MOTOR & CYCLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7110, 23 April 1910, Page 12

MOTOR & CYCLE

UP-TO-DATE EOAUMAK3NG. Much attention has been directed to a recent experiment in roadmaking in England —a matter of interest to cyclists and motorists in this part of the world. Tho new system of construction is the invention of Mr Q. Henderson, of Traro (AA'ales), who claims that his mode of roadmaking makes for resilience, absence of dust and noise, and can be used over the top of old roads. The method in question consists in spiking down on the roadway sheets of expanded steel, similar to those so widely need for tho reinforoement.of concrete, and laying over these a depth of 2in of ordinary road material treated with ooal-tar, the latter being rolled’well in. Expanded steel is obtained by passing solid sheets of mild steel through a' machine which cuts siits at regular intervals while the sheet: is forcibly expanded, the result being a largo sheet of diamond-shaped netting. AVhen used in conjunction’ with properlyprepared tar and crushed stone, it is contended, as tho result of the experiments already made, that it will give a road a surface of remarkable endurance A WORLD’S ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP, Tho suggestion has been made in Eng, land that on. the occasion of the world's cycling championship to be held in London in ISll' n road championship event should bo organised to decide tne road champion of tho world. The idea has found favour in English cycling circles, arid, although road racing is illegal in England, an effort will probably be made to get special permission to hold such a contest, failing which the race would more than likely be bold in the Isle of Man—the scene of many fine motor contests for tho “Tourists’ Trophy." Leon Merdit (Eng.), five times winner of the world’s long-distance • amateur track championship, when interviewed on the subject, stated that he thought the idea a splendid one. He suggests that to obviate competitors being thrown out of the race through cither machine or tyro troubles a fast motor-car be allotted to each two or three competitors for the purpose of carrying spare machines tyres, etc. The probabilities are that tho race if held would be vmpaoed. Should the English authorities succeed in getting such an event launched and made part of the annual world's cycle championship programme the event would be one of particular interest to Australasian road riders, for there is little doubt but that arrangements would lie made to ensure this country being suitably represented. In Australia and Now Zealand we have some of the finest road rulers in the world (their performances in tho great Dunlop road race from W’arnia inbool to Melbourne have demonstrated that), and such an event as proposed would provide an excellent op, portunity of seeing what our craok riders are capable of when pitted against th» world’s best.