MOTORING NOTES
BRITISH MOTOR INDUSTRY.
ITS RECENT · ADVANCE.
The recently issued Report of the Ballour Committee on Industry and Trade contains the following significant quotation: "The vitality of modern industry, like that of an organism, is measured by its to external power of response stimulus and of self-adaptation to modern environment."
(CONTD)
THE "HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th, 1928.
SPEED OF HEAVY MOTOR- GREAT - ROAD RACE!
CARS..
THE PACIFIC COAST. | 20 M.P.H. NOW PERMITTED
MIGHTY, DEVELOPMENTS.
TRADE AND RACE PROBLEMS.
IN BRITAIN.
VIEWS ON NEW ORDER.
VICTOR.
BRITISH DRIVERS SIX HOURS BATTLE.
CAPTAIN CAMPBELL'S CAR 'BURNT OUT.
→
400,000 Crowd.
Campbell, who had jumped out,, other rear as the very gallant dashed through the smoke curtain loser followed almost on his tail. with a fire extinguisher,, was 'over
Mr. Kaye Don has put up a host come by fumes, and had his face of world's records at Brooklands singed.
during the past six months and is Officiala dragged him away, but considered a worthy successor to in a few seconds he recovered and the late Mr. Parry Thomas. Thou- dived again into the smoke. He sands of girla waited outside his was desperate and heartbroken. To botel in Belfast last night to catch protect him the officials again a glimpse of him, dragged him away.
Mr. Cushman until recently was on the staff of the Crossley Motor Company, of Manchester.
Only 12 drivers. of 45 survived the race. They were, in addition to the first three:
Av. speed miles an hr.
It was a magnificent race. crowd estimated at from 400,000 to 500,000 watched a signal triumph for British motoring. Mr. Kaye Don beat representative cars from the United States, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and Austria,
It was also a triumph for the economical British family car. Two new principles of motor-car design emerged successfully, The "I must save my engine," he BELFAST, August 19th. first two cars were equipped with cried repeatedly as he strove to get By 13 seconds Mr. Kaye Don, superchargers and the Alvis also free from the grasp of eight men. driving a Lea-Francis car, won for incorporated the front-wheel drive The big German Mercédés crash Britain yesterday the great inter- There has never been an evented into a ditch at Quarry Corner, national road race over a 410-miles so full of swiftly changing drama. Major C. M. Harvey, in a British course near Belfast, gaining, the First there was the massed start at Alvis, was wrecked in a three-car Daily Mail prize of £1,000 and the 11 am. The cars were covered in collision near Comber, due to a Tourist Trophy presented by the mascots. Capt. Malcolm Camp wet patch of road.
bell, Viscount Curzon, and the Royal Automobile Club. The president, Mr. E. S. Shrap- Mr. Leon Cushman, who was other favourites signed hundreds nell-Smith, stated that it was the second after a duel which will live of autograph books for girl ad- maximum extent to which the long in motoring history piloted a mirers. Ministry could, by regulations, British Alvis and won the Daily make an increase, in the absence fail prize of £300. Mr. H. Mason of new legislation. He pointed driving an Austrian Austro out that the Rolls-Royce, Daimler, Daimler was third and won the and other heavy touring care Daily Mail prize of £900. All the
The Commercial Motor Users' Association is not completely satir fied with the new order of the Ministry of Transport whereby the maximum speed of heavy, motor cars fitted with pneumatic tyres has been increased from 12 to 20 miles per hour, says the London Times"
་
The times and average speeds were:
Miles Fr. Min. Sec. an hr. 13 64.06. 59 59 26 64.02 望 38 61.65
Mr. T. Thistlethwayte, the hand some driver of the big German Merefdes, received a silk stocking which be tied to the radiator cap. Facing their machines stood or in their white overalls and gaily coloured crash helmets. A marshal lowered a large fag.
Pursuer's Crash, Meanwhile the fair-haired, boyish-looking Mr. Kaye Don was rapidly coming to the front. Mr. Urquhart Dykes, in another Alvîs, was signalled from the pit to chase him. In doing so he crashed badly on Glen. Hill, and his collar-bone was broken. Mr. Leon Cushman,
take up the chase.
By some 15 drivers had crashed and three "cars had burst Viscount Curion had into fames, retired owing to a leak in his petrol tank. were eclipsed by the ding-dong fight which now started.
