CYCLING & MOTOR NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 3618, 17 July 1923, Page 48

CYCLING & MOTOR NOTES

BY

“ DEMON.”

The question of ear thefts and joy riding in borrowed cars was brought up by the president of the Wellington Automobile Club (Mr C. M. Banks) at the last meeting, and the New Zealand Automobile Union is to be requested to take up the matter again this session, and endeavour to secure legislation making- the unauthorised use of other people’s motor vehicles a criminal olfence, instead of merely a matter for a small fine. It was pointed out that during the war the Government- was approached in the matter, but the only result was a slight increase in the fine that could be imposed, which has proved quite inadequate to check car thieving.

According to cabled news last week Campbell, on a Sunbeam, negotiated a flying mile on the beach at Fanoe (Denmark) in the very fast time of 26.14 seconds, equal to a speed of 137 miles per hour. The performance is claimed as a world’s record. Unless the time of Campbell’s fine achievement is the mean time of a drive over the mile course in both direction. his performance does not equal that of S. Haugdahl, who negotiated a flying mile (one day only) in 19.97 seconds (180 m.p.h.) on the Florida Beach at Daytona (U.S.A.) in April, 1922. Cyclists throughout Australasia will be pleased to learn that (he Dunlop Rubber Company has decided to extend the guarantee on their Dtudop Roadster and Oceanic tyres.

A decision on sicns. In a report on the road signs presented at a meeting of the Wellington Automobile Club, preference was expressed for aluminium lettering on a dark blue ground for the signboards as being readily' visible, particularly at night, and lasting well if the paint work is varnished over. This style of sign has been adopted extensively by the Royal Automobile Club of Great Britain, but some question was raised as to the wisdom of breaking away from the practically standardised direction sign through New Zealand of black letters on a white or cream-coloured ground. The matter was left open, but it was suggested that tiie Roads Committee should satisfy itself that the aluminium and Hue sign was superior before having a large number put in hand. * NOVEL SPEEDOMETER. Few motoring statistics are more interesting than those which relate to the varying speeds over distances covered during a country run, but. as a rule, the driver has to rely upon his memory for any facts which he may desire to establish. This haphazard method is entirely eliminated by the design of a novel form of recording speedometer, invented by Mr J. A. Phil.bs, of England. Although the device is intended primarily for commercial vehicles, it at once suggests vast possibilities in connection with touring cars. 1 he Phibbe recorder incorporates the usual type of speedometer mechanism, but the miles per hour indicator is extended beyond the pivot, and by means of a recording pen at the extremity of the additional arm automatically traces a chart, which is calibrated horizontally in miles per hour and vertically for, time, the hours being divided into quarters. The instrument having been sot for action let it he assumed that a country journey is undertaken. At the conclusion the chart is withdrawn, and the driver at once is placed in possession of an accurate record, showing exactly the distance covered, the time taken, ami the various

speeds of the vehicle at any particular moment of the journey. By means of the mileage calibrations it wouild be possible to locate exactly a long, stiff gradient, and to find out to one mile per hour the speed maintained by the car during the ascent. Alternatively, over a given mile, the maximum speed of the car oil the level would be established without question. The instrument suggests yet another phrase of interest, for, were it possible to attach it by suitable means to every oar taking part, say, in an efficiency trial, the value of the data obtained would be immeasurable, and would provide a permanent record of capabilities. ROAD TAXATION FOR MOTORISTS. We are glad to hear that the Motor Legislation Committee, acting on behalf of the entire motoring movement, has passed a resolution of pretest against the announced intention of the Government to devote a substantial proportion of the Road Fund to the upkeep of rural roads, and has forwarded it to the Prime Minister and other members of the Government (says the Field). In its resolution it embodied the suggestion that the Government should appoint at once a Select Committee of the House of Commons, or a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament, to investigate the present incidence of highways expenditure on the taxpayers, the ratepayers, special classes of road users and owners of land, and to report whether the burden is equitably born by the various classes having regard to read usage and other advantages obtained, and whether a fairer distribution of such burden can be devised. A SMOOTH GETAWAY. When starting away from rest, the proper practice is not to race the engine, but to allow it to turn over very little faster than that at. which it normally idles; then to allow the clutch pedal to come back a little so that the car is just on the move, pausing a moment in this position while the car gathers way and the engine speeds up after it, has slowed down. The clutch is then let right horn', and a fraction of a second afterwards the accelerator is depressed. This method ensnies a getaway that is smooth, and adds thereby to the comfort of the passengers, the life of the car (particularly that of the rear tyres, and also to the prestige of the driver. Nothing detracts more from the quality of driving than careless clutch manipulation, and all motorists who wish to be regarded as expert drivers should certainly make a point of learning how their clutches work. While on this topic, it is not out of place to mention that, clean gear-changing can be often obtained by a little attention to the clutch stop. The duty of a clutch stop is to act as a friction brake t,o slow the clutch shaft down when it is desired to change up. I 'sually the clutch stop is found to be located just about the clutch withdrawal mechanism between it and the gear box,

