THE MOTOR WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20959, 24 February 1930, Page 4

THE MOTOR WORLD.

By ACCELERATOR.

OTAGO MOTOR CLUB—MOTOR CYCLE SECTION. . FIXTURES, March B.—Dirt track racing. . March B.—Hard-up'Social. ** March 19.—Monthly meeting. March 22, 23, and 24.—Club’ run tb Roxburgh. ■ April 5. —Hill climb. April 16,—Monthly meeting. April 26.—piub run to Buckley’s Hill. May 10.—Paperchase. May 21.—Monthly meeting. May 24.—Camberlejr Scramble, June 7. —Speed judging congest. ■ • June 18.—Monthly meeting. June 21.—Sporting trial, 'July 12.-—Club run. THE OUTLOOK. “Reports from the 110 countries with which General Motors Export Division has trade connections give us an excellent picture of current world economic conditions,” says Mr J. D. Mooney, president of General Motors Export Division. .Mr Mooney left New York for the Ear ' East, where he will visit General Motors assembly;; plants in Batavia, Java, Bojnbay, India, and Osaka, Japan, ■ Commenting on the hopeful signs for 1930, Mr Mooney said: — “ Manufacturers have created in the last five years organisations of unparalleled strength;and extent, possessed of incomparable resources in the form of trained, personnel/ physical plant equipment, financial stability;, and dealer goodwill and hence are in , a position to press hard upon any .increased sales opportunities almost the moment they begin to appeal,, ' “ The general world financial position is healthy, one of the best indications of sanity and health being' a noticeable retardation the last quarter qf 1929 in the demand for, passenger automobiles, I say this is healthful because I believe that the world has absorbed passenger cars at a little too rapid a rate in recent' years and has shown a wholesale willingness to catch up with- itself before moving forward, with renewed vigour. “ phis, temporary, and in the long pull sense, relatively unimportant valley ■in the automotive demand, is not due to last, long if history' teaches ,ua anything, because automotive products always have been the last to feel the effects of retardation and the first to stage-a comeback, “ The world demand for commercial vehicles lately has shown an. important increase. The experience of the United States is enough that any appreciable moye to' motorise everyday business hauling cannot help but mean a raising of the general economic level.” MONTE CARLO RALLY. ; _ Cabled news has been received by the Shell Company of the results of the first big European motoring, event of 1930. Tpis is the Monte Carlo rally, which for some time past has been an annual affair. Competitors in this event drive from dis- ’. nt points in Europe and have to arrive in Monte Carlo between certain hours on a scheduled date. ' The winner this year was_ Mons. Hector Petit, driving a diminutive 5 h.p..Licorne. He travelled from Jassy, in Roumania. Madame Dore, in a Chenard Walcher, who also used Shell spirit and triple Shell oil, was the first lud.v to finish having driven from Tallinn, in fEsthonia, thus winning the Coupe des Dames. CERTIFIED MECHANICS. ■/.The scheme,proposed by the Auckland Automobile Association whereby garage mechanics would, after theoretical and practical examinations, receive certificates of competence from the association! appears to present certain disadvantages. * that garages employing one of those certified mechanics will be entiled to display an outside sign giving . a