Page
FEAT AFTER ESCAPE
FROM DISASTER
Women Drivers In Car Thrills
A new lap record was set up at Brooklands yesterday by OB- ver Briram in Capt. Woolf Bar- nates big Barnato-Hassan Spe-. cial, "
He wound up a ne afternoon's "racing by eating John Cobb's re- cord for the track, a performance which was all the finer for the fuct that in the first race h which he took part he had the narrowest of escapes from die-
aster.
It was indeed a day of escapes for two other drivers were wahin. inches of diving over the highes part of the banking.
Bertram, in a two-lap handicap. was giving long starts to DIR feld and was overhauling them a top speed, when just before the members' bridge on the home, banking a piece of tread a yard long flew of an offside tyre. The great car, traveling at 140 m.p.h.
car hung on the brink. A woman scrented. The the car swung bark and slipped down the bank ing safely to the fence.
In the race for the Stam Cha- lenge Trophy presented by Prince Chula of Siam, A. R. Samuel,dri.- ing a very lust M.G., seemed to one he skidded at the harpin and hit a barrel. This let Driscoli 'on, the Austin past, but was not thu end of Samuel's adventures.
Apparently he damaged his brakes in this manoeuvre, for ap- preaching the turn at the end of the finishing approaching the turn at the end of the finishing straight at high speed he found himself unable to stop. The M.G. charged the banking at its strep- -est point and. got within inches of the unguarded top before it dropped back.
At the close of the meeting the stewards called Mr. A. R. Sam-
swerved ominously, but Buriram,uel before them, and was later
nis foot firmly down, master:
it and thundered on with undi minished speed "to the Anish
He was thned, on that lap to have beaten Cobb's record. As there is now a rule that records cannot be raken during a race the stewards arranged that Ber- tram should have a shot for the record after the last race. This he did, and on two successive saps of 22 miles elocked 142.1 and 1427 miles per hour
The latter now stands as une new record in place of CooDa
It
gures of 140.93 m.p.li. Cobb Loid. me that as soon as the Napler-Railton 1% unpack d after its return from Utu he will see the record "cannet be raised a little higher sud.
THE OTHER THRILLS was the "mountain" racey that provided the other thrills, In the second of these, which was a ne struggle between Eccles and Rayson's Bugattis, "Bira's " ER.A. and Pat Driscoll's ittle whit Austin, Rayson had the closest call of his high speed he
hot straight up the banking.
His off-side wheel went on t the grass verge, where it forms the narrowest of margins.btween an almost, perpendicular wren: ched the ear round and the back wheel went on to the gress. There was a sickening pause while the
い
HOW TO TRAVEL COMFORTABLY
Hints For Holiday ~
Makers
Despite, or, perhaps, more pro- bably, because of the thirty-mile limit, motor-touring seems likely to be more popular than ever this Bummer, if the numerous "letters received from Observer readera. count for anything. Ever since the end of May inquiries of every sort have reached them week after week, chiefly on the question of where to go, but also about how to do la comfortably and cheaply. Motorists from every part of the country, whether they
own, old cars or the latest models, which anxious" to put to the they are supreme test of long-distance Touring, are apparently counting the days to when they can pile on the luggage and, carefully leaving no address, make good their es- cape on to the open road.
To those who have asked me where they should go in Great Britain the reply
ail. is that ways are good ways; everywhere is worth going to. Those who Ülke to make plans and stick to them, those who are of the perhaps hap-" pler sort who distrust your pre- arranged holiday, those who come half-way between and find them- selves breaking away from their studied itineraries after the first few days and, obeying the im- pulse of the moment. to return later to the time-table, all will agreeable discover, in the most circumstances, that, with scarcely an exception, it does not matter where you go in England, Wales, and Scotland. Every road leads you to a pleasant place.
30s. A DAY..
It s not easy to be any more precise in the question of cost. though touring by car is no dearer a home than abroad, at existing rates of exchange. Those who like their comfort but shun huxury,
announced that they had reprl- manded him in view of his driv Ing in the mountain race. The stewards also decided that his driving should be reported to the committee and that it should be entered In the stewards'. book. It is understood that two of the offelal observers stationed on the course reported Mr. Samuel for non-compliance with the regula
Lion's.
