MOTOR AND CYCLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8181, 24 July 1912, Page 5

MOTOR AND CYCLE

Lor the Taranaki Circular Cycle Road Race the committee have this year drawn up an attractive programme totalling -£125 in cash and .£l3O in trophies. The Britannia Challenge Cup, valued at 50 guineas, for which the race is contested, is held by James Clarke, Palmerston North, whoso winnings last year totalled -£,'o in cash irrespective of trophies. The course covers exactly 100 miles round liount Egmont, starting and finishing at New Plymouth, and the roads aro reported to be in fine condition. The raco t. to be run on Thursday, September sth, and nomination.? close on Saturday, August 10th. It is anticipated that about 150 riders will compete. With so many fine motor cycle tracks in the United States, and the large amount of racing that is conducted upon them, it is not surprising that records continue to bo lowered. It is only a couple of weeks ago that new figures for short din stances were supplied, but the last mail advises that those have also been reduced. The professional records ■are as follows: 1 mile, 38 l-ssec; 5 miles, 3miu 8 2-ssco: 10 miles, 6min 31 4-osec; 15 miles, Dm in 33 l-ssec; 20 miles, 12min 52 4-s&ec; 25 miles. 16min • 27sec, and 30 miles 20min 21 4-ssoc. All by R. Seymour, at Los Angeles. Amateur records are—l mile, 38 3-sseo; 5 miles, 3min 18 Posec; 10 miles. 6min 42soc; aud 15 miles, lOmin 3 Pcseo, by L. Claflin, also at Los Angeles. The French military authorities are engaged in taking a census and making an examination of motor cars and waggons, and also motor-cycles throughout the Republic. All motor owners aro under an obligation to declare their cars to the military authorities, and in certain districts the owners must take their cars for inspection. They are examined by experts, and either are passed as fit for service or rejected. All cars built earlier than 1907 are refused, and those less than 8 h.p. and more than 30 h.p. are considered unsuitable for military service.