SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13454, 27 June 1912, Page 3

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

CYCLING AND MOTORIN.G NOTES

' Motorists- will, be- interested to learn that the Westingb^ouse air spring—the invention of Mr. George Wectinghouse, whoso name is so well known throughout the world in connection with tho railway air brake couplings, which bear his name—will be shortly marketed in Australia. The device is not intended to roplaco the spring of a car, or even piiouinatjc tyres on passenger vehicles, its object being to eliminate all minor vibrations and to lessen big bumps. The indention is'-rather a complicated piece of mechanism to explain in print, but it. attains its object by the uso of compressed air, which acts as a cushion, and is in turn regulated by a quantity of oil, with which tho cylinder of the air spring is partly filled. The applianco is fitted to the back and front of a car chassis, and in appearance the cylinders ' are somewhat like an elongated thermos flask. Once they are fitted to :i car, little attention is needed for the proper working of the air springs beyond a periodical filling of the oil chamber. The Wostinghouso device is, in reality, an elaborate shock absorber. Judged from the drawings of the air spring, it is likely to b© an exponsive fitment, but if as effective as claimed it would soon pay for itself. In this country anything that will effectively smooth out tho | bumps usually associated with motoring on ours roads will be appreciated.

Whon it was cabled a few weeks back that J. Dawson had driven 500 miles in a motor car in the remarkable- timo of 6 hours, 21 minutes 6 seconds it was thought that the performance had been accomplished on tho road. It now appears that this wonderful feat was established in open competition on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, U.S.A., on the occasion of the big, annual motor car race for £10,000 worth of prizes. The event was the greatest of its kind yet held in the world. Every entrant for the race. had to show a speed of 75 miles per hour before liis nomination was received, and then only the 30 fastest drivers were allowed to compete.

Some most interesting particulars axe to hand of tho Avonderful speedway that has been erected at Indianapolis, U.S.A., for motor racing. In no other part of the world is such a complete speed track to bo found. The grounds cover an area of 328 acres, upon' which are erected 41 buildings, including grandstands and private boxes to seat 60,000 people, garages, aviation sheds, aerodromes, etc. There is accommodation for 200,000 spectators around the motor racing track, and parking facilities for 10,000 motor cars. The. racing track is 2^ miles in circumference, with a radius of 500 yards, at the turns, which are banked up 16. feet. The track is composed of vitrified bricks, 3,500,000 of which were used to pave-tho speedway. A strong cement wall three feet high is erected on tho outside edgo of the track to prevent accidents to spectators. Four railway services, besides tramway cars can deliver and take away from the grounds 10,000 people every fifteen minutes. The charges for important fixtures ;range from one dollar (4s 2d) to enter the cheaper portion,of the grounds, 2 dollars for tho best.part of tho grounds, up to 7 dollars for, box seats. Ordinary stand prices range, from one dollar extra up* to 2£ dollars for reserved seats, and they get a bigger paying gate than tho Victorian Racing Club does at Flemington racecourse on Melbourne Cup day. The racing track at Brooklands, England, is now a second class speed ground as compared to tho Indianapolis motor race course, and tho wonderful average of 75.9 miles per hour maintained by Dawson in the recent motor race on this track proves that it is faster for a big field of contestants! He covered 500 miles in 6 hours 21 minutes 6 seconds, as against the English record of 6 hours 21 minutes 16 seconds, which was accomplished in a drive against time with a clear track. The American sporting public have taken to automobile racing, and it appears to be now more popular than horse racing. ■

The great success of the six days' races in Sydney and Melbourne last season, will probably lead to another event of.the kind being held in Sydney next January. Special efforts are now being made by the promo , ' >-ing the forthcoming event • . prizes under the notice crack long distance ridei i ' ' ,<>f their, visiting Sydney-ioi . -» hi race. ■ ■

According" to the revised official figures there are now more than three million cyclists in France. The returns are based on the number of licenses sold in payment of tho aiiuual tax of 2s Gd per machine, and theso sales during the year 1911 reached tho total of 3,009,650: All French cyclists are obliged to pay an annual tax, and since 1907 this tax has been payable in the loading Government tobacco shop.s, a small ir.otal plate to bo attached to the machine constituting an official receipt of the payment of the tax. Last year's income- from the. cycle tax amounted to tho respectable sum of £351,156, all of which goes to the State.