MOTOR-CAR SPEED RECORD

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1931, Page 5

MOTOR-CAR SPEED RECORD

SUCCESS OF THE BLUEBIRD TRIBUTE TO BRITISH MAKERS 1 » - SENSATIONS OF THE DRIVER By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. British Wireless. Rugby, Feb. 6. After establishing the world speed record of over 245 miles an hour Captain Malcolm Campbell said visibility was bad, particularly on the second run, and he had great difficulty in seeing where he was going. His sensations he described as ‘’falling only and falling upwards.” lie ascribed credit to his wonderful car and engine and said the record proved again the supremacy of British engineers and material., “The Bluebird behaved magnificently and I am convinced she did nothing like her maximum speed,” lie said. It would have been suicide to let her go full out in sueh conditions. I could see only 300 yards ahead in the northern run and lost speed, in consequence. Captain Campbell, who has had an adventurous career, began motor lacing in 1905 and in those early days also constructed successful aeroplanes. He served in the Air Force during the war. He spent a fortune in peace-time on record breaking attempts and previously held the world land record in 1928. Sir Henry Seagrave’s record of 231 miles an hour established in the Irving Special ‘‘Golden Arrow” exceeded his previous maximum land speed, by 24 miles an hour and the efforts lie made in the intervening two years failed to beat it. Captain Campbell’s supercharged Napier aero engine is similar to • those used, by the successful British team in tiie last Schneider trophy race. Britain now holds all the world speed records for land, sea and air. The World’s air record of 357 miles an hour Mas established by Squadron-Leader Orlebar and the water speed official record of 9b miles an hour was set up by Sir Henry Segrave in the speed-boat Miss England 11. last year. Other records held by Britain include motor-cycle (150.74 miles an hour), held by J. Wright, and the outboard boat speed record. (51.98 miles an hour) set up last aittumn by Charles Harrison.

Captain Campbell states that if his new record is subsequently surpassed he will hold the Bluebird, in readiness to regain his title. Among motoring and engineering experts the skill and courage of the driver uro enthusiastically praised. Those familiar with the tests which the Bluebird underwent before leaving England are convinced that she is capable of even a higher speed. The achievement is regarded as demonstrating not only the high quality .of craftsmanship and materials used in constructing the car, but also the soundness of design based on a long series of experiments with wind resistance.

NEW RECORD FOR SMALL CARS.

CAPTAIN CAMPBELL SUCCEEDS.

New York, Feb. 6.

A message from Daytona Beach states that Captain Campbell established a world’s speed record of 94.031 miles an hour for tiny automobiles with a pisjton displacement of less than 45 cubic inches. The previous record was 87.76 miles an hour.

ATTEMPT BY WIZARD SMITH.

ADVANTAGE OF 90 MILE BEACH.

Rec. 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 8. Discussing Captain Campbell’s Daytona records, Mr. Norman Smith, interviewed here yesterday, said his own attempt on the Ninety Mile Beach would have some advantage because the New Zealand beach Was .1000 feet wide at low tido with 3(5 milts in a perfectly straight line, -whereas Daytona was only nine miles long and 100 feet wide. Consequently “Wizard.” Smith hopes to eclipse Captain Campbell's achievement;