MOTOR AND CYCLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1927, Page 8

MOTOR AND CYCLE.

MOTOR COMPETITION. I BY LAND, AIR AND WATER. BLUE RIBAND EVENTS IN ENGLAND. (By H. Massac Buist). London, Feb. 17. The work of renovating the Brooklands Automobile Racing Club's track, has an additional interest this year because the most important motor car race in the world will be held, there on October 1. It will, of course, witness the concluding event in the international, long distance series whereby the Motor Car Championship of the world, 1927, will be determined. For the first time ferro-concrete has been used in rebuilding portions of the track—a concession to the lightness and speed of the latest cars. Inasmuch as the championship is determined by the highest score achieved in the British, French, Spanish, and Italian Grand Prix races, and in the Indianapolis 500 miles race on May 30— which last is the first of the series to be held—it is in the interests of the competitors and of the spectators at Weybridge that every nation qualified should be represented. Austrian and German cars will be eligible, and it is already understood that an Austrian team will be entered. In some foreign countries cars are driven on the left instead of the right side. For two years past the rules in the United States of America for the racing of 1,500 c.c. engined, supercharged cars have allowed a central seating position for the driver, which is certainly quite sensible so long as it can be done without prejudice to the minimum body width, and so forth. It makes for better balance in an age in which a mechanic is no longer allowed to be carried. If in the event of an involuntary stop any driver does not wish to wind up one of these little engines, the manufacturer can substitute, for the weight of the mechanic, an electrical engine-starter. . These miniature multicylinder engines—scarcely any competitor uses four cylinders only: nearly all favour 6 and 8«-are sufficiently well balanced to be easy to turn. Inasmuch as the Royal Automobile Club has recast its rules, now permitting a central seating position, the only obstacle that prevented American competitors taking part in this European series of races has been removed. COMPETITORS AND CONDITIONS. Perhaps the only regulation that concerns mechanism that is different from conditions obtaining for these events abroad, where each competitor can create as much noise as he chooses, is that the Brooklands Supplementary Regulation No. 21, requiring the use of an efficient silencer, will apply on Oct. 1, to the Royal Automobile Club’s second Grand Prix race. All cars must -be fitted with two independent sets of brakes, with a reverse gear actuated by the engine, and with a reflector mirror of 80 square centimetres effective surface in order to allow a driver to see distinctly a ear the driver of which wishes to overtake him. The complete colour schemes, whereby it will be possible easily to recognise the nationality of any given competitor throughout the race, has been drawn up in the regulations now issued. Thereby the German cars will be painted white and carry red numbers; the Austrian white and black with red numiters on a white ground; the Belgian yellow with black numbers; the Spanish yellow and red with white numbers bn a red ground; the French blue with white numbers; the British green with white numbers; the Italian red with white numbers; the Swiss red and white with white numbers on a red ground; and the. U.S.A, white and blue with blue numbers on a white ground. Those are the . number of countries in which motor manufacturing is undertaken and which are eligible to compete.

« Hitherto no Dutch car has taken part in any of the big international long distance Blue Riband races organised under the general competition rules of the Association Internationale des 'Autobomile Clubs Reconnus. It is understood that Switzerland will not compete; it is doubtful if the Spanish industry will enter; and it is almost certain that Belgium will not. For the moment the position of Germany is uncertain, the likelihood being’ that she will not compete. Italy is expected to send at least one team of cars, but it may not be a Fiat team. Curiously enough, it is doubtful if Britain will put in teams of three cars of any one make, though single cars of a maker will be run. The main desire is to get the United States’ industry to come forward. DRIVERS AND PRACTICE. The entrant of the winning ear will receive a cash prize of £lOOO, the nominator of the second, past the post £3OO, and of the third £2OO. Only one change of driver will be allowed during the race. No driver of less than 18 years may compete. Throughout the race every driver must wear a crash helmet. The Royal Automobile Club can refuse any entry, or driver, without stating reasons. The race will be a better test than last year. The track will be in a better condition and again provided with artificial turns for testing brakes, steering gears and acceleration in the course of every lap. Also the distance has been increased from 287 to 325 miles. Not more than four cars will be placed no matter how many competitors race. When the fourth machine has passed the post, all the others will ■be stopped at the end of the lap on which each is then engaged. Scoring for the Motor Car Championship, 1927, is done entirely from among the four machines placed in this and in the preceding international races of this series this -season. Entries close at 6 p.m. on July 1; but late entries will be received at double fees up to 6 p.m. on September 1.

ITEMS OF INTEREST. - Check up on all four tyres before starting out for the day as a few revolutions of the wheel on a flat tyre can do much damage. * « * • There are over 160,000 motor vehicles in New Zealand of which 66J per cent, are cars; 13 per cent, commercial vehicles and 20 J per cent, motor-cycles. * # « »

If you cannot drive around glass on the roadway, free the clutch and allow your car to eoast over the glass. This decreases the chances of cutting the tyrec

Never use emery cloth or sandpaper to clean the distributor points as these materials will leave the surface uneven. A rubber eraser will leave ' a much cleaner and smoother surface. ‘ £l ’ # * # .vCJfi If lights show dim when you are usiiig the starter, a loose battery connection or a weak battery is indicated. The battery should bo kept fully charged 1 ' during wet weather when it is put to harder use. « * # • * A clean windshield on your car diminishes the glare of headlights on other cars. Keep the side wings clean, also. Do not use kerosene or petro. in water used for glass cleaning, as the film of oil remaining holds dust and moisture. ###?* Henry Ford has put an end to rumours of a six-cylinder ear under his name by issuing a statement declaring that “there will be no new models and no new Ford car is going, to be introduced, nor are we planning on any six'-cylinder ear.” # « #' * Country Policeman (to Mayor of a backblock village who has been knocked down by a passing motorist) ■ “You didn’t see the number, but you could swear to the driver?” The Victim: “I did, but I don’t think ’e ’eard me.” ® « " « You waste petrol when the throttle is kept wide open up a steep hill as you deliberate on shifting to second gear. If you shift before the car slows down your engine has the advantage of momentum. Momentum is a petrol saver. ■» « • ■ ■ s “I’m sure,” the wife hotly observed, “that there is nothing to be ashamed of in owning a second-hand car. I read in a motor paper that nowadays nearly everybody drives a second-hand car.” “Yes,” he moodily agreed, “I’ve got the second-hand ear that everybody drove!” * # * # Chauffeur: “The off-side front tyre has gone again, sir. I reckon they must have pinched the tube when they put it in at the garage.” Owner: “There is too much of this ‘pinching’ going on round there. Why only the other day you told mo that there was a plug missing. You had better lock the garage.” * * * * At an inquest at Coalville (England) on a man who had been killed by a motor bus, the North Leicestershire coroner condemned the practice of dimming headlights. As a motorist himself he had no hesitation in saying that to dim one’s light in response t another’s signal, was to ask for trouble. It was impossible for a driver to see what was in front of him if he had blacked his lights. If the lights dazzled him the driver should stop. (Prominent European motor organisations recetly passed resolutions urging members not to dim headlights.) * * • • Few motorists or cyclists realise what an important influence the pneumatic tyre has had on motoring and cycling, It can truthfully be said that the advent of this tyre—away back in 1888—really made both possibl . A remarkable feature of the pneumatic tyre is that the late J. B. Dunlop’s invention despite the fact that it was first marketed over 38 years ago, has never been improved on, although materials and construction have, but the basic principle is the same to-day as in 1888. Some 25,000,(100 motorists, and nearly as many cyclists are to-day enjoying the fruits of the IriJi doctor’s invention.