WILLIAMSTOWN, MAS.. The Pacific is becoming the world's front door, Robert McKen- zie, a professor at the University of Washington, told his round table on Population Problems of the Pacific Rim at its opening in the Despite the criticisms that have Institute of Polities. The Ameri beer levelled against the British
cun at Seattle, the Oriental and Motor Manufacturing ladustry in
the Australian are alike looking the conduct, particularly of its
out across the Pacific rather than shared with saloon motor omni- competing cars were of standard crouched the drivers and mechanics in ĩa Alvis, was then signalled to Overseas business, impartial con- sideration of the past achievements landward in their own countries, buses and motor-coaches the benefit design.
Climate, commerce of the new regulations, but be ot those engaged in that Industry he explained.
doubted whether public require must result in the conclusion that and geographical factors are push-ments would be met even by in. these essentials for a virile indusing the rapid development. sey have been thoroughly appreciat Fortunately, the products of the creasing the speed limit to 20
miles per hour. ed and put into operation by Home Fast and West ate supplementary, Manufacturers. Indeed, the, Com-
and not competitive, Dr. McKenzie mittee responsible for the diagnosis said; this tends to stnooth relations pays tribute in its Report to the between the areas. progress made by the British Motor Industry and instances it as one of the few which have forged ahead in the postwar peried.
he position of that Industry at the conclusion of the war has so been stressed that one hesitates to refer again to that factor, but undoubtedly the leeway mande is all the more remarkable when it is recalled that at that period the British Motor Manufac turer, in his effort to regain en- trance to markets at home as well
"aften
n. abroad, had virtually to com- mence de novo. He had, in many cases, to re-equip with plant, and found himself obliged to adapt himself to new conditione against "competitors already firmly en
trenched in catering therefor. It is true that so far as the private ear side of the Trade was CODCETR- ed he received some assistance in regaining the Home Market through the existence, of an Import Duty, but progress was hampered by industrial upheaval, and it was not until 1990 that a forward drive was really possible.
V
Although numerous saloon omni- buses and coaches weighed little more than some of the heavy tour- Japanese merchants do not wishing cars, the draft Rond Traffic the exclusion controversy revived Bill provided for differentiation because of the immensity of their between the two types. This draft for they bave found; the speaker, fore Parliament during the life of sik trade with the United States, Bill, however, might not come be said, that the movement of pro- the present Government, owing to duce is more important than the the appointment of a Royal Com- movement of peoples." To-day, be mission on inland transport. added, it is easier to communicate between Shanghai and Chicago than between Shanghai in its Euro- peanized section quarter.
and its native
:
Heavy Touring Oars. Whereas it had been proposed that heavy touring cars should, under new legislation, be exempt from any speed limit, it was pro- posed that heavy motor omnibuses and coaches carrying nine or more passengers should be legally tied to 90 miles per hour. The National Council of the Association was strongly opposed to this suggestion The Gasociation would, in due course, press for 30 miles per hour as the speed limit for motor omnibuses and coaches currying up to passengers. The council felt that as long as these vehicles were
and properly braked
carefully inalatained, there was no need for the speed limit to be placed as low as 20 miles per hour.
The extraordinary changes which modern scientific advances are smak ing in the countries rimming the Pacific are due as much to better methods of communication as to any other factors, Dr. McKenzie said. At present, the most widely separated cultures are meeting. Countries that derive their energy from human beings, others that still use animals, and the more advanced lands utilizing machinery, are in quick intercourse for the first time. Population Movements Increase.
There are population movements. of European settlers forming cities
Referring to the clause in the The conditions applying to the strung out like beads, along the
new regulations making it compul. Industrial Vehicle side of the In-coast of China. On the other hand, sory for heavy vehicles to be fitted dustry were critical, for not only Oriental settlement is ready to run with a mirror in order to enable were the manufacturers of these over into the vast and sparsely in-
the driver to see overtaking traffic, types, of vehicles faced with the habited areas still left. The two
Mr. Shrapnell Smith said it seern. same difficulties as the manufae points of greatest change are Man-ed hardly credible that this elanse. turer of private cars, but they had, churia and Java. In the former
should only apply to heavy inctor in addition, to meet unhampered for the first time; Dr. McKenzie
universal.. competition from abroad coupled said, an Oriental race is dominants. It should have been made The council had, for with internal competition at home In Java, the expanding rubber in
many years supported the sugges by reason of the liquidation of War dustry is causing intensive activity tion of fitting mirrors in motor Disposal Vehicles..
and tremendous population move-
omnibuses and coaches, and 90 per cent of the association's members Looking at the rapid changes had already fitted these mirrors in from the larger view, Dr. McKenzie thefe vehicles. He pointed out point out that every scientific ad-hat many private cars with cover- vance tends to make population ed bodies and, of a design, which more fluid, that no culture can now narrows down towards the bonnet call itself permanent, and that, for should also be brought under this example, the Japanese are becom-regulation. ing Americanized to degree: China is becoming Americanized and so is Europe, if one thinks of Americanization" as technical development.
