MOTORING NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20330, 13 June 1934, Page 11

MOTORING NOTES

j—- ■ -- BY

MAGNETO.

OVERLOADING. Misuse of the Motor Car. An adage tells us that willing people are always those most likely to be put upon, and we must take warning when we think that the modern car is surely the most willing thing of all time. Many small cars to-day are fitted with what the makers term extra “ occasional seats.” While cars with these seats fitted are probably designed to carry two full-grown people in the front with either two children or one adult in the back, it is quite certain they were never intended to carry four large people, and perhaps some luggage, on a long run. Yet it is not an uncommon sight to see four heavy adults journeying in a car of small capacity. As long as nothing breaks, many motorists think all must be well: four seats are here, fill them up. It may happen that nothing will ever break, such is the astounding strength of modern cars, but it is quite certain that persistent overloading will work an immense amount of harm. Small cars, by reason of their price, must be fitted with comparatively simple suspension systems, and, while these cars will put up with a great deal of abuse, there is no doubt but that the cumulative effects of constant misuse will be serious, and trouble may result in springs, engine or transmission.

Undoubtedly, cars will carry a great deal more weight than it was the intention of the designer that they should: and not only will they complete long journeys when overloaded, but they will achieve them with remarkably little loss of speed. Nevertheless, the damage may have been done. It is essential, therefore., when loading a car, to watch the clearance between the tyres and the wings, and the axle and the frame, since this will give a rough idea as to whether or not the willing beast is “ o’erladen.”

JAPANESE CARS. Big Production Planned for Next Two Years. A significant cable from Tokio states that during the last twelve months the Japanese output of automobiles has doubled and that the Japanese industry is budgeting for a four-fold expansion of production in the next two years. A new programme for placing cheap Japanese goods on the South African market includes provision for the sale of up-to-date two-seater motor-cars at £6O each, motor-cycles at £ls each and Bicycles at 35» each, states the Auckland “ Star.” Japan is out to make a name for herself in the motor market. In one year she has almost doubled her production of motor-cars. Now further increases are being planned. One firm is turning out cars at the rate of 1000 a year instead of the former 200 a year. Another firm, with an annual output of 300 cars, hopes to put the figures up to 500. The country’s total production, it is declared, can easily reach 10,000 a year in two or three years’ time. Sastern Market. It is common knowledge that Japanese competition with Great Britain has been . making itself felt in many fields, not- , ably in the export of cotton goods to India and other Eastern markets, wnei'e it has been very severe, but it will come as something of a surprise to many people to hear of this threat of new competition to England’s export trad£ of motor vehicles. India and the Ear East, the countries which have proved most vulnerable to Japanese competition in textiles, have recently been growing rapidly in importance as buyers of British motor vehicles. India and Ceylon increased their imports of British vehicles from 2700 in 1931 to 6200 last year. Over the same period British exports to Malaya increased from 670 to 1300 vehicles,' while exports to China rose from 300 to 1100 and to the Dutch East Indies from 100 to 950. Even in the Philippines the British car has slowly been ousting the American vehicle. Japan, of course, is conveniently situated for supplying the x\ustralian and New Zealand markets, which between them absorbed over 11.500 British vehicles last year, and her heavy purchase of wool, wheat and dairy produce are being used ruthlessly as a lever to compel the opening of these markets to her manufacturers. GAS LEAK DANGERS. A car will run indefinitely with a loose nut or blown gasKet on the exhaust manifold. The slight increase in engine noise may not be noticeable, but the exhaust gases will pass into the interior of the car and cause mysterious headaches and even sickness; but if the engine be cleaned regularly a loose nut •will be discovered at once, or the marks of escaping hot gases will be visible, and a new gasket fitted before the driver begins to feel off colour and without incurring doctor’s bills. In cleaning the chassis, a nut may be found missing from a steering pin; it can be replaced for a few’ pence, but if the car is driven without the owner being aware of the absence of the nut, the steering pin itself, and possibly other connections, will have to be renewed in time; and in any case the driver is running serious risks through not taking advantage of the frequent inspection of vital parts, an inspection which takes place automatical! v as a result of cleanliness. C.A.A. SPORTS SECTION. The Canterbury Automobile Association’s sports committee met on Monday evening, and it was decided to hold the postponed dance on Thursday, July 12. Prices for the dance have been reduced. In France there are 3.9 motors per mile of road, in Germany 6.3, in the United States 8.8, while in Britain there are 13 motors per mile of road.

