Nerve-Racking Task

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18255, 25 November 1933, Page 9

Nerve-Racking Task

OHORTLY before darkness on J October 2, the ambitious attempt in France by Mr. John Cobb and his team of famous British, drivers t.o regain a whole series of world motoring records for Britain came to an end. The other members of the team were Mr. Brian Lewis, Mr. Bose Richards, and Mr. Cyril Paul. The monster 500 horse-power car, the biggest ever built for track work, begau to eat up records from the start, but it also ate up tyros. This was due largely to the vibration sot up by the giant. It tore up lumps of concrete, and these lumps tore up the tyres. It was a harassing experience for drivers by day and would have been folly to risk at night. On one lap a large hole was worn in the track and the drivers had to avoid the obstacle—a nerve-racking task—every time they drove round*

During the day two records were wrested from America. These were: 200 miles at 120.44 miles an hour; 3 hours at 124.33 miles an hour. The car also ,lowered the record ior the 1000 kilometre distance. While Mr. Brian Lewis was at the wheel he had the' harassing experience of a tyre, deflating at a speed of about 125 miles an hour. Two of the greatest tyre-fitters and changers in the world looked after the drivers. They arc known as “the two Macs.’' Tyres were changed on all lour whoals every 200 miles. The tyrechanging was a wonderful exhibition of organised hurry. One chango was carried out in less than 30 seconds.