CYCLING AND MOTORING NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 125, 19 July 1911, Page 7

CYCLING AND MOTORING NOTES.

■' it was cabled from London last week that an Italian motorist n im-.d Cordino had established a new record for the flying mile by covering the distance in 81 seconds on the hard said beach at Salturn-by-thc-Sea, in Yorkshire. Bordino’s performance is not the world’s best foi this stands in the credit of R. Barman, who a few weeks back on Florida beach, Daytona (U.S.A.), covered a flying mile in 25.4 seconds, equal to a speed of nearly 142 miles per hour. The performance under notice is European record, the Italian’s time just clipping one-fifteenth of a second off the previous best European mile, which was hold by Hemery, his 81 1-15 seconds being established on Brnoklands track (Eng.) in November, 1809. On four occasions Borclino’s time has been eclipsed, viz., by F. Marriott, who, in 1906, on a steam car, on Florida beach drove a mile in 28 1-5 seconds. In March of this year B. Oldfield, on the same speedway, reduced these figures to 27 1-33 seconds, but the now record only stood a few weeks, for in April Barman cut the figures to 26.12 seconds, and a week later again reduced them to 25.4 seconds. The Cycle Traders’ Association of Victoria have taken exception to the offering of bonuses by members of the cycle trade for the purpose of inducing riders to change their mounts for the big road races. The association has decided to refuse entrants riding the machines of any cycle agent who publicly advertises bonus-

m or holds out inducements to intending competitors to change their mounts, and with that object in view every entrant for the Victorian Cycle Traders’ 100 miles road race will have to nominate the machine he intends riding. The action of the Victorian Traders’ Association will meet with the approval of everyone who has the best interests of road racing at heart, and their efforts to stamp out such practices will do good. ' Road racing is a clean pastime that stimulates cycling and the cycle trade, and it is regrettable that some agents should stoop to tactics that in time would undermine the popularity of road racing in this country. If the practice of bonus offering were allowed to go imcheckedj what chance would the small agent have against wealthy companies P Yet, strange to say, it is the small man who wants to start vbo evil. The Dunlop Co. are sup-

porting the action of the Victorian Association, and if necessary will take similar action in reference to tlmir big Warrnambool race. As the promoters of the leading load events of Australasia, the Company is keenly alive to the necessity of keeping the pastime free from any objectionable features, and if wiser counsels do not prevail, and the offer of bonuses withdrawn, then it is certain that the offending Agent or agents machines will be prescribed in the event. For the sake of the sport it is to be hoped that such a step will not be accessary.

An English motorist writes that a study of King George's cars would ■give useful hints to many car-owners. There is an entire absence of that ostentations elaboration and garish ornamentation which may be observed in the vehicles of many lesser peojde. Good taste characterises the whole appearance of the Royal automobiles in their colour, coachwork, and interior decorations. The equipment is thoroughly up-to-date and essentially practical. Amongst the items may he mentioned detachable wheels, nondazzling lamps, dual speedometers, electric horn, and electric side lights. The enormous growth in the use of the motor in America can be gathered from the fact that in Akron—the big motor tyro manufacturing centre of America—the daily output of tyres luring last April was valued at £78,000, covering an output of 7750 covers and 15,000 tubes daily. At this rate of manufacture, the production of pneumatic motor tyres in Akron alone per year would total £22,130,000. In addition to this huge niton 1. there has also to he added £5,720,000 worth of solid rubber tyros. This is a tyro boom with a vengeance. All told, over 6000 workers are employed in the mills ,apart from clerical staffs, etc. Most people have observed that many motorists have the tyres of their cars painted white, and, apparently, freshly painted at frequent intervals. . This undoubtedly makes a car look very smart, but this is not the only reason for painting, although many motorists have never heard of t!ie real reason for tyre painting. What is the object of painting the tyres? As most of us know, one of the greatest enemies of vulcanised rubber is light, and the direct rays of the sun in particular. Now, the tyres of a motor car arc fully exposed to the light and to the rays of the sun, and tbo object of painting them is to protect them from this light action. If they were put in a case of extremely thin opaque material, they would, of course, lie protected .from the light, but it docs not make any difference whether the ease is a loose one, or in actual contact with the rubber surface of the tyre. The effect is the

same. The paint, therefore, becomes a protecting case, and by preventing the deleterious light action, is intended to, and does have the effect of preserving and so prolonging the life of the tyre. Only specially prepared paint can he used for the purpose, no oil, being used for this is a worse enemy to rubber than light; special paints are marketed hy the various houses for the purpose. Cl re at preparations are being made in Fr; nice for the forthcoming light car race, which has drawn an entry of thirty-nine ears, .- pie,seating thirties! firms, who have each a team of three ears representing them. The size- of the, engine . arc limited, the ci hie capacity allowance being equiv-

j a ant to ciguty i.uuun-.-tr* .>■ f-y <• I millimetres. M--■' • or ••• <lr.» - I 01 S of Elia V'’ ■ ■ 'UH I. by I the different drum.- sad the|. mm. < <-s----j taiuly looks like pr-n big «<m* u\ t;m ! keenest contests yet seen on Inc French roads. In connecton with this event, it is interesting to note that the British motor trade have scored a distinct triumph with ther detachable wheels, for practically all the French firms have fitted their cars with either Rudge-Whif.worth, Dunlop, or Riley detachable wheels and tin's in face of the fact that a few years back the French Automobile Club barred detachable wheels as being unsafe. J. Do Rosier, America’s champion motor cyclist, has arrived in England to take part in various speed events, particularly in the Tourists’ trophy race, and to meet the English champion, C. R. Collier, in a match at Brooklands. De Rosier, who holds every world’s record, from one mile to the hour, has been racing since 189 S, and during that period has broken an ankle, collarbone, left arm, several ribs, besides being scarred from head to foot from his various smashes. As showing * the type of rider Do Rosier is, it may he mentioned that he has ridden 24 miles on the road in 26 minutes over an out and home six-miles course, the competitors having to turn round a barrel at each end. His match with Collier is looked forward to as one of the sporting events of the' year in English motoring circles. Air S. F. Cody, the well-known English aviator who has hail charge of the British Army Aeronautical Department, is'desirous of coming out to Australia for the purpose of opening an aviation school in this country. Chatting in London with Mr C. B. Kellow, the, well-known Victorian motorist, Mr Cody stated that ho was desirous of forming a company for the purpose of handling aeroplanes, etc., in Australia, and he and his two sons are prepared to come on behalf of such a company if satisfactory inducements are offered. Mr Cody has designed several aeroplanes for the British War Department and has accomplished some very lino flights in England. If the Commonwealth Government want to foster aoroplaning in this country here’s the opportunity of getting the right man.