Page 34 Advertisements Column 3

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19240, 29 November 1930, Page 34 (Supplement)

NOTE.—A few weeks ago the cables told of the new records set up at Brooklands in the “Flying 500” motor race. Details are now to hand of this epic contest. The following condensed report of the event, taken from reliable English journals, is authorised by Messrs. DAVID CROZIER LTD., “Austin” Distributors. BROOKLANDS FASTEST RACE AUSTIN BABY SHOWS HEELS TO INTERNATIONAL FIELD RACE WON AT RECORD SPEED Details of the “ Flying Five Hundred 99 122.9 Miles per Hour I*—AUSTIN (Britain), The Earl oS March and S. C. H. Davis. 6hrs. Omin. 13secs* 2. —Bentley (Britain), J. D. Benjafield and E. R. Hall. 6hrs. 7mins. 34secs. 3. —Sunbeam (Britain), H. W. Purdy and L. Cushman. 6hrs. 17mins. 23secs. 4* —Talbot (Britain), The Earl Howe and B. E. Lewis. 6hrs. ISmins. 42secs. s*—Amilcar (France), R. P. Twist and R. C. Porter. 6hrs. 20mins. 4secs. Such was the result of the British Racing Drivers’ 500 Mile Handicap, held at Brooklands on Saturday, October 4th. The event is the fastest race staged on the famous track. Thirty-seven cars from the most famous racing makers in the world started. But such was the terrific pace only nine finished. In a thrilling duel between big and small cars, the Austin 7 maintained the lead and won by a matter of minutes. Davis’s (Austin) skilful driving averted disaster when a rear wheel (shed by Dunfee’s Sunbeam) flashed across his track. In spite of desperate weather the “500” was judged “just about as good a race as there has ever been on the track.” Towards the finish Benjafield (Bentley) pushed his lap speed to the astonishing figure of 122.97 m.p.h., and held a consistent lap speed of 120 m.p.h. Instantly, the Austin 7 increased to 87 m.p.h., and it was a fine sight to watch the giant Bentley and the tiny little orange Austin (travelling faster than a car of this class has ever done in such a race), while the drivers watched each other’s every move and change of tactics. Fast as the Bentley went, and it averaged the highest speed ever recorded in a race, magnificently as Benjafield drove it, the small Austin held its place (now doing nearly 90 m.p.h.) to cross the line a triumphant winner. Undoubtedly the little victor and its driver earned their laurels, for, apart from the matter of handicap, their average speed was higher than that of the existing record by a very big margin. HI SB h 7/a An impression (vide “Autocar,” October 10th), of the remarkable incident when a Sunbeam shed one of its wheels, narrowly missing S. C. H. Davis s winning Austin. Tragedy Narrowly Averted LONDON, Saturday. One by one the wonderful machines crumpled up under the terrific demands made upon them. There is no reproach in this, for many engineers claim that materials cannot possibly stand the fatigue engendered by such a terrific gruelling. All competitors felt the strain of the terrific fight. Actual class battles were obscured by the thrills of the main combat. The whole centre of interest continued in the great fight between the Austin 7, the Delage, the Riley, the Grand Prix Sunbeam, and the Bentleys. As the race proceeded the sun broke through, drying the track. This was extremely welcome relief for the drivers after the morning’s unpleasantness. Once, as a group of fast machines swept by, somebody’s helmet flew off to be hit again and again by the racing machines until only the pulp remained. Car crews became unrecognisably black, cai(s lost the crispness of their exhaust and showed obvious signs of the stress of a long, fast race. More and more it became a question of fighting off serious mechanical trouble in the hope of finishing. f continued to averaging parently in perfe.ct fettle. note went by i.p.11., and apPressman and Peer. —S. C. H. Davis (left) and th 3 Earl of March, who piloted the Austin Seven to a remarkable victory on the Brooklands Track in Britain’s fastest speed event. Austin Career Almost Terminated. Then with dramatic suddenness its career was almost terminated. The thing happened thus: Cleve Dunfee had already come in to re-fasten the steering column steady bracket of the Sunbeam. He had only just left again when one rear axle driving shaft broke. The car crashed down on its brakes, and the right-hand rear wheel with a foot or two of its shaft hurtled off into the centre of the track. Davis carried St. Christopher on his dashboard, and the little Saint must have been watching over him, when at 90 m.p.h. he was compelled to negotiate the Austin 7 in some hurried acrobatics in order to miss the huge bounding wheel off the Sunbeam. Davis’s Austin missed the flying obstacle by what seemed inches. Baby Austin’s Triumphant “Last Ounce.” Consistently showing improvement on the handicap, the Austin then set itself grimly to hold its position, for although the mortality Jiad been high the giant Bentley was making its one last effort to win. Then ensued the extraordinary duel between Davis and Benjafield. Up went the Bentley speed to 122.97—a record for the race. It looked as though the Bentley might do it. But the little car continued to harass the magnificent Bentley performance. The Austin pits saw the danger. They signalled Davis for more speed. llow optimistic! Was not the Austin producing marvellously for its tiny compass? Over 4l>o miles of the gruelling pace had been run. What else could'be done! But somehow the Baby produced the extra revs, required, lapping now at very nearly ninety. The small car hqld its place. It crossed the line a winner, the finish flag fluttered, and the flame-coloured Austin, piloted by Pressman and Peer, and handled with such consummate skill, looked more pugnacious and formidable than it had been when it started six hours thirteen seconds before. Nine of the 37 cara starting finished the race. It will be observed that the Bentley, which gained second place, baa an engine capacity more than five times that of the winning Austin. It is good to observe that the first four are all British. THE RACE IN OUTLINE. LENGTH OF RACE—SOO miles/ THE * COURSE—Brooklands Track. TITLE British Racing Drivers’ Club Handicap. STARTED—37 Cara, representing makers of England, France, Italy, Belgium. TIME—6 hours, 0 minute*, 13 seconds. RECORDS Fastest race staged on Brooklands by both big and small cars. When deciding oat a Light Car, remember the Austii* 7 achieve ments and all that they imply Could more convincing proof of the Davis’s Austin is basically the same basic correctness of Austin 7 design car as you can buy. Austin does not and build be found? It is well to re- build racing cars but only adapts member that the patented features that stun dard models fo’r competitive work. m3 «le the Austin Seven the pioneer light Tjle design, materials and workmanship car are found only in the Austin. It . .. is for these features that America, 111 °' er 3’ Austin so Prance and Germany pay royalty rights to use them. This shows their When deciding on a light car rememessential nature in light cur construe- k® r Austin 7 achievements, and all tiott. that they imply. ilablo, It The new still the s with improvements in comfort and refinement four adults comfortably. But Austin econ&niy—running costs are less than tram fares—and Austin performance are still its proud heritage and funda mental distinction. NEW AUSTIN SEVENS FROM £l9O. ierpioee Prices range from £l9O f.o.b. beauty, ports. Pay £SO deposit and 'di iv scats car away. The balance will ! Austin in 12 or IS month.y paymen spread When demonstrate? DAVID CROZIER LTD., Worcester Street West, Christchurch*