and if it has become coated with oil or grease this should be washed off. It v\ ill then be found that much quicker changes can be made up, and, what is more, the driver has more control over the speed of his clutch shaft, which, after all, is the beginning and ending of proper gear-chang-ing. TRACTORS ON FARMS. In order to encourage the use of agricultural tractors, the Flench Government offers subsidies, under certain conditions, to farmers purchasing these machines for their own use. An official report shows that from' 1916 to the end of 1922 the total amount paid out under this heading was 69.064.381 francs, which covered 8652 tractors, 2397 of these being French and 6145 of foreign origin. The value of the tractors purchased under this scheme is 182,529,439 francs. The French subsidies are offered to groups of farmers who undertake to use the machines among themselves, to farmers whose land was devastated in the war, and to ploughing Contractors. From 1916 to 1922 inclusive 5937 tractors were taken up by groups of farmers on the subsidy system, the value of the machines being 73,423.005 francs, and the amount of the subventions amounting to 29,511,941 francs. The number of tractors given to farmers to replace their losses during the war was 5951 during the years 1919, 1920, and 1921. Of these machines 3045 were foreign, mostly American, and 906 of French origin. The value of tiie tractors was 85,079,505 francs, and the amount of the subventions worked out to 34,809,29? francs. In certain regions of Franco a large amount of ploughing is undertaken by contracting firms. In 1921 and 1922 nine such firms were ."n receipt of subsidies from the

Government foi the purchase of 654 tractors, valued at 24,026,929 francs. The amount of the subsidy was 4,703.143 francs. In this section French machines dominated, their number being 631, compared with only 23 of foreign origin. The explanation of this is that many cf the contracting ploughing concerns are subsidiaries of tractormanufacturing companies, among them being De Dion Bouton, Blum-Lalil, and the Scemia, which builds the British Saunderson tractor under license. Owing to the shortage of credits, all the subsidies have had to be ; educed. Instead of aSO per cent, subsidy for farmers in the war zone, the amount has been ieduced to 41 per cent. For other classes the subsidy has been dropped by 55 per cud. COOD JUDGMENT. lIOW TO DEVELOP IT. How are you to learn the art of judging distances and speeds on a motor car? And how can one best acquire a knowledge of the way in which the car speed varies the distances? (asks a writer in an English exchange). Once again the best answer of all is careful observation during practical road experience. But there are certain factors which should be recognised by all drivers which have an important bearing on the problAi. One of these relates to braking efficiency. You often hear people say: “Oh," f pulled up in the length of the car!” Get that right out of your mind. It's a silly misstatement, and can only'lie substantiated when running at abnormally slow speeds. A car with good brakes in thoroughly * efficient condition and operationg on a dry road with good tyres oan be stopped about as follows:—At 10 m.p.h., in 10ft: at 15 m.p.h., in 22ft; at 20 m.p.h., in 38ft; at

25 m.p.h., in 60ft ; at 30 m.p.h., in 85ft; at 35 m.p.h., in 120 ft; at 40 m.p.h., in 150 ft; and at 50 m.p.h., in about 240 ft. In that statement I have assumed everything' to be in good order —brakes, road surface, tyre treads, and weight distribution. The figures are based on dull technical facts —co-operation of friction, arid so on —about which you do not want to bother. But I would ask you to bother to the extent of proving to your own satisfaction that you cannot beat them in practice.

