FIRST RABE TO AMERICA

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1932, Page 7

FIRST RABE TO AMERICA

BRITISH BOAT HAS TROUBLE

HAIRMSWORTH TROPHY HEAT ROUGH COURSE AT DETROIT FAST TIME NOT POSSIBLE By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Detroit, Sept. 3. ' Gar Wood (United States) to-day won the first motor-boat race against Kayo Don (Britain) in the match for the Harms worth Trophy. The start delayed half an hour 'by rain. Don led from the start and held the advantage for over half the distance. Then Wood pulled up and took the victory. The poor weather prevented fast time. 1 Don led for the first 28 miles. Then Wood, who had. been trailing a mile and a-half behind, opened up. He finished almost two miles ahead of the Englishman, who seemed in difficulty. The 100,000 spectators seemed stunned as Wood swept over the finishing line. Despite Wood’s victory Don did the fastest lap, Miss England TH circling the course the first time at a speed, of 88.085 statute miles an hour. Wood’s best lap was done at 87.387 iniles an hour. Wood’s average speed over the full course was 79.489 miles per hour and Don’s 71.265. The course was the most unsatisfactory in recent years, heavy rain and high winds creating nasty seas. The second, race will be held on Monday. Wood’s time for the course was announced as 30m. 48.75. and Don’s as 33m. 55.925, The trophy has been held by America since Wood won it 12 years ago at Southampton Water.

After the race Don said: "It was the greatest race in which I have ever driven and I enjoyed it immensely. Conditions were such that they made it somewhat difficult for the competitors. Unfortunately during the third lap we developed two troubles—first the throttle control at the carburettor and the starboard engine became detached, so only the port engine was working after the third lap; secondly the overflow pipe for the water circulation of the engine pulled out and shipped the water into the boat instead of overboard. I do want to offer my sincerest congratulations to Wood on his magnificent victory. I am looking forward with enthusiasm to the race on Monday.” Wood stated: “We ran the race just as planned and did not have the boat wide open at any time.”