Cycling & Motor Notes

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 44

Cycling & Motor Notes

BY DEMON

——Recent purchasers of -Fords: Rev. Sydney Hill (Tapanui), Rev. Father M'Mullan (Ranfurly), Messrs J. Rattray and Son (two cars), Stronach, Morris, and (Jo. (Ltd.), R. Booth, E. J. Thompson, A. and T. Inglis, J. and J. Arthur (two cars), Barton and Trengrove, A. King (Tarras), J. H. Millar (Tarras), and F. Dougherty (Lee Stream). Particulars are now to hand of the big six days' bicycle race held annually at Madison Square Gardens, New York. A cablegram a few weeks back; gave the result, Goullet and Magin being the winners. During the week's race the winners captured most of the special prizes given for intermediate sprints, the two riders scoring 1103 points as against, 592 of the nfcxt best team. During the final hour 22 sprints were decided, 10 of which were won by either Goullet or his team mate, Magin—in fact, this combination practically outclassed the field. The winners collected in addition 'to special prizes, £6OO for the first prize, whilst another Australian in F. Gorry participated in the second prize of £4OO. During the contest, extending over 143 hr 50min, the leaders rode 2509 ? miles. Tremendous crowds witnessed the event. —— The whole of the /American automobile industry has 'offered its assistance and whole-hearted support to the U.S.A. Government. Thi s i s the decision of over 600 manufacturing concerns and some 27,500 dealers. The influence of the automobile industry in -America is enormous, as may be judged from the following figures. There are 230 makes of passenger cars and 372 manufacturers of commercial motor trucks with a capital investment of £147,000,000 and 210,000 workers. The annual wages paid total £55,000,000. The production for vcar ending last June was 1,806,194 motor" vehicles, of which 112,000 were motor trucks. There arc in addition 1080 manufacturers of bodies, parts, and accessories, with a capital of £67,200,000. In this direction alone there are 320,000 workers omnloved, their wages reaching £57,600,000. Last year £95,000,000 worth of tyres wore made, covering 18,000,000 covers and tubes. Garages total 25,500, located right through 'the United States. They represent £36,800,000 capital and employ ■230,000 persons. All told,, it is computed that over £211,200,000 is invested in the American motor industry, which is many times bigger than all 'the motor business of the rest £>l the world combined. ——One often hears the statement made that one outstanding feature of British cars is that they are built to last. As a striking cominentncy on this practice, as distinct from American manufacturing methods, we may quote what the Horseless Age of America gives as the secondhand values of used cars. One built in 1913, we are informed, is only worth what, it can be sold for as old metal ! A £2OO car built in 1916 is worth £66 to £B4. For a 1915 model £46 to £72 is the value, and so on clown 'the scale to 1913, when it is scrap metal. Just for the sake of comparison, we may point out that the most representative British light car, the Singer, priced originally about £2OO, is -now fetching in England £152 for a 1913 model. while a 1916 model is worth £255! Even without the shortage of new cars to affect the prices of old ones, a 1913 Singer would probably have fetched £IOO in the present year. The present, of course (says the Light Car. England), is a most opportune time, just when manufacturers are looking forward more hopefully to a termination of the war and settling their plans for postwar productions, for an announcement to be made by the second largest motor concern in America of a completely-equipped £IOO car. It will bo so comforting for those

who are contemplating' the last word in light-car design to have the prospect of yet another American vehicle competing on similar lines to their own. They know only too well that the immense outputs which are possible only in America (because it is by far and away the largest car-using country in the world) make competition on anything like equal terms out of the question. They do not need telling that if such a car is dumped upon the British market and is really all that is claimed for it, patriotism will go by the board, and the British manufacturers will be left in the cold; therefore, exactly what is to be done the future attitude of the British Government towards imported cars is a matter of very great concern to manufacturers in this country. The announcement of this new i model, although it is hopelessly outside the light-car standard, is bound to have a bad effect upon British trade overseas. It finds us wondering how it is that, with i America at war, and still able to safe- | guard her future development, the British I manufacturers are tied hand and foot, and not even in most cases permitted to turn

out experimental models as a counterblast. He snail nave to be very careful that we do not find future British trade hopelessly crippled fay the circumstance that we are putting our whole, afid not. merely tho larger part, of our efforts into war-produc-tion. We may point out also that . tho American Government is considering the, proposal to limit the output of pleasure vehicles, such as motor cars, in order to release labour. Here we do not limit; we prohibit altogether. Tho Allies can hardly be said to be pulling together if one has its peace-time industries completely .demobilised and another is merely limited in its production. • '

