CYCLING AND MOTORING NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 17, 5 September 1911, Page 3

CYCLING AND MOTORING NOTES.

What an improvement has been made in carhuration and engine efficiency during the past few years. A petrol consumption test, held In Sydney recently by the Automobile Club of Xew South Wales, brings home' in no uncertain manner the wonderful advancement effected. The winner of the test, on formula drove a 4cylindcr, 10 h.p. car 10 miles 900 yards on a wot and bumpy road on half'”a gallon of petrol, or equal to over 33 miles a gallon. The total weight of the car with passengers was 29 cwt. The furthest distance recorded was by a 7-8, twin-cylinder car (weight lo.'.cwt.), which covered IS miles 1573 yards on the same quantity of petrol, equivalent to 37 miles 1380 yards to the gallon. The above figures are official, whilst the petrol supply was drawn from special half-gallon tanks supplied by the Club.

The recent two big motor speed events decided in Europe, viz., tbe Standard Car Race, over 277 miles on the Brooklands racing track (Loudon) and the high car race in France over the Boulogne circuit (380 miles), have endorsed the opinion that is becoming general in motoring circles in Europe and America, that the 15 to 20 h.p. engine is the power at which economy combines with efficiency in the most satisfactory proportions. The reign of big-powered engines is giving' way to the more efficient, more l durable, and more economical mediumpowered engine. The gain in efficiency has rendered it possible and advisable. Big powers are not wanted now-a-days except in exceptional cases, for the 15-20 h.p. motor car of today will do all—in fact, more—than the “thirty” of two or three years back. The standard and popular car of the future is evidently going to range between 15 h.p. and 20 h.p.

A startling innovation in motor engine construction will be placed on the market by a well-known Italian motor concern at an early date. The new feature is a variable stroke, which is actuated from the steering wheel, the same as a throttle lever, and by which the stroke of the pistons in the cylinders is shortened or lengthened, thus effecting the volume of explosive mixture and the speed of the engine. For three years the inventors have been quietly testing the variable stroke engine on the roads, and the results have been so satisfactory that the company—which is a most fconservativo one—are now going' to manufacture the new :type of engine as one of their standard models. The big advantage claimed for the variable stroke engine is its flexibility—for, like a steam engine, tilei power can l)c increased uifc will, thus doing away with all gear! changing, the'only gear needed being a reVerse. What this means only motorists can appreciate. The change "speed ’gear 1 boxr’is’ one of the most expensive parts of the motor car to construct, and its elimination would be a great advance towards the perfect motbiH' How the variable stroke is obtained has not yet been disclosed, blit ' further particulars of the Italian : Invention will no doubt be available at an early date. . 11

We arc in receipt of a most interesting and welj-gotton up. 72-page booklet entitled “All About Cycling” from the Dunlop Rubber Company. It treats upon the utility and handiness of the bicycle, the enjoyment and health to be derived from • i. its use, training and condition for road and track racing, whilst special attention is directed to touring and to the cam of both tyres and machine. From a cyclist’s point of view »tho brochure is a most instructive and valuable one," and as it is being distributed gratis to wheelmen there is little doubt that the production will bo in great demand amongst cyclists. The booklet can be obtained from any of the Dunlop Company’s depots. Applicats through the post are requested to enclose a penny stamp to cover cost of postage. An English cyclist, named W. H. Wells, has, for the first time in the history of cycling, ridden 100 miles a day for 100 consecutive days. Strange to say, the cyclist who accomplished this series of centuries on. the road is over fifty years of age. ; The lateset English mails .bring word of the progress of the great French road event, the “Tour de France.” At that time almost half of the 0318 miles’ course had been negotiated, spread over six sections. The first stage, Paris to Dunkirk (218 miles), was won by Clarrigou in 12hr 32min; the second, Dunkirk to Longroy (241 miles), saw Masselis first home in 13hr 30min; the third, from Longroy to Belfast (205 miles), foil to Faber (third in the first section and second in the second stage), i who put up a line ride by covering the 1 two hundred and odd miles in lOhr | 50min. Crnpelandt won the fourth | stage, from Belfast to Chamonix (213 miles), in llhr Kimin. The fifth and j severest section, from Chamonix to I Grenoble, including a 20 miles’ up-hill 1 climb up over Mount Gabbier, was won by Georgct in 13hr 35min. Georget, who is one of the best road riders in Europe, commenced the climb at 11 o’clock, and without a dismount reached the summit at 1.30, the 20 miles’ climb taking 2V hours. A wonderful piece of sustained riding. The sixth section, from Grenoble (228 miles) was won by Faber in 13hr 17min. On points, Garrigou was leading in this gigantic road event when the mail left. The premier motor event of France —the Grand I’rix—was decided over La Mans Circuit on the 23rd July. The event was won by the’well-known driver, Hcmerery, who drove a Fiat, and covered .the 102 miles in 7hr (hum 30sec., an average speed of SG.V miles an hour. Fourteen cars started, and Hemcry was the only competitor who had finished when the race was called off. The race was nothing like the old-time big French contest, and was ' uninteresting Unfortunately the

event resulted in the death ol Maurice Fonraier and his mechanician through the breaking of the front axle of his car, which overturned into a ditch. The race was held in terrific heat—--102 deg. in lh( i shade. The revival of this event will he regretted by the French trade, for the Grand Prix lias again gone into Italian hands, the principal reason why this event was abandoned a lew years hack.