The stewards also reprimanded Mr. "Tim Davies" as the result of his driving in a mountain race.
THE WOMEN'S MATCH Meanwhil!, Mrs. Petre, and Mrs... Stewart had had their "match" In view of the tremendous speed of the cars the stewards decided that it would be too dangerous for them to race" side by side, and that each should run four laps, the fastest to decide the winner.
Mrs. Petre had first try. Her best lap was 134.25 m.p.h., not quite as good as the new record she set up on Saturday.
Mrs. Stewart then set out to beat her opponent, but after com- pleting two laps she slowed down. "The exhaust on her car had come adrift, and with the gases pour- ing into the cockpit she had either to give up or be polsoned. On her last lap she average 33.47 m.p.h in imin 14.52sec.
POT POURRI
What's What In Motordom
It is announced that Kevill- Davies and March, Ltd., 29, Bec- keley Street, W.1, have been ap pointed sole London distributors of the new 44-litre Lagonda..
The offices of Nobel Chemical Finishes. Lid., have been trans-. ferred from Siough to Nobel House, Buckingham Gate, Lon- don, SW.1. To meet increasing demand, the company's produs- tive capacity is being largely, de- veloped. Extra plant is being in- stalled at existing factories, and a nevy
factory Iste has been bought at Stowmarket.
L1
Mr. Godfrey W. Volkwyn, who is very well known throughout the motor trade in South Africa, and who is the representative out there of several leading motor accessory manufacturers, will be at the Olympia Motor Show on
e Lodge stand. No. 372, or may be reached care of the Standard Bank of South Africa, 10, Cle- ment's Lane, London, EC.4.
A special display of Austin, Hi- man, Humber and Standard 1936 models is on view at Dome Gar- ages. · Ltd., "Great West Road. Brentford, and the By-pass Road, Watford. In addition, there is a selection of 1935 new and demon- stration models, together with a number of guaranteed used cars, In connection with the garages there is an attractive cafe-restau- rant.
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, NOVEMBËR 5, 1935..
MOTOR
JOTTINGS
FROM THE HOME
COUNTRY
London To Timbuctoo In Seven Days
So
Recently the makers of Morris ears publicly "confirmed the rumours that have been in cir- culation for some while past that two new models or a new mode! with two engine sizes would be"
on the market. put
Even only a few details were allowed to issue; nothing much, in fact. beyond the fact that new models of the Ten and Twelve would be announced. This is the first time. that mid-season new models of a popular type have ever been an- nounced by Lord Nuffield.'
Every detail of these new Morris cars recently during a visit to the Cowley factory, and I must admit to being almost taken aback at the "advanced", char- acter of their design and appear- ancel
That Integral and hydraulic four-wheel jacking is standard, and that these cars are so, diffe- rent in appearance from Morris cars hitherto that it wil; be some time before they are recognised. by motorists meeting them on the road.
Moreover, the team work. the co-operation of the Morris chassis designers and body designers has resulted in highly attractive lines --almost an ultra-modern appear- auce-being secured without_cer.- Lain drawbacks usually associated with features they exemplify. features that in themselves distinctly commendable so long-as they are not accompanied by the drawbacks in question.
3000 Miles Drive
1:
ara
While writhe the above about the new Morris cars, news rached us that the journey from London to Timbuctoo, nearly 3000 miles, has just been accomplished in seven days by H. E. Svmons, the well-known competition driver, on one of the first of the new Tens to be made. He was accompanied by Mr.. V. L. Seyd. and claims to have set up a record for the four- ney, whether by land or a by air. Almost two-thirds of the route lay through desert regions, for Timbuctoo, almost a legendary clly to the British mind and the very, symbol of remoteness and distance. lles actually at the ex- treme south or the French Sahara
As special equipment the rår carried oversize tyres, a ten-gal- lon spare petrol tank. a water tark of the same capacity, a con- denser for water circulation wire- less set. two spardes a compass in the roof, and a wireand-bam- boo "ladder" "as a temporary "“road" for driving out of gulleys and through soft sand, sand. The loaded weight was 33jcwt.
