Motordom

Southland Times, Issue 21820, 24 September 1932, Page 13

Motordom

News and

Notes.

OF GENERAL INTEREST ON THE ROAD AND ON THE WING. THE LATEST HAPPENINGS. Motor Cyclists’ Record Year. British motor cyclists have almost swept the board on the Continent this year. By winning two events in the Swiss Motor Cycle Grand Prix, Stanley Woods has added still further to a remarkable run of successes. Since the beginning of June he has won seven first-class international races, in the Isle of Man, and in France, Belgium, Holland ahd Switzerland. He established new records for both the Senior and Junior events in the Isle of Man, and also won the premier event in both the French and Belgium Grand Prix. The 350 c.c. event in the Dutch Motor Cycle T.T. he captured after a fine race. In the 500 c.c. race both he and the winner, P. Hunt, averaged 82 m.p.h.—over two miles an hour faster than the record for the Senior race in the Isle of Man. At Daytona. An interesting sidelight on Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Daytona visit is the eagerness with which the good people of that erstwhile prosperous resort have regarded his coming. It appears that this one-time playground of millionaires has noticed of late a distinct scarcity of the necessary Rothchilds, which, combined with the world economic crisis, has forced the town to the verge of bankruptcy. Thousands thronged the beach during Sir Malcolm’s preliminary trials, and for his actual attempt, with corresponding joy to Daytona. How True! This par is from the Passing Show. Just after a car smash outside my house I stood listening to two men I know who had witnessed the accident. A driver of one of the cars came up and asked, “Did any of you people see it happen?” “No we didn’t,” my acquaintances lied, and when the driver had walked away, murmured, “It’s best to keep your mouth shut.” This, I think, is the attitude taken by the majority in such cases, because to admit being a witness may mean the trouble of attending Court. What wrongs must be committed, and what injustices done, by eyewitnesses who “hold their tongues.” A New Mobiloil Chart. Released to coincide with the announcement of new season’s models, the 1932 Mobiloil Chart is now on view at garages and service stations. This chart, which includes the names of all known motor cars, cycles, trucks, bus-

es and even tractors, is the most up-to-date guide to the correct lubrication of “Automotive” units. In all there are approximately 4,300 separate recommendations on the chart, so it should be complete. The Vacuum Oil Company Pty. Ltd., states that it is the work of over 100 lubrication engineers, who work in different parts of the world, and communicate their findings to each other. The Mobiloil Chart now available here is the first chart that has been specially issued for New Zealand. It is interesting to note that the Vacuum Oil Company was the first organization to issue a chart, and that this first appeared in New Zealand in 1906. The Morris Owner. One of the most handsome motor papers issued is the Morris Owner, and the reading matter is as good as the journal is handsome. The edition de luxe for August is a holiday number, and reflects the golden glory of the English summer with real understanding. “Through Twenty-eight Counties,” by Arthur E. Hann is a colourful account of a camping tour from Dorset to the Scottish uplands. This article is well illustrated, and contains more than one useful hint for the openair lover. Because it is a veritable buffer between engine and chassis, the cluth’s task is no easy one. You can make it considerably lighter, however, after you have read “Be Fair to Your Clutch.” C. R. Lucato writes about this subject in an easy, straight-forward manner, and as he is assisted by a number of photos everyone can understand what he is talking about. W. Gordon Aston talks about oil. Motorists can feel, smell, and, if they like, taste their oil, but unless they have access to expensive apparatus and expert knowledge they cannot judge between one lubricant and another. Moral: trust the makers recommendation and all will be well. An article concerning the newly founded League of Industry is interesting and informative. Established in April of last year on the initiative of the National Council of Industry and Commerce, the League of Industry has now an enrolled membership of 130,000 men and women who, in various ways, gain a livelihood from industry and trade. Charles G. Harper, author of that informative work, “A Londoner’s Own London,” in which he gives many intimate glimpses of the capital, now writes about the strange edifices such as the Folly Gates at Brookman’s Park, that have been erected for no apparent reason around the English countryside. These structures are generally referred to as “follies.” The author illustrates his article with quaint drawings by himself. “Hints for Tips” by Maurice Sampson of the “Autocar,” will be appreciated by those whose incomes are not of the kind that can purchase Chippendale chairs and Ming vases. He says:—

