SPEED RECORD

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1935, Page 5

SPEED RECORD

301 MILES PER HOUR / BLUEBIRD ON SALT FLATS ONE MILE IN 11 SECONDS SIR M. CAMPBELL DRIVES FRONT TYRE BLOWS OUT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Wendover, Utah, Sept. 3. Sir Malcolm Campbell, holder of the world’s land speed record of 276.8 miles an hour, broke the record in his Bluebird car with an average speed of more than 300 miles an hour. The tests were made on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The American Automobile Association’s official contest board announced to-night that Sir Malcolm Campbell averaged 301.337 miles an hour. The board explained that the previously announced time of 299.875 miles an hour was an error caused by miscalculation. The first message stated that Sir Malcolm Campbell covered the measured mile at an average of 301.311 miles an hour on the first run but averaged 299.874 miles an hour for the mile and the return. He made the first run in 11.83 seconds into the glare of the sun with a slight favouring cross-wind, and the return in 12.18 seconds. The return run was made against a slight head-wind which the officials said accounted for the slower speed.

Subsequently it was announced that a third computation of the figures taken front the timing tape, as well as the timing tape itself, shows an error of .10 of a second in subtraction. Tlie statement of the board said that in order that it should be clearly understood just how the error was made the control board of the American Automobile Association gives the following explanation: The run northward over the measured mile was made in 11.83 seconds or at the rate of 304.331 miles an hour. The trip southward was actually made in 12.08 seconds or 298.013 miles an hour. The time for the measured mile had been given as 12.18' on that stretch. Sir Malcolm Campbell announced that he w’as leaving immediately for Salt Lake City en route to New York. He will sail on September 12 for London.

BLOW-OUT AT HIGH SPEED. Guided by a black line oiled into the track, Sir Malcolm steered the Bluebird with hardly a sway. Sir Malcolm said that the left front tyre blew out just after passing the measured mile on the first try. u lt made a loud pop and I swerved out of line. I snapped the old lady back quickly and there was not much trouble in the run to the stop. * “I was going around 300 miles an hour at times. The tyres were scorching hot; in fact I burned my fingers on one of them.” Mechanics worked frantically to change the tyres while Sir Malcolm ur'ged them on in order to complete-the two runs within the hour’s time prescribed for record attempts. Because of the blow-out Sir Malcolm Campbell stopped more quickly and it cost him about half a mile on the getaway for the second run. He said he thought this was partly responsible for the lower speed on the second trip. He said that half-way through the measured mile on the return trip he drove blindly because steam and exhaust fumes flowed into the cockpit owing to the ventilate:- on the front of the. car being closed. He was forced to open the shutter and was pelted by a stream of salt. \ , When informed of his time after the second run Sir Malcolm remarked: “For goodness sake! I’ve got to go through it all again.” Pressed whether he would make a second attempt he said: “Don’t bother me now; ,I’m a bit upset. ’ Later, however, he announced that he would make a second attempt to-morrow.

A British Official Wireless message states that the Minister of Transport, Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, and _ Lord Wakefield telegraphed congratulations to Sir Malcolm Campbell on his great achievement. Lord Wakefield said: “In raising the world land speed record to such an astonishing figure you nobly upheld the high reputation of British engineering and earned the admiration of motorists and sportsmen of all nations.’’