Very trying weather condilogy were encountered, ranging "from tropical heat to torrential rain and sandstorms. For hundreds of miles the route could only be followed by compass and to miss the way and the rare replenish- ment depots would have been fatal. At one of the latter there was only a quart or petrol left in the tanks,
Despite all this, and the neces sity for frequent detcurs to avoid quicksands and impassable rock outcrops, Timbuctoo was reached in 97 hours' running time al- though hundreds of miles of soft sand
were negotiated in second gear. Mr. Symons intends to make the return trip after a short stay in Timbuctoo, though clima- tie conditions are expected to be even more severe than on cutward journey.
the
Where De-control is Pending · Following upon an interview of representatives of the R.A.C. and the AA. with a high official of the Roads Department of the Minis- try of the Ministry of Transport, B letter has been addressed by the R.AC. to the Minister and to the Home Secretary urging that.' pending the completion of the necessary legal formalies, the 30 mp.h. speed limit should not be enforced on the many stretches of road that are to be restricted, according to announcements al- ready made. Also, it is urged that a similar, policy. should be adopted
when future
and where it is decided to de-restrict
who are satisfied with the fare and lodging they will find in the coun- try hotel as opposed to the palace type, should be able to make both ends mect very comfortably on thirty shillings a day a head-and if the party numbers more than three that sum ought to go most roads previously rearicted. The of the way towards paying for the day's petrol and oil as well, at all events, for a modest car,
In
suggestion is that in all such cases, 13 500m as it is decided that a particular stretch of road
is one that should be de-restrict- ed, the police should be instruct- ed not to enforce the limit there.
In one paragraph of the letter to the Minister of Transport, and that the RA.C. “views with con- cern. the present situation as dis- closed both by numerous letters from its members and reports from its road guides. These are to the effect that the police al- most universally 'throughout the country enforce the speed limit on road stretches of roads which are not within' built-up areas in the, common sense of ordinary of meaning of the term. These roads in many cases are wide and open. with no side turnings, and the houses, if any, abutting them are far apart, and consequently a speed in excess of 30 m.p.h. is consistent with safety."
Cars and Elections
It has often been urged that the motoring vote should be used at election times to enforce re- spect for motoring opinion. Cer- tainty It is a matter of regret that road interests in general have so little political influence The railways can always exert a greater presure, but ever railway users and rallway shareholders do ...not vote as such.
Far less la a motorist likely to vote as such, and in any case his
be prospects would not much brighter with one party than an- other Thus the motoring vote can be dismissed, as having no more influence than the cycling. vote, But, as the rallways prove.. Influence in Parliament is not al-" together a matter of votes. The trouble is that road interests have never impressed their importance upon Parliament or the public.
The being so, some use should be made of the opportunity pre- sented by the next General Elec- tion according to many motorists. The sensible section know that motor vehicle owners will not be detached from their party because the Road Fund has been raided or 7d per gallon added to the Diesel oil tax.
But useful pressure might be applied by motorists regardless of their political amilations If they announced that candidates at the next election" would not receive the assistance of cars unless they gave proof of sympathy with the reasonable demands of organised motorists. Many consider that the motoring organisations should endeavour to co-ordinate
action
on these lines. which could be taken independent of party and as a practical method of in- fluencing Parliament,
4
Tyre Failures
Tyre advertising n American journals always puzzles me some- what because so many feature the terrible results of what they call a "blow-out," and how a burst cover is made impossible by ther particular construction
In this country burst tyres are not common, and accidents from them are comparatively rare. Yet In the USA, it seems that
36,000 large proportion of the deaths and 954,000 in juries of
ast year
wee caused caused by tyre fallüres. In those cities and States where vehicles are periodi- cally examined for condition over half of them had tyres classed as poor, dangerous, or at the beat no better than fair.
stated. caused Skidding, it is 21.330 accidents, 530 of which in- voled fatalities. and according to the president of a well-known American tyre company one of every three cars in the US.A. is running on tyres which should be: replaced.
We know here that the Ameri Caps can and do make good tyrės, so that all this talk of blow- outs must indicate different con- ditions of use to this country, Covers are probably run unt they fall, whereas here a tyre is generally discarded before the danger point is reached.
