Automobiling.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VI, 8 August 1903, Page 366

Automobiling.

Much discussion has recently arisen among sportswomen as to the capabilities of women as drivers of motor cars. It is argued that, being of a more nervous disposition than men, and more susceptible to excitement, the fair sex are not reliable skippers of a fast machine, writes Miss Lane-Jackson in “Madame.” This, with the few usual exceptions to every rule, is undeniably true, but it applies only to the driving of machines which only the most vain, or the most reckless, among men care to undertake. There are thousands of good lady riders to hounds and good lady whips; why, therefore, should the sex be unable to provide good automobilists? As a rule, the feminine touch is more rapid, accurate -'nd delicate than a man’s, and these ate all desirable attributes in the proper handling of a motor-car. That the majority of my

sex lack the pluck, or recklessness, as it is variously estimated, necessary to drive a car at fifty or sixty miles an hour, is, in my humble opinion, something to be t hankful for. There is little doubt but that ladies may drive the ordinary “knock-about” car, either in town or the country,.without risk, if they use proper discretion, and that they will derive a great amount of enjoyment from the pastime goes without saying. In one way, women can exercise a most beneficial influence in this new sport, or pastime, whichever it be, and that is by discountenancing racing and unduly rapid driving. The recent terrible accident at (.a Turbie, in which that capital sports man, Count Zborowsky, met an untimely death, has brought this subject forcibly home to motorists in particular, and the public in general. This fatal accident occurred in a race, and was caused by the front wheels failing to grip the

road at a sharp turn when the car was travelling at about seventy miles an hour. It seems to be pretty generally conceded by experts that When such a pace as this Is required tile steering may at any time become unreliable, because the vibration is so great that the front wheels may be of! the ground for an appreciable time. As a fraction of a second at such times suffices for the ear to dash from the road into the wall which guards it or over the ledge if it is unguarded, it is easy to understand how quickly such accidents may happen, and to realise that every exertion should be made to prevent drivers risking their own lives and the lives of others by participating in such dangerous and useless competitions.

I am sure that no sensible woman would object to motor-racing if any practical benefit to humanity resulted from it. But this result is certainly not achieved by travelling at such a haz-

ardous pace as that which causef Count Zborowsky’s death. The speed of our railway engines has been greatly accelerated during the last few years, but it was not considered necessary to have races to arrive at that improvement. If it is thought to be essential that the full amount of speed obtainable by any car should be ascertained, it could well be done by testing it for speed much as our Atlantic greyhounds are tried over a measured mile, and having satisfied themselves on the subject, those interested could permit the car to be utilised for the ordinary purpose for which motors are built.

Having tried my ’prentice hand at driving a car, and having been driven at various rates of speed, say from the statutory twelve miles to about sixty miles an hour, I may be excused for giving my readers the benefit of my experience. First let me advise beginners never to start in busy thoroughfares. Good

wide ountry roads should be stuck to until the necessary “touch” and the knowledge of the levers, etc., have been acquired. Then drive slowly among the traffic, always keeping the foot on the foot-brake, and never looking anywhere but in front. After sufficient discipline and practice of this nature the rest is easy, and handling a car comes to feel as natural as driving a horse, while the steering is really easier, for the machine is even more obedient than the animal As a passenger a lady should be companionable without being too conversational. She should riot talk to the “man at the wheel” when there is much traffic about, or when there are difficult corners fo 6e negotiated. If she is sensible she " ill tell him that she prefers a reasonable speed to an express rate of progression. °

Recently a friend of mine, anxious to snow what his new 40-h.p. Panhard woul I do, took me from Paris to Dieppe. For many miles the road runs parallel to thrailway, and when the Continental express overtook us my charioteer joined issue, and for about half-an-hour I suffered the agony of travelling at a rate exceeding fifty miles .an hour. My feelings are better imagined than describ’d, for although I am far from being a nervous woman, I would advise any of my readers who are invited to enjoy (?) a similar experience to flatly refuse. On the other hand, when driven by a rational man and at a reasonable speed. I knowfew things more enjoyable than a skim over the country on a good ear: one that goes easily, quietly, and that does not have to crawl up hill and struggle to get to the top. For such trips one should always be very thickly clad, for even in summer the rush through the air causes the chilliness of winter. A small, wellfitting hat should be worn, and this and the whole of the head and neck should be covered with a gauze hood, with a transparent mask in front for the eyes. Box cloth is a good material for the coat or cape, for the dust will penetrate any loose material, and can then only be removed with great difficulty.