P indication •to members of the -associatibn that' the employed have been approved by the associatidn. - While .members of . the trade who employed a certified mechanic would be able tq display such a sign and would be able to benefit .by improved relations with their’ customers, it docs not appear’ certain that’motorists would derive 1 the advantages ; claimed I for the system; ■ The ’ ow&er : driveii who ijputs his • car* into such a garage for .repairs would have no guarantee 'that ’tHe/bertified' mechanic would be’ put to work on it. " It is conceivable that garages would :attract trade by means .of-the • association sign: when • they had onlyonemap, say,: the foreman, qualified, and. that the repair work would be handed 0V rrvL mechanic for execution* The English : system, adopted by . the A.A., is to give ■ official recognition to garages where the general > work performed is of a high standard, and by this guarantee the motorist is assured of honest work no matter who carries out the required work on his car. SPEED RECORD INTEREST. It seems as though America will not make any attempt to wrest the World’s land speed record from England at the fD ay tons, meeting (U.S.A.) next March. In this connection an American paper says:t, Interest appears to be keener.in Great Britain regarding the world record than in the United. States, a condition that is deplored by, many,' At the present time there'are no plans being made by Americans, so far as is definitely known, to go after'.this record; however, there are some rumours to the effect that a car will be built, perhaps within the next year, to be used in an effort to bring-the speed title back, to America.” Thus it would appear that failing the ruipoured . entry of Herr von Benz (Germany), the only contestant for the title Will be Kaye Don, the British racing motorist, with his twin-engined 4000 h p. Dunlop-shod “Silver Bullet,” recently constructed by the Sunbeam Motor Car Company, (England. According'to the rules of the American Automobile Association these trials at Daytona Beach have to be made between March 1 and 15, A movement is afoot to erect a monument af Daytona Beach, Florida, to commemorate the various speed records which have been attained there since 1898, when Chassaloup-Laubat, a Frenchman, averaged a speed of 39 ni.p.h, for a mile. It is proposed to erect the monument on one of the small islands in the Halifax River, which separates the beach from the mainland. The names of all those who have made records are to ‘be inscribed. ■ NORMAN SMITH’S TYRES. During its appearances on the Ninety iMile Beach the 500 h.p. Rolls-Royce-Cadil-laccar in which Mr Norman “Wizard” Smith established a new world’s record for 10 miles, and raised the Australian and New Zealand mile record, attracted a great, deal of attention, and much of this was centred on the tyres. The most striking feature was the total absence of any tread, the tyre being absolutely smooth, without any pattern. The result was that when the car was travelling at its highest speed it left tracks no wider than those of a racing motor cycle, the whole weight of the car being carried on a strip in the centre of the tyre not two inches wide. The smooth surface of the rubber and the absence of any protuberances prevented any drag on the wet sandj and it was estimated at the time that there was less than I per cent, loss of efficiency from this or any other cause.

