LAND SPEED RECORD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18653, 23 August 1930, Page 10

LAND SPEED RECORD

“WIZARD” SMITH’S ATTEMPT. The well-known racing motorist, Mr Norman (“Wizard”) Smith, who intends making an attempt to lower the late Sir Henry Segrave’s land speed record of 231.36 miles an hour, states that good progress is being made by Messrs. Harkness and Hillier, Limited, the Sydney engineering firm, with the construction of the special chassis for the 2000 h.p. Rolls-Royce aeroplane engine designed for the Schneider Trophy races. This engine, of which no detailed specifications have been disclosed by the makers, except that its bore and stroke is said to be 6in. by 6*in. and that the power is one h.p. per 12oz. weight, is being loaned by the British Government for Smith’s attempt to better the speed attained by the late Sir Henry’s “Golden Arrow.” It is the intention to streamline the Australian creation on somewhat similar lines to the “Golden Arrow,” which ■was recently on view at automobile shows throughout the Commonwealth and will shortly appear in New Zealand. It is contended that Segrave’s car achieved its objects and held its course at 231 miles an hour, whereas, although it has been reported that Kaye Don’s “Silver Bullet” offered only 56 per cent, of the head resistance of the “Golden Arrow,” Don’s car never had an opportunity of displaying its steadiness under actual record breaking conditions, owing to the rough surface of the Daytona beach.

Control During Racing. A reply to the application of the Auckland Automobile Association for the coritrol of the Ninety Mile Beach during speed tests by famous racing motorists was received from the Hon. J. B. Donald early in July. The Minister said the question of giving any club the sole right to use the beach could not be considered favourably. However, sympathetic consideration would be given an application for the use of the beach on a specified occasion, when the conditions under which permission could be granted would be discussed. A member of the council of the A.A.A., Mr H. Butcher, is at present in England and hopes to interest some of the more famous racing drivers in the possibilities of the Ninety Mile Beach. At a dinner in London last Monday, Mr Butcher, showed a film of the Ninety Mile Beach in the presence of several prominent drivers. He is also making inquiries concerning various types of timing apparatus, as it is essential that some accurate machine for timing should be available when attempts on world’s records are made.