WHEELING

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5558, 8 April 1905, Page 14

WHEELING

(By “Austral.”) A feature in the reports of the DelhiBombay Motor Car Trials, as published in the “British Trade journals,” is tho intense dissatisfaction of the majority of the competitors. It is admitted by one of the secretaries of the contest that his committee did not anticipate receiving any entries for the trials outside India, and that tho original rules were based on that assumption. When the entry list became swollen with the names of largo oars from Great Britain, the rules proved inadequate. Trade interests prevailed in the committee, and matters became acrimonious. To use the language of Mr Hill, the secretary quoted, “the whole thing was a trade trial promoted by a certain car company, and seemingly run in its interests.” Protests were lodged against the winners, .jab without success, and challenges were tho order of the day. The “Times of India” is very outspoken in reporting tho trial, remarking that the decision given in. favour of a certain car caused as-' tonishmenf. It also asserts that the whole business of judging was in tho hands of most inexperienced persons, and that the whole concern will do lar-more harm than good to automchl-

fism in l India. Rather drastic criticism this. At the croafc Olympia Show, recently hold in T/ondon, the bnnlop Tyro Company exhibited tho first pneumatic tyre over made. f l Ins was made nndci Thompson’s patent in 18-15, and fitted to a conch wheel. With this relic was shown tho latest pattern of Dunlop motor tyros used in tho hist GordonHrnne.f,t raco by Hr. Jarrott and Air Girling. Thoso tyres came through ho ordeal without tho slightest mishap. Tho big Indian trial of cars, wo arc informed, was not a speed test. Tho maximum speed allowed as_ the average of a day’s run was only thirty miles an honrl Contrast this with tho ltd lability Tost recently held in Australia. Tlnrty-throo cars started on tho 900 mile journey to Bombay, over roads reputed to ho good, and twenty-one finisher!. The chid difficulties were said to bo tyro troubles. In many eases mechanical defects were apparent, hut it is always easier to blame oho tyre for a stoppage. In tho SydnoyAlolbourno tost, tho cars and tyros had to copo with sand, wash-outs, open fords and roads, described by Mr Gliddon, who has motored round tho world,

“tho vilest he has struck in any c’rilised countryyet tho percentage of survivors was bettor, and tho tyres camo through with flying colours. Details of the motor racing on that fine stretch of firm, white sand on the .Florida Beach, known as tho OrraondDaytona track, are now to hand. Arthur McDonald, a young Britisher just out d liis teens was tho hero of the meet. Driving a six cylinder Napier car, ho cut out tho mile in 34 2-sscc, a kilometre in 23sec, and five miles from a standing start in 3min 17soc. This Was in open competition, with some of the most experienced motorists of both hemisphere;-. Despite his youth, McDonald, after his fine effort, was described by tho Yankee reporters as tho “English crack," although they had previously talked largely of American cars, drivers, and ingenuity as hoijig tho best in tho world

“A little more taot, and a great deal more knowledge of the manner in which n motor trial ahonld be oondnotad, and the situation would have been earned. Unfortunately, both these needful qualities wore lacking, and when next India invites motor car competitors to n motor car trial, it is to be sincerely hoped that trade interests will be subservient to true testa, and that it will be made quite clear at the outset what is intended and upon what basis the prizes will he awarded.” This is the criticism of the “Autocar,” the lending British authority, on the DelhiJiornbay Contest. Jnst here it is pertinent, and nothing more than fair, to recall the work done in organising the recent successful Reliability Test between Sydney and Melbourne. No such comments could apply to that contest, for every condition and detail was carefully thought out long before the date of entering; sectional maps of the ■route, with description of roads and obstacles were printed; controls established : supplies of petrol arranged; and housing of competitors attended to. As a result there were no complaints, and ■even those who were disappointed are lond in their praise of the method and organising ability shown by Mr H. B. James.

It should be clearly understood that the conditions, as framed by Mr James, wero distinctly original, and, it is more than probable, will serve as a pattern In other countries. They worked well, but the creation was by no means an easy matter. Prior to the event there Was much difference of opinion among motorists on several points, but now that a practical test has been applied, there is a concensus of opinion in favour of the conditions laid down. or_only one point is there any difference—the vexed one of speed. This was foreseen, hut the Dunlop Company was firmly against racing on public roads, and therefore the pace set was not nearly ns fast as that sanctioned in the Dolhi-Bombay race. That the good and painstaking work done by Mr H. B. James is fully appreciated by motorists, is evidenced by the enthusiastic support given by members of. the Automobile Club to the proposal of a testimonial to him.

Among the tumours of the Delhi ride may bo mentioned the car which oamo in three hours late at one stage, and reported a “non-stop run.” “What I no stop?” “No,” said the observer, “but we had to get off and push her up all the hills.” It will not he surprising to hear that a fresh warning to “observers” was issued on the following day. One of the cans, kerosene propelled, afforded endless fun, bat the owner stuck to his post bravely, and, although he usually came in several hours after everyone else, he did come in, and was ultimately awarded a special prize.