PROPOSED RECORD-BREAKING ATTEMPT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 370, 13 September 1930, Page 21 (Supplement)

PROPOSED RECORD-BREAKING ATTEMPT

Mr Norman Smith, who is to make m attempt in New Zealand next January on the late Sir Henry Segravc’s world’s speed record of 23136 m.p.h., established at Daytona Beach, U.S.A., states that good progress is being made by Messrs Harkness and M'llier, Ltd.—the Sydney engineering firm — with the construction of the special chassis being built to house the 2000 h.p. Rolls-Royce aeroplane engine, built as a standby for the Schneider Trophy. This eng ne, of which no detailed specifications have been disclosed by the makers, except that its bore and stroke is said to be 6in by Olin, and that the

power output is one-horse power per 12 ounces of metal, is being loaned by the British Government for Smith’s attempt to better the speed attained by Segravc’s Dunlop-shod Golden Arrow.

It is the intention to streamline the Australian creation on a somewhat similar line to the Golden Arrow, which was recently on view at automobile shows throughout the Commonwealth, the contention being that Segravc’s car achieved its object, and held its course at 231 miles an hour whereas, although it has been reported that Kaye Don’s S’lver Bullet only offered 56 per cent, of the head resistance of the Golden Arrow, Don’s car novel had an opportunity of displaying its steadiness under actual record-breaking conditions, owing to the rough surface of the Davtona beach.

In discussing the speed capabilit’es of the natural speedway at the 90-Mile Beach, near Kaitaia, New Zealand, Norman Smith is most enthusiastic, and expresses the opinion that it is unrivalled fdr the purpose. The surface after the tide has receded is so hard that a heavy car, at high speed, hardly feathers the san J. The best stretch of beach is a 16 miles section, with a 200 yards’ wide track between the high and low tide marks at the narrowest point. Thu surface of the beach is almost flat, the fall to the water being less than 1 per cent., an important factor when a

21-ton car has to be kept on a straight course at exceedingly high speed. The visibility is so good that on a clear day one can sec for 35 miles along the beach.

As this beach is yttinted not far from Cape North, some 300 miles north of Auckland, and about 80 miles from the nearest railhead, and the racing car—which will be an Empire product —will have to be conveyed on a motor truck to the scene of operations. The New Zealand Government is rendering every assistance toward ensuring the success of the ambitious undertaking, and is already making arrangements for obtaining the necessary electric timing apparatus.