Also we do not drive habitually al high speeds, and we have some consideration for our own safety, our care, and tyres on corners,
High speeds and fast cornering on loose surfaces can work havoc on tyres and tubes. Although some of our critics may not be lieve it, we are the sanest manta- rists in the world.
ACCELERATION
Alvis Crested Eagle
Car Praised
From standing" start 20 m.p.h. is reached a 5.1sec.. 30 mm.p.h. in 8.1sec. 40 mp.h. in 12.4sec., and 50 m.p.h. in 15. sec.
2.9
From a steady 10 m.p.h. on the various gears acceleration is follows:- Speed
Gears.
m.p.h.
Top.
Third. Second
10-20 10-30 10-40 10-50
6.6 sec. V sec. 3.4 sec. 12.2 sec. 9.1 sec. 7.2 sec. 17.6 sec. 14.8 sec... 21.0 sec,
The all-synchromesh gear-box now Atted is delightful in use The short, stiff central lever comes nicely to hand. and the movement requires no appreciable effort. The feature, of this gear- box is that noiseless changes can be made by moving the lever quickly. There is no waiting, and the "change elther way can be made as quickly as the lever can be moved.
It is a most pleasant car to drive, and Its lines are most at tractive. For quiet and smooth travel in town, and for fast travel on the open road, the new Alvis Crested Eagle certainly meets the
case.
THE NEW MORRIS
Morris Motors, Ltd., announced the introduction, "on July 1, of four new cars, the 16-h.p., 18-h.p. 21-h.p.. and 25-h.p., all of six- cylinders. fitted with fixed-and silding head salcons and coupes. The prices range from £250 to £350
Special care has been taken in the design of the bodies to ensure clear vision tor the driver and his passengers, and to provide a low centre of gravity without reduc- tion of headroom.
All occupants are seated within the wheelbase, the built-in hydraulic Jacks are operated from inside the car, and the pneuma tic cushions of the front seats are separately adjustable.
The cars are of unusually generous dimen- sions.
Bumper Height
Not for the first time the reed for a standard height of bumper has been raised. The bumper WAR HIL Innovation not received very enthusiastically at first, but under modern conditions it is useful fitting which often saves wings and radiators etc... from Canley:.
Unfortunately" they do not al- ways provide mutua protection, because they are rot all of the same height. Clearly, to be really effective bumpers must all be the same height from the ground. It may be said that this is not prac. ticable and that the bumper bar
of a bigger car can hardly be on the game level as that of a smaller, Actually there is no rea- son why all bumbers should not be fitted at the same height, for I measurements are taken in any garage or parking place it will be found that some well-known small cars have higher bumpers than some equally familar larger
cars,
This is sufficient proof that height standard is quite practie- able, and the manufacturers should endeavour to reach agree- ment in the matter. At present Cross pleces are sometimes fitted to prevent bumpers sliding over
under each other. but that" seema a chumay expedient when the obvious course is to standar- dise bumper height and perhaps the width of the bumper bar.
or
Scottish Trade Rally Some years ago the Scottish motor trade organised a notable two-day meeting at Taymouth, when trade politics and enter. tainment were very successfully blended. On the last week-end of this month the Scottish Moto, Trade Association are holding-a similar rally at Gleneagles.
It is termed a rally, but that does not imply a motoring com- petition, but a social and family occasion, during which a general meeting of members will be held to discuss trade matters and trade control in Scotland
Members and their friends will gather at Geneagles Hotel for dinner on Friday, May 24, and the proceedings will conclude with afternoon tea on Sunday, May 25 An excellent programme of sportas and entertainments has been arranged, and special" fnclusive terms are obtainable.
THE TAIKOO DOCKYARD & ENGINEERING COMPANY OF HONGKONG, LIMITED.
BUILDERS OF ALL CLASSES OF SHIPS. BUILDERS OF RECIPROCATING STEAM ENGINES. BUILDERS OF MARINE AND ILAND BOILERS,Į BUILDERS OF TURBINE MACHINERY
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Under Special License
From Messrs. Sulzer Bros., Winterthur. LicensedTo Manufacture Lanz Perlit Iron, Specially Suitable For Internal Combustion Engine Working Parts.
DOCK &
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TEL ADDRESS: "TAIKOODOCK," HONG KONo. TELEPHONE: 30211.
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