A strange story (whether it is true or no't I caiinot say) comes from America relative to the well-known German racing cyclist, Walter Ruttf, who some 'l2 years back raced with considerable success in Australia, and more recently has carried off some of the biggest events in America, including three New York "six-day" races.' It appears 'that for many months last year the French lines were frequently visited by an enemy aviator, known as the "''Grey Ghost," whose daring raids on the western front- caused much comment in the military camps." At last the identity of the "Grey Ghost" has been unmasked, and found to be none other than our one-time visitor, Walter Rutt. The news of Rutt's death was cabled to America in November last. A letter from a member American Ambulance Unit in France, written before Rutt was Bro.ught to earth, gives the following interesting details of the German s tactics: —"We have a peculiar, riot to_ say weird, thing on this front. There ■ is a German aviator here who calls himself ' Fantomas,' or the Ghost. His name is Walter Rutt, and he used to be a bieyclerider in the six-day races in New->York. Well, -it appears from the notes that he has dropped that he has had three brothers killed in the war, and to avenge them ho has adopted the plan of strafing the French from an aeroplane. *He never fights other planes or makes observations, but just flies over the French lines at a height varying from 30ft to 4Ooft, and everything he sees even one poilu or waggon or auto, he dives at it, banging away with his machine gun. He attacks sentinel posts and supply trains, and once or twice he has even shot into aviation camps, winning a unique place as a dangerous pilot. You have no idea of the amount of damage he does. He certainly has the respect of the Frenchmen here in this sector, where he flies almost exclusively. He ' hovers ' around all day long, and although he has been shot at with machine guns, rifles, and anticraft guns, he never seems to be touched. Ifc certainly is mysterious, because he often comes close enough for us 'to hit him with a stone. It was he who dropped the warning about the hospital being bombed, about which I told you in my last letter. The growth of the rubber industry in America has been something to marvel at. and it is reflected in the rapid rise of the manufacturing cities. In the past years the population of Akron has increased by 100,000, and* the city failed to keep pace with the rapid advance. Then the employers took a. hand and erected garden cities for their men. Our firm purchased 700 acres of land near the factory, and, engaging two of the best landscape engineers and two of the finest architects, set about building 700 model homes in* 12 months. Parks, churches, halls, and all the other comforts of a modern city were provided,-' and the houses were then let to the men for 1 per cent, a month. They were ready-made homes. A great club house has also been provided. It is equipped with the largest theatre in Akron/ a free moving picture show, a swimming bath, and all the other requisites of a first-class club. Meals are provided at cost price. As the club house is situated opposite the factory, there ia no trouble about going down town for recreation—in fact, tunnels under ' the road connect tn'e two buildings. Similar action has also been taken by other big concerns. '■ The development of light motors has been- carried on in all of the warring countries, though each group of belligerents has worked on somewhat different lines. The Germans have concentrated their efforts on vertical cylinder motors of the Benz and Mercedes types, and have seldom used engines having ' more than si* cylinders. The Allies, on the other hand t