MOTOR-CYCLING. Miniature T.T. Races This Week-end. FIXTURES. Canterbury Club. June 16—Hurly-burly at Tai Tapu. July 14—High speed trials. August s—Trip to Lake Lynden (weather permitting). September 15—Beach meeting. October 20—Hill climb. Pioneer Sports Club. June 17—Miniature T.T. races. The Pioneer Hill-climb. The Pioneer Sports Club’s hill-climb competitions on Saturday proved the excellence of the club’s selection of the course. A road hill-climb has far greater appeal for the modern motor-cyclist, since it does not require the special preparation nor is there so great a risk of mishap as on the grass type. The grade was not really steep enough, but the corners proved interesting. Entries were good and competition was keen. J. R. Bourne, who rides a Calthorpe, carried off the 350 c.c. race, but his time of 2!) 2-ssec was later beaten by V. C. Browne (A.J.S.), who recorded 27 2-ssec. E. H. Buckley (Harley-Davidson) was not far away with 29 3-ssec. Times in the 500 c.c. competition were better, L. Harrington (O.K. Supreme) recording fastest for the day with 26 3-ssee. A newcomer, J. Brewer (Sunbeam) performed splendidly to record 26 3-ssec. Rus 1 ovegrove (Norton) was third fastest with 27sec. The sealed handicap was a successful experiment, and should encourage new riders to compete in future events. Canterbury Club T.T. Owing to the course at Coutts Island being unsuitable for the hurly-burly the event will now be run on Mr JWood's farm at Tai Tapu. Entries will close at the various motor-cycle shops on Friday. June 15. at 9 p.m., and no entrance fee will be charged. Competitors are requested to note that they will now assemble at the Addington tram terminus on Saturday at 2 15 p.m. shorn, and from there will be directed to the course. Trophies to the value of £1 will be presented to the placed competitors, and Points will again be awarded for the Sternol Cup. Club Dance, The Canterbury Club will hold a dance in the Canterbury Automobile Association's hall on Wednesday. June 27, at S p.m. During the evening items will be rendered by several well-known loco! artists. Tickets are now obtainable from the various motor-cycle shops or the secretary. Membership Campaign. A membership campaign is also being held by the Canterbury Club, and a prize of 10s a quarter will be given to the member obtaining the greatest number of new members each quarter, <-ommencing from June 1. The conditions are as follows: (1) No prize will he awarded in any quarter. unless at least one member obtains six or more new members: (2) the prize-money is cumulative, and if the minimum of six new members by at least one competitor is not reached in any particular quarter, then the 10s prize-miney will be added to the 10s for the following quarter, thus making the prize £l, and so on: (3) each membership form sent in must have the name of the proposer written thereon, otherwise same will be null and void as far as the competition is conerned: (4) the decision of the executive committee as to the price-winners will be final. Membership forms nre obtainable from the secretary. 210. Madras Street, or from any of the motor-cycle shops. Miniature T.T.

On Sunday next the Pioneer Club will hold a Tourist Trophy race on Mr Shiplev's property at Hare-wood. Six rares •will be provided. This will be the concluding event of the club's season. On Saturday afternoon the course will be open for practice and club officials w * l be leaving the club-rooms a t 2 pm. Hot water, tea. sugar and milk will he provided. Members will leave the <• übrooms at 10.30 a.tn. Junior Toonst Tro"V>y Race in Isle of Man. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON. June 11. The Junior Tourist Trophy motorcycle race over the Isle of Man mountain course was won in record time by J. Outhrie. with J. H. Simpson. Osec behind. The average speeds were <9.1 o and 79.10 miles an hour respectively Both men were on Norton machines. G. Nott was third, with an average speed of 76.93 miles an hour. Guthrie broke the lap record on the second round, averaging SO.II ml'os ar hour.

NUVOLARI’S CRASH

Hurled Over Precipice After Collision. Further details of the accident that resulted in serious injuries being received by the famous Italian driver, Tazio Nuvolari. during the Bordino Grand Prix late in April, are published in a recent issue of ” The Motor.” Several serious accidents in one of which Tazio Nuvolari had one leg badly fractured, and another driver, pedrazzini, lost his life, marred the motor race for the Grand Prix Bordino held over the Alessandria circuit, the report states. Torrential rain throughout the race rendered the track very dangerous, and accident followed accident. Pedrazzini. who crashed into a fence and then hurtled on to collide with a tree, injured both his legs and broke two ribs. He was taken to a hospital, but later succumbed to his injuries. Nuvolari had a miraculous escape from death. Iti the fifth Jap he was racing neck and neck with his famous rival, Varz!, when their cars collided. Varzi managed to regain control of his car, but Nuvolari was hurled helplessly down a precipice. The car rolled over three times and was smashed to pieces. Nuvolari was picked up with one leg broken, a compound fracture and other grave injuries. Thus a duel between the two famous rivals, Nuvolari and Varzi, which has been going on for four years, ended in disaster. Vurzi, who has many big victories to his credit, went on to win the race at the record average speed of 136.882 kilometres an hour (85.05 miles an hour). He drove an Alfa Romeo; Nuvolari a Maserati.