Another striking feature of the tyres, which were specially made in an American factory for the car, was the extreme thinness of the outer layer of rubber, which did not exceed an eighth of an inch. In one or two places on one of the tyres, which Avas changed before the second record was set up, cute from shells less than an eighth of an inch deep exposed the fabric. There were 10 plies of rubber and fabric, which, instead.of being woven from cotton fibre, was of twisted silk to withstand the heavy strain- which was placed on it. The tyres were designed to be run with pressures of from 851 b to 1101 bto the square inch. When the records were ma.de the tyres were inflated at a pressure hearer the lower end of the range of pressures, under which they would run satisfactorily, SAFETY TALK. Probably the worst motor accident which can happen on the road is that

r - - (Itrai of new*—short description*, of tours, the state of Ihs roads, BtOq oommsnt,. or inquiries will be welcomed hj “ Aooelsntos. J

which can arise from a head-on collision between vehicles going in opposite directions. Then the striking force is the sum of the speeds of the two-vehicles. Thus, if two vehicles, each travelling at 30 miles an hour, meet in a head-on collision, the impact speed is 60 miles an hour. Elementary as this fact may seem, it does, not appear to be realised by many people. The first lesson to be derived from it ia the extreme_ danger of swinging out to the wrong side ot the road, unless it is absolutely clear that no vehicles are approaching. ■ Every driver should stick to the sbund old rule of keeping well to his left side of the road in any doubtful situation, and this really means slowing down. But to swing out wide from behind another vehicle, and thus get into the line of ondoming traffic is a particularly dangerous practice,, growing more common every day, for traffic keeps on increasing. Some drivers, too, have little idea in judging stopping distances at various speeds. Let him select a little-used stretch of road, and mark a point at which the car is to be stopped. Then he should approach this point at various speeds and endeavour to gauge the minimum distance he requires to bring the car safely to rest. It will be a sufprise to. this class of driver to find that he does not bring off that smooth deceleration, and precise stopping at a given point, which the skilled driver carries out so neatly. Every day one hears screeching brakes which tell of frantic braking efforts, and in nearly every accident much is due to illjudged or unsuccessful braking efforts. The changes in stopping distances brought about by various speeds and various types of road surface are also most useful studies which are too often neglected. WHO WILL DESIGN? Will the body designer bgcome eventually the designer of the car . as a whole? This may have been asked before, but current happenings bring it more forcibly to. attention. Progress in design for many years has followed the line or improving the conception of a chassis on which a mounted. Gradually, however, this marriage of two distinct and complementary unifs has been clothed more and with fenders, aprons, and shields, all tending- to blend the separate identities into an, indivisible unit. Thus the body designer has taken over the function which - the automobile builder created, but never cared to carry to fulnlment. So to-day the body builder very largely controls the product as far as carriage work is but has nothing to say about the.chassis. , he finds somewhat cramping to hie style. He might go further ‘and faster, ne reels, were he given more leeway in specifying controlling dimensions and locating certain units, instead of merely shrouding the mechanical assembly which engineers have contrived., The point is that many things about chassis design V™ b , cc ° me traditional and remain urn changed because of inertia rather than engineering necessity. There is no partlon8 a mfi^t 0n + W u y a K. ood many alterations might not be made, provided cood reasons were to develop. gooa at-aU?’ n i-i* 0 i r alterations as these are less likely to arise out of engineering necessity, however, as from the struggle of the body builder to produce a better looking, more comfortable and generally more satisfactory car Ao th» question is how far the body designer will be permitted to go in realising th oS e of Jg* „ ldeaß . which involve”* engineering

a SALES IN NEW ZEALAND, motor car sale returns for 1929 p Mr v T r°<s£t^ a b if s ?r^ n , ln -the Radiator, organ of the Th? total m 3 3 il0t0 ? Trade Association, in 1990 + new cars registered 16 680 9 i3°i098 d 2 V 4 -°|’ 88 compared with 10,680 in 1928 and 18,023 in 1926, which was a record year. ■ 2 J 29 figures- show a numerical in--1928 wKll- tteoVer - 28 Per cent, over - a . the same - bet ” re “ rrfaif J%n he Nortl \ lsland' show an inTafnni oL 30 P er cent., and in the South prcvffius ylar.‘ oVer thc of the : percentages of increased sales over |S SS " ri “ s ,

Auckland ~ .. .. .. .. Hawke’s Bay.-;, oc , Taranaki . . ,*.• .. .. '* 17 Wellington '.. ~ .* 25 ■ Marlborough .. ~ ... * 44 ■ Nelson ...... an Westland i. I 73 . Canterbury .. .. .. .. 21 Otago ........ ” 24 The increase in sales of English cars over last year was 32 per cent, against the average increase of 28 per cent, for all care.

The percentage of English cars' sold was 164 per cent, of the total, a gain of 7 “t 4 per cent, on last year, Of the 16 different makes of English care imP^ r ted, six' only show an increase over the business, of last year, and it is owing to the growing popularity of these makes that the total English business shows a slight gam. The names of these cars and the numbers" of each registered in the past two years are:—

' ■ . 1929. 1928. Austin..',. ... .... 1784 1308 Morris .. .. ..... ~ 851 663 Singer .. .. .... 240 177 Triumph .. .... .. 165 Not listed Standard ...... .. 134 83 Hillman 55 20 Individual 1 cars with sales of 500 or over are:— Ford .. .. .. ~ K. .. 3542 Chevrolet 2926 Austin 1784 Essex 1747 Whippet 1325 Plymouth 1050 Dodge 925 Morris 851 De Soto .. .. 807 Graham Paige 000 Buick .... ~ .... ~ 595 Pontiac •. .... .. .. ~ 558