have experimented with numerous types of engines, and aeroplanes are novv in service which have power plants with from two to as high as 24 cylinders. The rotary i form which has been developed in France is a popular type for certain work, but for the most part the engines contrived are of the eight or 12 cylinder V form. Some of the aerial motors have been really complicated typos, made light by the skilful proportioning of parts and the use of the best and moet expensive materials of con-« struction, such as chrome nickel and chrome, vanadium steels: others are refined, simpler forms, modified from current automobile and racing-engine practice. CARE OF BRAKES. " Great oare should be taken in adjusting brakes," says an American expert. "It is first essential to investigate whether or not the pressure or resistance is equal on both ; wheels—in fact both wheels should be jacked up at the time of adjustment so that they may bo tried by hand. In this way the driver may determine if, when applied, there is firm braking-power delivered .to the drums. It is also necessary to determine when the brakes are off if they are perfectly free and do not drag. In caring for the brakes be sure and see to it that the service foot or outside contracting brakes are kept clean and free from. grit or grease. Washing the brake drums and bands"with petrol will cut the grease or oil and will leave a clean, dry surface. One tip that should be heeded by all motorists is that of applying the brakes. Do not slam the brake pedal down as far as it will go; rather apply it gradually. This not only saves the brake-power, but preserves tyre and the life of the car. When effecting a stop, close the throttle and coast until the speed has been materially checked. .Then apply the brakes. REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS. It is not real economy to neglect to have reasonable repairs and adjustments made upon a car simply to save repair shop bills. Some cars, of course, require much less attention than others; but the motorist should bear in mind that when his valves need grinding it is economy to have them ground without delay, for leaking valves mean so much petrol going to waste. When a carburettor is adjusted either to give' too thin or too rich a mix- ; ture, money is wasted. If the mixture is too rich too much gas is being burned; if too thin, causing irregular firing, the gas being burned is not permitted to develop the best efficiency. It is estimated by experts that there is a waste from leaking carburettors alone of more than 30,000 gallons of petrol a day in the United States. Poorly-adjusted carburettors waste 240,000 gallons." MOTOR CARNIVAL. OPEN AND CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS. CHRISTCHURCH, February 23. A motor oarnival was held to-day in perfect weather, the proceeds being in aid of the Red Cross. There was a huge crowd present during the afternoon, and an exhibition of flying was given by an instructor at the Canterbury Aviation School. The following are the results: LIGHT-WEIGHT HANDICAP. Bight miles. —A. Woodman (Christchurch), scr, 1; J. A. Kairton (Timaru), 6sec, 2; R. J. Jones (Palmerston North), 25sec, 3. Also started: J. Dawber 12sec, A. Boag SOsec, G. J. J. Moffet 35sec, P. H-owarth and P. A. Foden HOsec; J. Sweeney 120seo, L. Bird 2155e0. Won comfortably. Time, 7min 57 3-ssec. . HEAVY-WEIGHT HANDICAP. Ten miles. H. R. Crawley (Carterton), 20sec, 1; L. Maugham (Shannon), 20seo, 2. Also started: P. Coleman scr, E. P. C. Hinds 12sec, S. Whitehead 20sec. The race was marred by an accident end «. couple of mis- . haps. Crawley won in excellent, time. Only one other man finished. Time, 9min 17 4-ssoc. SOUTH ISLAND LIGHT-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. Eight miles.—P. Haworth (Christchuxch) ,1; J. Dawber (Palmerston North), 2; P. A. Foden (Timaru), S. D. Bird also started. Won by 150 yards. Time, 9min 48 2-ssec. SOUTH ISLAND MIDDLE-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. Ten miles.—A. Woodman (Christcruirch), 1; J. A. Kiarton (Timaru), 2; R J. Jones 3. A.. Boag and J. Dawber also started. Time, lOmin 6 8-ssec AUSTRALASIAN ' HEAVY-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. Fifteen miles.—P. Coleman (Palmerston North), 1; H. R. Crawley (Carterton), 2; L. Mangham 3. \These were the only starters. Won easily. Time, lSmin 60sec —an Australasian record. - ' NORTH ISLAND v. SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS RELAY RACE. Fifteen miles. —South Island 1, North Island 2. The teams were : N North Island—J. Sweeney (Palmerston North), J. Dawber (Palmerston North), P. Coleman (Palmerston North). South Island—F. Haworth (Christchuroh), A. Woodman (Christchurch), R. Crawley, substitute. Time, lßmin 55 l-ssec. OPEN HANDICAP. Eight miles.—C. Bonnington (Christchurch), 90aec, 1; A. Woodman (Christchurch), 2; Ht' R. Crawley (Carterton), 3. Won by 30 yards. Time, Bmin 55 2-ssec.