With a fresh start thus necessar:: for both branches of the Industry. and a start requiring to be made under any but propitious circum- stances, it could hardly be suppos ed that the British Industry would make a repid-and-sensational re- covery, but the progress that has been made has been all the more ereditable by reason of the difficul- ties that have had to be overcome in the achievement.
uents.
Д
price of rubber in London has the effect of sending vast numbers of
Legalising Existing Practice.
An official of the Automobile As- sociation said that the increase in the statutory speeds of heavier types of motor vehicles was natural result of the development of that side of motoring, and part
*
of
The basis of car taxation at home has necessarily resulted in ik Such an economic factor as the limisation in design, manufacturera concentrating on producing a small high-speed engine which, while italien races into Malaya. Topogray due to the developinent of the phically, the Pacific rim," Dr. pneumatic tyre. One might say," McKenzie pointed out, lends itself he said, that the raising of these
certain classes to commercial intercourse. It is in speeds for a horse-shoe shape.. The water shed vehicles is really the legalizing of an existing practice. The fixed on either side leads back to moun limits of speed are frequently tains, or arid country, forcing the sea coast people to look across the being exceeded, and there is no doubt that the Ministry of Trans- The sen rather than landward. Asiatic side is warmer in climate port have made up their minds as and produces goods which supple to the extent to which these higher
speeds can be permitted. meht products of the West.
ferential treatment is of course being given to vehicles shod with Pneumatic tyres, and among the considerations which have in- fuenced the authorities are road wear and vibration.
has proved to be suitable for the requirements of the Home and Oversca, Markets was in the latter connection a different proposition to that to which the Overseas user had became accustomed.. By ̈rea- son of the fact that manufacturers were thus precluded from embarking on designing a type which would 1t the same time and favour at Home and Overseas the criticism has often been made that 'British The airplane and radio have had manufacturers were indifferent
a part in the change, Dr, HeKenzie to the requirements of their, said, and in the archipelagon of the potential customers in the wider far off southern Pacific are perhaps market, although it is becom- about to cause more revolutionary ing more and more recognised that alterations than elsewhere. the British built car enn be relied islands were heretofore cut off from upon to give the utmost eatisfac- the mainland, with no harbours and tion, coupled with the maximum no cable. In a minute the radio ecenemy, under even the most has given them instantaneous com exacting conditions, "
munication, and now the airplane seems ready to connect them com mercially into one geographical mass. He concluded by pointing out the vast areas still unoccupied about the rim from Alaska, Siberia, Borneo, New Guinea, Aus tralia and the South American coast-Christian Science Monitor.
In spite of unusually severe com- petition, British vehicles are being exported in increasing numbers. indicating that the robustness of such vehicles, coupled with their essential reficement, is securing more and more appreciation Over seas. At the same time a demand' has been created in an entirely new field, for the world is finding that the small utility car of from 7-101 h.p. provides efficient means of transportation at the minimum cost of operation.
Overseas Appreciation.
These
Pre-
By means of friendly negotia- tion for years past with heavy motor vehicle owners we have been able to secure the fitting of mir- rors to heavy motor vehicles. The association welcomes this new re- gulation, which makes it compul- sory that these should be fitted in cases where there is no conductor or attendant in the vehicle to notify the driver of the approach of traffic from the rear...
and
"As far as private cars cycles are concerned, we hope the day is not far distant when the speed limit will be completely re- moved. As a means of securing the safety of the public it has al
100,000 CARS.
In the first issue of The Oversensways been a failure, while it cer- Bulletin it was remarked that it tainly provides abundant oppor In the comparatively short time was felt that the regular distribu- tunities for the persecution of under review, the British. Motortion of authentic news relating to motorists." Industry has increased production the developments taking place in from 88,000 vehicles in 1993 to the British Motor Industry would 209,000 in 1921 the former balance be welcomed and would serve a use of Imports over Exports has been ful purpose. That this has proved arrested and reversed; while the to be so has been clearly demon- progress in the number of vehicles strated by the numerous expressions exported has been steadily main of appreciation which have been tained,
extended to the- Bulletin and the opinions that have been expressed In the first issue of The Over- as to its utility.
sea Bulletin, reference was made to the comparative life of automo- biles in different important coun.
