CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 979, 10 December 1908, Page 12

CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

The Melbourne Bicyc.e Club’s annual Austral Wheel Race carnival opened last Saturday, and will be concluded on Saturday next, as has already been stated. Prize money for the Austral Wheel Race is to be 10 per cent, of the gross takings at the two meetings, the minimum amount being fixed at £lOO split up, and the maximum £4OO. Five events are programmed—the Austral, M.B.C. P ace, Victoria, Mile, Derby (scratch race), and a Teams’ Handicap. Time was when the Austral was the great event of the cycling world in the colonies, but of later years it has had many rivals and appears to have lose much of it's former glory. To increase the attraction a big baloon ascent was to form a portion of the programme.

Entries for the Christmas run of the A.A.A. to Wairakei so far include

the h.p. Darracq; Mr Chas. Rhodes, 4 5 h.p. Daimler; Mr Julian, jun., 10 h.p. Oldsmobile; Mr W. E. Hutchison, 30 h.p. Oldsmobile; Mr W. B. Leyland. 15 h.p. Darracq; Mr G. W. Spragg 20-20 h.p. Darracq; Mr G. M. White, 12 h.p. Darracq; Mr J. H. Adams, 7 h.p. O’dsmobile; Mr C. F. Gardner, 10-12 h.p. Darracq; Mr Hardie, 10 h.p. Caddilac; Mr G. Henning, 25.30 h.p. Daimler. It is fully anticipated that three or four more cars will be included in the list. With fine weather the trip should prove highly enjoyable.

THE ONEHUNGA CYCLING TOURING CLUB.

This club had an enjoyable opening run from the Royal Oak to Mangere on Saturday when the following programme was subsequently run run through:—Messrs W. G. Rae and Ernest Sutherland acted as judges, while the starters were Messrs T. H. Pardington and S. H. Brooking. The following are the results: — Most' Comical Costume: J. Richardson (comic horse), 1; H. Elewellyn (a noisy girl on a tiny bike), 2.

Most Original Costume: G. Woolford (bride), 1; W. Knox (Chinaman), 2. Best Combined Display: F. Roget, E. aid G. Pople (the P. and S. Bush Tinkers), 1; Marks and Sims (Dr Kill-All and lady assistant, on a tandem,, 2. Fancy Costume: Mr W. Raw inson (Court Clown), 1; R. Pullen (Ould Nick), 2. Hill-climbing: G. Knight, 20yds, 1; N. Wadman, syds, 2; H. Flewellyn, scratch, 3. Free-wheeling: c. Mitchell, 1; H. Flewel'yn, 2; C. Denize, 3. Slow Race: O. Lecky, 1; B. Maberley, 2. Ladies’ Slow Race: Mrs R. Leathart, 1; Miss F. Pardington, 2.

the roading question..

It has passed into an axiom that the motor-car problem is a road prob ’em. so closely aTied are the two great interest I '. The In’ernational Road Congress opened its sittings at Pains on I.lth October last, and concluded its labours on 21st October. The Congress was divided into eighh sections and one hundred papers were read. The best known road engineers of France, England, Germany,

tina. Switzerland, Italy, Portugal and Russia par:ic.pated in the discussions. It is a grea. pity that some one of .he many road engineers of the Municipal Courier's of Australasia who have been sent abroad to acquire some modern knowledge of road-making could not have been present at this great Congress, but doubtless arrangements have been made to secure a copy of the papers read aid the conclusions arrived at in order that Australian road engineers may learn how far heir systems of road construction are behind the demands of modern traffic conditions. Motor cars are blamed for the dust they undoubtedly raise; but the blame for the dust rests on the road engineers, who. in face of modern teachings, persist in building roads of dirt', to become mud in winter and provide dust in summer.

THE GRAND PRIX.

In connection with the great French motor road race—the Grand Prix — arrangements are already being made for next year’s contest. There is seemingly going to be considerable

controversy in regard to the bore of the engines, as English, German, Italian, and Belgian motorists favour a reduction in the size, while the French are insisting on 140 mm., as against 102 mm. in the Tourist Trophy Race. Germany favours one of 120 mm. (about 4 4-sin.), but that desired by the French approximates 5% in., which, with a reduced minimum weight, will make for greater speed, which has already exceeded 74 miles per hour. A more powerful engine and a lighter frame to hold it! How will it end? There can be no useful development along these lines, for a speed greater than that which is safe, if it were required, has already been attained. It may be held that a distant advantage is to be gained by weight-reduction in the matter of tyres. In any case they will be forced very near to the limits of resistance, but would probably exceed them should, there be a combination of indifferent road surface and hot weather. If detachable wheels, in addition to detachable rims, are allowed next year—and there is great probability that the French Motor Club will permit of their adoption—tyre troubles will be fewer, and perhaps the more readily overcome should they occur.