OTAGO MOTOR CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22284, 9 June 1934, Page 2

OTAGO MOTOR CLUB

KING'S BIRTHDAY TRIAL On June 3 and 4 the Otago Motor Club held a Reliability Trial for motor cars and cycles from Dunedin to Invercargill and back. After the rainfall ot the previous day the weather conditions were not promising on Sunday morning, and it was disappointing to see such a small number of competitors face the starter. Out of 13 entries, five cars and four cycles started. Secret checks were instituted along the route, and an easystarting test was held at each official stop. The first competitor left the club rooms at 3 a.m., the rest following at one-miuute intervals, all averaging 30 m.p.h. to Owaka. A thick drizzle was encountered until nearing Milton, where the sun was shining. A stop of 10 minutes was made at Balclutha. From there the route led to Owaka, the average speed being altered to 20 m.p.h. From Owaka the roads were fairly uood until the foot of Gibb's Hill was reached. Here it became very greasy, and considerable care had to be taken during the ascent. At this stage R. Clementeon (Matchless) had rocker trouble, while B. Rosson (Norton) had two spills. At 11.46 a.m. Papatowai was reached, and on leaving there the narrow, winding road was followed through beautiful bush country, but after eight miles had been covered it became very muddy and greasy for some distance, causing the riders some trouble in negotiating. Twenty-one miles from Papatowai good roads were again encountered, and competitors soon made up lost time. At Fortrose the average speed was again changed to 30 m.p.h., which was maintained to Appleby, which was reached at 4.35 p.m. The cars. and cycles were then locked up tor the nignt. At 9 a.m. on Monday the competitors left the Invercargill Post Office and followed the Main North road to Gore, where an official stop was made. Shortly after leaving Invercargill a heavy, chilly fog was encountered, and continued to Gore. B. Rosson (Norton) made some forced stops with au over-heated engine. After leaving Gore wanner conditions were er-countered, and good time was made to Balclutha. Between Arthurton aud W&ipahi v the road was very greasy, and a bridge near Pukerau was the downfall of S. Morris (A.J.S.), who slid and hit the railing. Leaving Balclutha at 1.36 p.m. a good run was made to Dunedin, the competitors reaching the club rooms shortly after 3.30 p.m. Here the trial was concluded with a brake tes'Cycles.— R. Clementson (lost 285) and E. Rilstone (lost 285), equal, 1; F.■ Bremner (lost 320), 3; B. Rosson (lost 420), 4 " Motor Cars.—A. Fraser (lost 130), 1; N. Holmes (lost 145), 2; Cooke, Howhson, and Co. (lost 165), 3; T. Y. lurner (lost 170), 4; H. Kirkby (lost 21o), 5.