Last year it was mentioned that twothirds of the total importations and distributions of cars were controlled by five large organisations, with headquarters in Wellington. The proportion of business obtained by these large concerns is practically the same as last year, but there has been considerable change in the proportion secured by the individual members of this group. It is interesting to note that whilst 66 pep cent, of cars sold are controlled by five organisations, nearly the whole of the balance is controlled by 20 other firms, most of which are provincial distributors. It is safe to say that 95 per cent, of the car business in New Zealand is now controlled by 25 firms. MOTOR CYCLE NOTES. For New Zealand the principal registrations during January were:—B.S-A. 71, Harley-Davidson 39, Ariel 38, A.J.S. 32, Indian 21. Triumph 20, Douglas 14, New Hudson 14, Matchless 12. * # !" Riding a 2| h.p. Yelocette, D. Hall, a well-known South African competitor, who also rode in the last Isle of Man T.T. races, won the South African T.T. Junior race in record time. He also created a record for the course for allpowered motors. * * * “ The public does not realise the good which is being done for their pleasure and health by motoring', and especially by motor cycling clubs,” said Professor A. M, Low, speaking at an English motor cycle club annual- dinner recently. “I was told by Sir, Cobham,” he continued, “that had it not been for the sport of motor, eye)ing, which developed the air-cooled engine, the wonderful achievement of Hying the Atlantic would never have been possible.” PILLION RIDING. ' Earle Howe was the guest of honour at the annual dinner of the Motor Cycling Club, which was held recently in London. Proposing the toast of the club, he said that the M.C.C. trials were, among amateurs. the' classic events of the motoring world. He was once, he continued, no; only the proud possessor of one motor cycle, but of several; he wished that people who expressed opinions about motor cycling would do so with some sense of

proportion. The flapper-bracket was one of the best ways of_ getting out into the country and of enjoying the open air. "Do let us live and let live,” he continued. “A little more spirit of give and taka, all round is required.” BRAKING SYSTEMS. The necessity for good effective brakes becomes more apparent every day. Speed is increasing and any slackness ‘in the maintenance of braking systems must lead towards accidents. It has usually been recognised that rear wheel brakes are the most effective and that brakes on front wheels should be used with great discretion especially on solo machines. All these fittings have, however, been improved during the last few years, and with the_ modern motor cycle in many cases it is the front wheel which forms the most effective brake. This is peculiar, but may be due to the trend of design having introduced the inclined cylinder which naturally must throw the weight to the front of the machine. SOLO WORLD I'OUE. Round-the-world tours on motor cycles are becoming rather monotonous,-but perhaps the most imposing and daring is that of a solo rider, unaccompanied by even the usual sidecar with provisions and luggage. This intrepid gentleman is Mr Kralichek Soboleff; a Russian, who is' using a 55 c.c. two-port Ariel. ’He started from Shanghai, and, after “ tonring ” China, proceeded through Siam, Malay States and Burmah. During his ride through India a perilous crossing of the Punjab desert (787 miles) was accomplished without mishap. Mr Soboleff is not attempting to break records by setting up new times, for instead of , making a “straight through "-(trip, he is visiting all important centres. After leaving India, this sightseeing rider negotiated the mountainous country from Bunder Abbas to Kerman, and is the first unaccompanied motor cyclist to make the trip.’ When 830 miles of Persian desert had been overcome, Iraq was visited and the 'Arabian desert crossed: then he went to Syria and Palestine. Constantinople was the jumping off place for the European section, and on leaving the Balkans. Mr Soboleff journeyed through Italy. Prance and Germany. After visiting Russia and England, he intends to travel through Africa, and will then leave for a complete circuit of America. When accomplished, the world tour will be the most complete that has ever been undertaken on a motor cycle. SPARKS. From May 1, 1930, all motor cars'in France must be fitted with an improved pattern of anti-dazzle lamp. #■ # * Magistrate: What is the charge? Officer: Driving while in a state of extreme infatuation. / ■ * £ * Of 942 motor' vehicles involved in accidents in England during the past two months, only 3 per cent.' were driven by women. I♦. * * To be correct for any engine the oil employed must be of such character that when brought to the extreme temperature encountered in the engine it will still-possess sufficient body to maintain an unbroken protective oil film between frictional surfaces.

