LAND SPEED RECORDS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18617, 12 July 1930, Page 11

LAND SPEED RECORDS

KAYE DON’S ATTEMPTS. Interesting details regarding the failure of Kaye Don’s recent attempt to create a new world’s speed record with his “Silver Bullet,” at Daytona Beach, United States, are given in a letter by Mr L. Warren Baker, chief 'toward and representative of the American Automobile Association, to the Contest Board of the American A.A. at Washington D.C. reading as follows:—“It is very unfortunate that a combination of circumstances has prevented Mr Don from achieving his purpose in coming to America. At no time during the trial period of the Silver Bullet,’ has the beach course offered an opportunity to make a serious attempt to drive the car at a speed in excess of 231 m.p.h., which is necessary to break the record. I believe that had the trial period been given dates in January or February, the beach would have offered every opportunity for a record-breaking run. In view of Mr Don’s experience at Daytona Beach this year, I would suggest that the Contest Board in the future refuse to grant a sanction for the holding of an unlimited class trial on at a date later than February _ 28. After that date a perfect beach is very improbable and it is certainly necessary for beach conditions to be perfect for a record-breaking attempt now that the record speed is almost four miles a minute.”

Condition of the Beach. “On April 11, the day before Mr Don’s departure from Daytona Beach, arrangements had been made for an attempt. Beach conditions the previous day when a speed of 182 m.p.h. was made, seemed certain to improve over night as the wind continued to blow from the east. Mr Don inspected the beach on the morning of the 11th and stated that in his opinion it was not in conditions for a record run. About one hour later three members of the Race Committee went over the beach and expressed the opinion that the beach was in condition for a record run. This difference of opinion naturally created a situation likely to bring about a misunderstanding and feeling of distrust between the sanctioi.se and the entrant. While the members of the Race Committee did not and would not have insisted that Mr Don try for the record against his own judgment, they would naturally feel that he should take advantage of the first opportunity that in their judgment had presented itself. I had not yet made an inspection of the beach that morning, therefore I expressed no opinion at the time, and immediately went to the beach, while Mr Don waited at the garagq. The inspection convinced me that it would be foolhardy to attempt a record run under the conditions. The Race Committee concurred in my opinion that the course was unsafe for high speed, and I officially ruled the beach course unsafe for a record attempt, and I ordered Mr Don not to make the run. Mr Don made his decision postponing further attempts that night and his statement was issued the next morning.”

Kaye Don’s Skill. . “There has been some doubt expressed as to the ability of the “Silver Bullet” to perform at more than 200 m.p.h.

and some doubt expressed in some circles as to Mr Don’s ability to drive the car at more than that speed. I do not consider it worth while commenting on this latter belief. Mr Don’s reputation as a race driver makes that unnecessary. During his runs on the beach at times when officials thought it useless to attempt even a practice run, Don has reached speeds in excess of those considered safe. At all times the car appeared absolutely under full control of the driver, and not once has the car at any part of the course shown any sign of veering from its course in spite of the bumps, which at times tossed Don about in the cockpit and bruised his body. As to the possibility of the car itself not being able to attain record-breaking speed, there is no possible way for the race officials to have any grounds for entertaining such an opinion. It is true that mechanical trouble has been experienced, but all such trouble has been of a minor nature, affected by the performance of the super-charger, by back-firing of the engines. Mr Don carries with him the sincere regret on the part of the officials of Daytona Beach, and on the part of the race officials, that he has. been denied a chance to prove the capabilities of the car and driver, by circumstances beyond human control and it is sincerely hoped that he will decide to return to Daytona Beach in January, 1931, to renew his assaults on the world’s record.”

After having read this official information one is better able to appreciate the full truth of the failure of Mr Kaye Don’s attempt.