One of the idiosyncrasies of our British hotel system is the presence of that important personage, the hall-porter. In nine cases out of ten I never can, for the life of me, discover what his real mission in life may be. He is seldom ornamental, and not, as a rule, evidently industrious. You are ready to start; you order your luggage to be brought down; you tell a page boy or an under-porter to bring it. Do they do so? Not on your life. This is where the hall-porter comes in. He tells an under-porfer to bring the suitcases from Number 100. He has unbent. He has given an order. You might think he would then fade from the scene and leave it to his minion. Not a bit. He will stand on guard till you present him with a shilling and his underling with sixpence. Thus are all conventions fulfilled, and your pocket a little lightened. I have heard of strong hemen who have "forgotten” the shilling but I tremble for "them when they next visit that hotel. For hall-porters hold their jobs for life and have internationally famous memories. This August issue is a treasure house of lore concerning the motoring hobby. International Alpine Trial. The overwhelming success of British competitors in the International Alpine Trial, which has just ended at San Remo has proved an excellent advertisement for British cars on the Continent, says our English motor correspondent, writing on August 5. Matched against some of the most famous Continental makes, they secured the team

prizes and individual prizes in every class for which they were entered. For cars of over 2,000 c.c., the manufacturer’s team prize, the Coupe des Alpes, was won by the Hon. Brian Lewis’ team of Talbot cars, and the Glacier Cup for individual entries by C. M. Needham, in an Invicta. For cars of under 1,100 c.c. the Coupe des Alpes was won by Mr Victor Leverett’s team of Rileys; and Rileys secured the first four places in the individual competition for the Glacier Cup. The Alpine Trial which is one of the most strenuous reliability trials in the world began at Munich on Thursday, July 28, and finished at San Remo last Wednesday. The route led through the Tyrol, the Dolomites, and the Swiss and French Alps, and included many famous Alpine passes. The ascents of the Stelvio ana Little St. Bernard Passes were timed. The record for the Stelvio was broken by Mr Donald Healey, and Mr J. Hobbs made the fastest ascent in his class.

The Big Tree people advise the Motor Editor that a series of sponsored programmes will be broadcast by them from 4ZO, Dunedin, on Friday evenings in the near future. These will be on the air between the hours of 7 ,p.m. and 8 p.m. on— Friday, September 30. Friday, October 7. Friday, October 14. Friday, October 21.

A NEW CAR THE M.G. MIDGET. SPEEDS UP TO 80 M.P.H. Speed, silence and distinctive appearance are the outstanding features of the new M.G. Midget. The bodywork, with its flat folding screen, cutaway doors and external rear petrol tank, is of a type usually associated with purely racing cars, but its design is such that it allows ample accommodation and comfortable seating for its occupants. The Midget has always been a handsome little car, but the latest version of it is more attractive than ever.