The Ontario Government is to'take drastic steps to prevent reckless driving of motor vehicles. The Minister of Highways has_ announced - that whenever a motorist is suspended his name will be posted in the Parliament Buildings and the list will be open to the. press. ■ About 1700 driving licenses were cancelled in the province last year. - , * * ?|v

.At 1 the end of 1929 the membership of the Auckland Automobile Association stood at 12,615, as compared) with 6918 at the en-d of 1928, an increase of 62.44 per cent. In 1911 the membership stood at 44, and in 1920 was 493. The thousand mark was passed in 1923, and the association has grown steadily since. The inId 1929 was by, far the largest in the history of the organisation.

The announcement that the A.J.S. concern is to manufacture a 9 h.p. light car is bound to be of interest to. all motor cyclists, and more especially to those who have_ ridden A.J.S, mounts. The new car is a four-cylinder s.v, job, having a single-plate clutch, three-speed gearbox, spiral-bevel drive and differential. The price has not yet been definitely fixed; but ■it'jwill be something between-£169 and £2OO in England, it is stated.

This ;is the season (remarks an exchange) when* municipal and other roads authorities spray tar on popular roads, and many costly cars suffer as a result.' Here is the cure for the tar menace. Immediately you notice tar spots or the body, rub each spot with turpentiiv*, then remove with a little' butter and a clean rag Do not allow the tar to stay on the bodywork until it. hardens, for then it is very hard to remove without permanently damaging the finish. ■ • '

a *, * An additional 2,000,000 young rubber trees are now being planted in the Malayan plantations of the Dunlop Rubber Company (England); and in 10 years* time the new trees will be yielding 5000 tons of rubber per year. The bulk of the native workers are specially recruited Tamil, the rest being Chinese. Temples for their worship have-been built by the Dunlop organisation, which has also provided houses and hospitals for them, and schools for -the children.

In 1922 the Society of Automotive Engineers (U.S.A.) specified a standard bumper height of IS inches for the front bumper and 19 inches for the rear. The society has now recommended that this should be altered to 17 inches. The measurement is to be the horizontal centre line of the bumpers, and is to be the mean height between the no load and full load positions.

Motorists should be careful about using old tyres, in. hot weather. With the hot days, it would be very unwise to undertake any lohg trips on covers or tubes that have seen their.,best days. It is really looking for trouble to do so. When the thermometer readings are high, any weaknesses in the cover or tube are accentuated _ and trouble arises. It is always advisable to fit new covers and tubes for summer touring.

Denmark holds first place in Europe with regard to the number of fuel stations i in relation to, registered motor vehicles. It has 5700 stations and 100,000 vehicles, making 18.4 vehicles to each station. Then follow France with 22.1 vehicles to every station, Switzerland with 22. Q, and Germany with 23.3. Holland an d England 27.6 registered vehicles to every station. * * The .third Australian Grand Prix the greatest road race in the Commonwealth, will be held at Phillip Island, Victoria, on March 24 over a distance of 200 miles. The cars will be separated into four classes, each of which will carry prize money, while all will compete for the Grand Pns Cup. Last year the race was won by Mr A, J. Terdich. who holds the fastest time for the distance at an aver* age speed of 61.7 m.p.h.

With the idea of studying rapid methods of communication between North Africa and French West Africa a French mission has just left on a “grand tour ” of the Sahara desert. A number of prominent men form part of the expedition, which consists of one 10 h.p., two 15.7 h.p.. and one 18 h.p, cars. They are ordinary four-wheeled vehicles,- with special back axles and radiators. The ■ mission will attempt to cover the course in the shortest possible time. It is proposed to average 300 miles a day, and the round trip from Paris to Timbuctoo and back to Pans will occupy only oen month.