SPEED MACHINE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 257, 29 October 1931, Page 5

SPEED MACHINE.

“ Wizard ” Smith Holds an Amazing Test. 90 M.P.H. IN LOW GEAR. (Special to the ” Star.”) SYDNEY, October 15. In a secret test of the Enterprise car in Sydney, “ Wizard ” Smith, the speed motorist, exceeded ninety miles an hour in low gear. This indicates a possible speed of 310 m.p.h. when he makes an attempt upon the world record in New Zealand between December 6 and 10. Built in Sydney at a cost of £42,000, the Enterprise will be shipped from Sydney before November 10. The exact date for the record will depend on weather conditions. If possible a day will be chosen with a wind of less than five miles an hour, as the record has to be a mean for two onemile runs in opposite directions. In the test at which he exceeded 90 m.p.h. in low gear, the £BOOO “ Hush Hush ” twelve-cylinder Napier aero engine, lent for the attempt by the British Air Ministry, recorded only 2800 revolutions a minute. Calculating on the high gear ratio and the fact that the engine develops maximum power (1750 h.p.), at 4200 revolutions, a maximum speed of 310 m.p.h. should be possible. The car has less wind resistance and turbulence suction than any previous record car. Smith is confident of lifting the record of 300 m.p.h., but the short life of the special tyres under such speed, and the twenty-five-hour life limit of the engine, may limit the record to about 280 m.p.h. Each of the tyres has cost £125, and twelve will be shipped with the car. The giant car now rests complete at the works of Harkness and Hillier, in Parramatta Road, Burwood (New South Wales). Throughout it has been designed and built by Mr Don Harkness —perhaps the most brilliant automotive engineer in Australia.