Striking as may be the body improvements, however, those which apply to the engine are of even greater importance. The standard 1932 Midget had a maximum of some 65 m.p.h.—no mean speed for an 850 c.c. car. The standard 1933 is capable of 80 m.p.h. unsupercharged. This surprising increase of speed has been brought about by general improvements to the power unit, particularly in respect of the valve operation and cylinder head. The inlet and exhaust ports are now on opposite sides of the engine and each cylinder has separate ports; a feature of the design, indeed, is the straight-through passage for the gasses. The valve gear is of the type evolved for the Montlhery Midget which was so successful in races last year. Two carburetters, feeding into a common manifold, are fitted, and 14 m.m. plugs are used. A four-speed gear-box with helical constant mesh top and third gears is now standardised. Maries steering, with a 17in. spring wheel, is fitted and 12-volt lighting and starting replace the previous 6 volt set. Budge-Whit-worth racing wheels are fitted, instead of, the usual bolt-on type. The silencer is of very large capacity and is exceptionally efficient at all speeds. The two-seater model costs under £2oo—to be exact, £199 10/ —yet it is capable of over 60 m.p.h. in third and 80 m.p.h. in top. Speeds in excess of this, indeed, have been obtained on test. M.G. Midgets for 1933 are also listed as an Occasional Four at £220 and a Salonette at £255. In addition, there will be two 750 c.c. models for competition and racing purposes, each of these being obtainable with or without a supercharger. The prices listed refer to the English market. AIR SERVICE TRAINING LATEST INFORMATION. OVER 20 RESIDENT PUPILS. Upon her return to Copenhagen from Hamble where she had undergone a course of instruction and qualified for the “A” L’ilot’s licence, with Air Service Training, M. Forslev, the wife of Lt.-Col. Forslev, the head of the Danish Air Force, was entertained by the Board of the Union of Danish fliers in honour of her being Denmark’s first woman pilot. The occasion was one of some importance and was described at length in the principal Copenhagen papers. In addition to a number of R.A.F. Reserve Officers there are now over 20 resident pupils at the school. Among them are Sir Alfred Beit, Bt., M.P., who is taking a course of advanced flying and blind flying; Major Vetch, the chief instructor of the Bombay Flying Club and Mr Bhagat Lal an instructor of the Delhi Flying Club who are taking the instructors and blind flying course, and Lt. Rasananda, of the Siamese Air Force, who has returned to the school for further experience on service type aircraft. Mr Ngo Kok Tie, Messrs Grant, Williams and Mehta are also under instruction in blind flying, and the remainder of the pupils are undergoing advanced training for their “B” Pilot licences and seaplane training.

On July 28 the school was honoured by a visit from H.H. the Duke of Aosta, who made a detailed inspection, and was particularly interested in the syllabus of training for blind flying, and the special ground instructional apparatus used in connection with this course;

Those who have had the opportunity of reading the latest prospectus will be interested to hear that a further addition has been made to the already comprehensive course No. 8 for commercial pilots. A complete course in wireless is now included to enable students to qualify for the Air Ministry’s W/T air operators’ licence and a special wireless instructor is joining direct from the staff of the Electrical and Wireless School of the R.A.F. at Cranwell. A fully equipped W-T ground station is in course of erection in addition to which wireless apparatus for reception and transmission between air and ground will form part of the equipment. Pupils taking the complete course No. 8 will therefore be in possession of the following licenses and certificates at the termination of their training:— “A” and “B” Pilots’ Licences.

Blind Flying Certificate. “A” and “B” Ground Engineers’ Licences.

“X” Ground Engineers’ Licences for Compasses and Parachutes. 2nd-Class Navigators’ Certificate. Air Ministry W/T Air Operators’ Certificate.

SOUTHLAND MOTOR CYCLE CLUBOPENING RUN. TREASURE HUNT. Fixtures. October 2.— Opening Run to Te Tipua. October 24.—Labour Day Treasure Hunt. The opening run of the season will be held next week-end, and it is intended to make the destination the same as last year. The previous visit to Te Tipua showed that there was plenty of scope for some interesting events there, and an enjoyable programme should result. As usual, the run will commence at 10 a.m., and a large number of visitors are expected. On Labour Day a treasure hunt will be held for the Norton Cup. The idea of last year’s event will be taken as a basis, but a number of improvements and novelties will be introduced. A

circuitous route will have to be followed, and competitors must pick up check-cards at various points. To prevent any possibility of speeding, the cards at each particular check will not be issued before a certain specified time, and competitors who arrive early will have to wait until the correct time before receiving their cards. A special addition to the scheme of operations will make the final treasure-hunting extremely interesting to the spectators. Fast and slow machines will have an equal chance in this event. Success will depend mainly on being wide awake.

No fewer than 289,756 members cal--5 led upon the Automobile Association - patrols for assistance during the bank j holiday period. A. A. members to the t number of 4836, whose cars or motor I cycles had suffered minor breakdowns r received mechanical first aid, whilst rej plenishments of petrol, oil, etc., were I obtained for some 2162 members whoae 5 cars were stranded. f " ' ' ' **