So first of all forget all about that silly phrase “1 stopped in my own length.” It only applies at 10 m.p.h.—and that is a very rare speed—or lack of speed. In tight corners, where accurate judgment of ear speed and distances is so important, you usually have three choices. You must get out of the danger by braking, by acceleration, or by steering, combined with one or other of the two. The most frequently used is braking. It would be dangerous for me to preach

that acceleration is often safer, but that is unquestionably the fact. But most motorists more readily acquire safety from braking. And this is the way to improve your knowledge of the distances and speeds at which braking is effective. When I am giving lessons on this point I employ a large rag doll as big as a small child. It gives realism to the pupil, but anything else will do. Select a quiet stretch of straight road. Use a telegraph pole, or anything else, as a mark at the side of the road. Place the doll at such a distance from that, mark as corresponds with the table of stopping distances and car speeds given. Say, for example, that you choose a normal touring speed of 30 m.p.h. You would then place the doll (or rug, if you like) 84ft. away from the roadside mark selected. Now approach that mark at a steady 30 m.p.h., and at the precise moment you pass it get busy with your brakes. You will find you have a fairly busy time stopping. You next lesson is even more helpful. You must have a passenger in the car, and he alone must know the roadside mark. The driver must he unacquainted with it. As the car passes the selected mark the passenger must shout “Now !” You will probably find that you run down “the child,” and do not, stop until 20ft or more beyond it. Why? Because-'you have not learnt how to turn mental knowledge into physical action without losing a valuable fraction of a second. If you waste one second you will go 45ft too far. OTAGO MOTOR CLUB. Tire monthly meeting of the Otago Motor Club was held in the R.S.A. Club Room last Tuesday, the president (Mr H. Ilalliday) occupying the chair. Fifteen new members were elected. The Mosgiel Borough Council wrote directing the club's attention to the excessive speed at which some motor cars travelled through the borough, especiallv on rare days at Wingatui. The council also requested the club’s assistance in suppressing this nuisance.—lt was decided to call the attention of members to the matter. Mr W. Wright- outlined the proposed colour scheme for direction signs on the South Island main roads, and it was decided that an inquiry he made into the price of these signs, and that a trial he arranged. Messrs A. C. Mac George and J. L. Passmore expressed their approval of the system. The President criticised the City Council’s hoslile attitude towards motor cars using the tram tracks. lie failed to see why they should be set apart as being separate from any other part of the road, and pointed out that it was certainly safer for pedestrians that motorists should keep to the centre of the street. —Mr Jackson 1 Purdie stated (hat it was practically impossible to avoid the tram tracks, and added that it was only right that the faster vehicle should use the centre of the road. — Mr J. 11. Hinton moved, and Mr Jackson

1 Purdie seconded —“That, the Otago Motor Club views with indignation the suggestion of the chairman of the Tramways Committee that motorists have any limited right to use the train tracks.” —The motion was carried unanimously. The President also mentioned that the tram tracks were at present a danger to vehicular traffic, inasmuch as the road had been allowed to subside around them, leaving the rails standing hare. They were certainly a menace to cyclists.—Mr Jackson Purdie stated that the Kaikorai Tramway Company was one of the w-orst offenders in this direction, and he moved that the secretary be instructed to write to the company requesting ft to attend to the rails at the tram termini. They were obtruding so far as to be a danger to traffic. —Mr Wright seconded, and the motion was carried. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Jackson Purdie, that a deputation be appointed to wait ui-ion the Works Committee of the City Council to point out the necessity of keeping the roads in proper repair. Messrs Jackson Purdie' and Ansell were appointed a deputation to wait upon the committee. It was rejiorted that several members had failed to pay their subscriptions, and on the motion of Mr Wright, it was decided that a sub-committee be appointed to make inquiries. MOTOR RACING. LONDON. July 2. Great Britain won the Grand Prix of the Automobile Club de France. Mr Sea grave in a Sunbeam car covered the course of 799 kilometres at an average speed of a little over 121 kilometres an hour. A French competitor failed to make a turn, and crashed through the barrier into the spectators. A dozen were seriously injured, including a baby, whose leg had to be amputated. The occupants of the car escaped. July 12. While Captain Miller was motor-racing at Bi'ooklands at 9!) miles an hour his offside rear tyre peeled off and struck him on the head, rendering him unconscious. His mechanic took the wheel and drove into a paddock. Captain Miller recovered in nine minutes and resumed racing. Ho. heat, all the hour records fro-m one to nine, and all the 100mile records from one to seven. His average speed for nine hours was 85* miles per hour.