HIGH-ROAD & BY-ROAD

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 20 (Supplement)

HIGH-ROAD & BY-ROAD

A COLUMN FOR MOTORISTS

SMALL THINGS COUNT LESSONS OF THE RACE TRACK An example of the necessity for ! attention to the smallest detail in j car racing work was demonstrated ! on the Brooklands race-track during j the racing season of last year. A car from one of the best known makers on the Continent was entered in a long race and to the surprise of all concerned, over-heating set in j to such an extent that the car had [ to be withdrawn from the race. The j reason for the trouble was found in : the silencer. On all cars racing on ! Brooklands certain regulations re- ; garding the silencing arrangements ! have to be conformed to. It is required that a tail pipe be fitted to j all silencers and this pipe shall pro- ; trude into the silencer to a depth of i not less than two inches. On the j car in question the tail pipe was 1 made of toe light a material, 20 gauge tube being used in order to save excess weight. The result of running in special fuel caused the two inches inside the silencer to collapse and instead of the normal diameter of exit, 2 l-Bin the effective outlet of the pipe was reduced to an irregular form measuring about half an inch by one and a half inches, less than one-quarter of the original area for which the silencer was designed. This was just another example of the value of the research work which is constantly being carried out by the builders of racing vehicles. Materials which can prove their value on a racing vehicle are safe for use on the private car as sold to the public.

KEEP AN EYE ON TY r RE CUTS TIME SPENT WELL REWARDED At all times, but especially during the winter, should owners keep a look out for cuts in tyres. An examination is best carried out when the car is jacked up or on a lubricating hoist. With the wheels free to turn, a minute survey is possible. All cuts, however small, should be investigated as in many of them will be found tacks, pieces of glass or stone and other foreign matter whicn, if left, will possibly lead to punctures or will wear and chafe the tyre. For the probing a variety of tools may be used. Some use a pocket knife while others prefer a small screwdriver. All but the smallest cuts should be plugged with tyre putty. The use of this will prevent road matter and water getting into the casing of the tyre and setting up a rotting of the cords. The time spent in looking for the cuts in tyres and treating them in an appropriate manner will be well rewarded by an increased freedom from annoying troubles on the road.