MOTOR AND CYCLE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8187, 31 July 1912, Page 5

MOTOR AND CYCLE.

From Indianapolis, U.S.A., are to hand details of a notable motor-car race decided on a one mile track, when the world record for speed over long distances—the race was of 500 miles —was broken. J. -Dawson, in a National car, scurried over that distance at the rate of 78.72 miles per hour, his time being 6hr 21min 6sec. , The second car, a Fiat, driven by T. Tetzlaff, crossed the line in 6hr 29sec, or at a speed of 7G.62 miles per-hour, ■ while a Mercer car,, having the smallest piston displacement of those participating, averaged 76.27 miles an hour, the driver being H. Hughes. The tremendous pace—we can’t realise it here, unless one in. fancy doubles the fastest speed he has yet seen in this country—played havoc with the competing cars, as out of the 24 that started, 14 succumbed from various causes—fired bearings, broken pistons and cylinder, a capsize or two. while one caught fire, and another cast both rear wheels! A most unfortunate incident occurred three miles from the finish. B. Do Palma, a noted driver, who was piloting a Mercedes ear. was five laps ahead, and had only three moro to go when trouble overtook him. One of the pistons broke, and he was forced to stand and watch Dawson win the big race, and incidentally to pick up prizes to tho value of ,£SOOO.