing terms of the hospitality of the Christchurch clubmen in particular, and states that never in liis long career as a racing cyclist lias he been treated so royally as at the Canterbury city. He will ton Northern Queensland, returning to Sydney and Melbourne for next season, after which he may be expected in Maoriland again. Although there is little doubt that the necessary permission will be granted bv the English Imperial Government to allow the running of the classic GordonBennett motor race in Ireland, in July next, information of the actual passing of the Bill to legalise the contest is awaited with interest through out the world, and should be cabled through in the course of a few days. England now holds the cup, won by S. E. Edge, and should the necessary permission be forthcoming the benefit to En gland's automobile industry, which is- now estimated at over eight millions per annum, will be well nigh incalculable. England, France, Germany, and America Avill each be represented by three cars, so that the contest will be between twelve or the most powerful automobiles in the world. Should the Bill fail to go through the race Avill be held over French roads before August. ■ Count ZboroAVski. a Avell known Continental racing motorist, recently lost his life AA'hile competing at the Nice (Italy) Carnival. It appears that the Count, who drove one of tlie most poAverful racing cars in Europe. Avas taking part in a time test on the road Avlren, from some cause lie dashed full tilt into a rock Avliilst the car Avas travelling at sixty miles an hour. Both Count ZboroAVski and his mechanician Avere killed on tlie spot. The deceased sportsman drove Avith considerable success in several of tlie big Continental motor races last year —his most notable performance being his second to Renault in tlie great Paris to Berlin race last June., Some feAV months back a Melbourne firm Interested in the- cycle trade decided to give an Australian rider three months' prosper training behind up-to-date motor pacing Avitli a vieAV of seeing Avliat an Australian could do when properly coached and trained. The rider selected as tlie most promising AA r as tlie Tasmanian crack, Frank Beauchamp, Avho showed good form last January by defeating P. Dicken tin aim in a match at the Melbourne Exhibition Building. Beauchamp opened liis campaign on Australasian records 011 the Sydney Cricket Ground on tlie 3rd inst. and Avas successful in putting up a great ride, by reducing T. Robl's one mile record by one and* one-fifth seconds; the neAV figures being linin 27 l-ssec. Tlie Tasmanian crack also secured five other records, Avhe-n his ride Avas brought to an abrupt ’ stop by his touching the back wheel of the pacing motor and falling, fortunately Avith out serious injury. Beauchamp is riding a. machine geared to one hundred and thirty, and will make further attempts on all records shortly. PolloAving are the neiv times:—Quarter mile in 21 2-3 sec, half-mile in 43 3-5 sec three-quarters in lmin ssec, mile in linin 27 l-ssec. three miles in 4min 4S 4-5 sec, and four miles in 6iiiin 21 I—fisec. _ It is surprising how very common it is now-a-days for a bicycle to be out of alignment Avithout the knoAvledge of the rider. This not only affects the- steering and causes r!ir. but a-lso sets up a

considerable amount of A\'ear in the tyres. If your machine shows. any tendency to run to one side, it is a sure sign that the Avheels don't track. The best and cheapest remedy is to take your cycle to a first class mechanic. Paul Kramer, of America, said to be the champion sprinter of the Avorld, and “Major" Taylor’s superior, is to race on tho Continent during the coining season. It is unlikely that these two cracks Avill meet during their Parisian season as they are engaged by opposition tracks; Kramer being engineered by the proprietors of the Parc des Princes track, whilst our visitor, Taylor, will race at the Buffalo. 1 ff 111-fortune seems to dog “Bobby Walne's- tracks, for during the present season he has had nothing but n series of mishaps. culminating in a rather serious accident at Adelaide on* the 2nd inst. It appears that Walne and Morgan were rompng, Avhilst proceeding to the Adelaide Oval for training purposes, when Walne slipped and fell _ heavily on the paA-ement, fracturing his kneecap. Medical attendance Avas quickly secured, and an operation successfully performed. Walne av ill now have to take a lengthy spell off the track. It is to be sincerely hoped that Walne's' injuries Avill not necessitate his permanent retirement from the racing arena in Avhich he is such a public favourite. “Major" Taylor competed at the Melbourne Druids’ sports gathering Avhich were held . at the Exhibition track on Easter Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday with considerable success. Tliis av ill probably be the last appearance of the crack American sprinter in Victoria. The autumn meeting of the League of South Australian Wheelmen Avas advanced a further stage on the afternoon of the Ist inst.. Avhen another big croAvd watched Taylor defeat the best of Australian cracks. Consequent on tlie American's fine riding on tlie previous Saturday bo Avas penalised fifteen yards behind scratch in the Morgan Stakes, a mile handicap, but even tliis did not stop him. for he Avon easil.y by lengths from G. Farley (65yds) and B. Rolfe (50yds) in 2min 4-ssec. Taylor also gave a fine exhibition of riding in the American Whirl, a half-mile handicap. The Yankee started from ten yards behind scratch and made a great effort to overhaul Scheps (45yds), avlio lasted long enough to Avin by a length from the fast-finisliing darkle, with Morgan third. The time. 56 4-ssec, was exceptionally fast. Taylor's ride Avould nearly equal 55scc. J. Chalmers (New Zealand) showed improved form by winning the Ewe Miles- Invitation Scratch Race- from Morgan and Walker. _ Time, 11 min 1 8-ssec. The meeting Avhich Avas to haA’e been brought to a conclusion on Die 4th inst.. had unfortunately to be postponed OAving to .heavy rain, and avrs to have been held on Wednesday afternoon. the Bth inst. The National Cycling Association of America has placed the foUoAving restrictions on motor pacing machines used under their jurisdiction for the next three years: —No xiacing machine, single or double, must exceed sixteen inches in width, excepting handlebars, pedals or foot-rests, tlie latter not to extend over tAventv-four inches; the back tyre neA T er to be less than three inches, in diameter; Avhilst each machine must lie fitted Avitli a roller tAventy-three inches Avide at back of machine to prevent the pace-follower from crashing into back Avlieel. The idea of restricting the Avidtli of tanks., etc., on machines is to preA'ent the- use of abnormal sized tanks Avhich acted practically tlie same as Avind shields.