ONLY 4,409 RUNNING AFTER 12-YEARS-SERVICE.
tries.
There yet remaia, naturally, many urgent problems requiring to be dealt with before the Industry- There is little doubt that it will particularly in regard to the export prove an invaluable and regular position can be considered to be connecting link between the manu- firmly established, but recent de facturer at home and his customers velopments bave resulted in and potential customers Overseas, keener appreciation in the various while the Publicity Department, of markets of the Empire of the diffi- the British Manufacturers' Bection culties still confronting British will at all times be available to manufacturers, at the same time assist in every possible way in pre- showing a keen desire from Overseas viding information and in other The figures, na published by a to assist in every practical way in directions calculated to increase the university in the country in ques the rehabilitation of the Industry interest in and to secure the more tion are the result of a record kept ia the motor markets of the world. extended use of British made motorby a professor on the business side
(Continued un nezi Column). (Continued on nezt Column).
vehicles.
Some interesting figures have recently come to light regarding the period of service of a selected number of cars manufactured by one of Great Britain's important. competitore.
Kaye Don& Leon Cushman 5 H. Mason
B
On handicap the Austro-Daimler had to cover one more lap than the Lea-Francis and the Alvis.
The drivers and mechanics made & wild dash for their machines. They hoisted the hoods and start
ed their engines. They were off and there was a wild scramble for position.
There was a wait for the first round. In the distance there was The prizes were presented ima faint hum, rapidly growing Duke of Abercorn, Governor of by Mr. H. R. S. Birkin's Bentley mediately after the event by the louder. A green projectile flashed It was followed by a flash of blue, Northern Ireland.
and there was a mighty cheer for Viscount Curzon, whose darling driving bad won the heart of the multitude.
(Continued on nezt Columd). whe selected 100,000 cars of vari- ous makes and kept track of them, over a period of 128 years.
At the end of a year and a half
Mr.
But these incidents
For three-quarters of an hour Cushman pursued steadily. With about 20 minutes to go he
signal to speed up and did so, but skidded badly at Dundonald and was 10 seconds behind. He got a
lost 18 vital Beconds.
At Newtownards the two dashed
At the seconds between them. through the town with only 21
Moate Mr. Cushman was only 18 seconds behind and caught sight of the his quarry
round the Comber Here he was 14 seconds be- hind.
Capt. Campbell Out, Close on this heels game favourite, Capt. Malcolm Camp-corner. befl.
97,700 were stili on the road, which £gure. had dropped to just over
During the third lap there was He had gained another second st 00.000 a year later." Only some
a sudden cry of "Fire" Dense Ballystockart, but the race WAS 68,097 were running after 5 years
a pit. It was virtually over. The crowd rose as and at the end of the period of smoke rose from observation of the original 100,000 Capt. Campbell's car. the petrol Mr. Kaye Don flashed by, and tank, of which had burst. Capt. there was a roar of cheers and an- only 4,409 were in commission..
Cyril Paul, Austro-Daim-
ler (Austrian) "H. R. S. Birkin, Bentley
(British)
G. E. T. Eyston, Lea
Francis (British) H. W. Cock, Bentley
. (British)
JAY
64.91
63.76
61.14
64.77
R. F. Onta, O. M. (Italian) 59.83 Dutilleux, Bugatti (French)
L. G. Callingham, Austro-
Daimler (Austrian)
K. 8.
(British)
Peacock, Riley
61.73
....... 56.98 R. Watney, Stutz (U.S.) $9.39 The Governor af Northern
Ireland, the Duke of Abercorn, in
message of congratulation to the Daily Mail said:"
We are proud that the winning car is of British manufacture and I trust that the race will stimulate the motor industry. Capt. Phillips, of the Royal
Automobile Club, who was mainly
responsible for the successful or- ganisation, said:
Great Britain's win cannot fail to have a beneficial effect on the British motorcar industry. The generous money prizes offer- ed by the Daily Mail helped to draw # representative entry, which was tested in a way not normally possible.
The Daily Mail is to be con- gratulated on its co-operation in this wonderfully successful event. -Daily Mail,
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