BRITISH MOTOR NOTES.
Specially Written by the R .C. Correspondent.
Some of the local motor clubs be suddenly and fiercely applied. in Great Britain are not pleased the chassis and transmission: with the decision of the Royal are subjected to violent shookr, Automobile Club to apply ita and the efficiency of the suspen closed and open competition rulee sion is tested. to all approved mestings. This
Another great reputation based decision is, however, unquestion largely on races and trials is tha ably correct and necessary of the Napier and this applies horne out by the fact that the equally to the cars and to the aer Society of Motor Manufacturers engines of that name. That the and Treaders has given it its Nipier "Lion" is now the bes wholehearted endorsement. The
known aero engine in the world Society will only approve in is due to its notable succesces in dividual performances carried out under the observation of the Club big organised events.
Equally, if we turn to the motor and a joint Committee of the two has been set up to consider cycle, we can see that the reputa matters arising in connection tion of, say, the A.J.9, is largely unofficial based on the consistent success. with official and triale. The Society gues so of this machine in the Tourist for as to regard the direct Trophy and other races, while "or indirect support by manu- the fact that British J.A.P. eng facturers of any meeting not held inos afo now being fitted to under Club regulations as a breach number of well-known motor of the Society's Bond. Manu facturers are not permitted to advertise the results of such com- petitions, to contribute to prizs fuada, or to participate in any
WAY.
cycles of foreign make can be attributed to the outstanding sud- Cees of that engine on British machines on the track and on the
road,
1.1.
12
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH MOTORING SUPPLEMENT.
A group near the starting point.
MOTOR MISHAPS.
Views of a Motorist.
one's leg broken by another player and, as far as I know, the game is not stopped because of accidents-whereas in this sport it is entirely up to one's self. Obviously, if a man is not accustomed to speed, he should not attempt it.
error of judg-
[BY THROTTLE.' ]
In my opinion, the cause of the Having ridden in many Hill firet accident was a sense of light- Climbs and Acceleration Tests, I headedness resulting in a mo- should like to congratulate the mentary loss of control. I have Committee and its helpers on the spoken to men before who have To take a single recent exam-way the first trials over held in told me that they have ex- The whole of this action by the ple of the influence of speed Hongkong were run last Satur perienced this sort of thing. The Club and Society is due to deter. testa on demand, mention may day. The organisation was not cause of the second mishap was, mication to keep the organisation be made of a race held at Tokyo perfect, perhaps, but bearing in undoubtedly, an of motor, competitions and races before a large crowd. Over 100 mind the fact that the Meating ment on the part of the com- absolutely clean and satisfactory, competitors took part and the was the first venture of its kind petitor. In his anxiety to make Permits have been issued from four machines left to participate locally and that until the firet the fastest time, it seems possible the Club for a large number of im- in the final were three big foreign unfortunate accident everything that he forget the axiom "Oaly moter cycles of 16 to 22 b.p. and went swimmingly, I think the travel as fast as your ability
reflect. great as portant meetir gs during the pre-
■ rider will allow you; sent season. Those include among a little single cylinder 3 h.p. whole contests
not as fast as your machine
The other open events the Blackpool Motor Triumph. The last named proved credit on the organisers.
The riding and driving throug. will carry you.” Rices on June 16th, the Saliburn to be the winner and one can speed trials on the same date, hardis imagine a more effective hout was of an extraordinarily competitors remembered that, and the Porthcawl Speed Trials advertisement of this particular high standard when one con- June 9th to 30th. Among closed machine and of British industry siders events undor R. A. C. regulations generally in Japan. will be the London to Manchester Without quoting further ex Reliability Trial on June 9th, the amplos, the general principle is the Southampton to Exeter Re- clear. Manufacturers and their Trial on September 8th and the representatives must ovary where Brooklands 209 Miles Race on co-operate with the governing
At the alart, everything seemed October 13:h
Numerous other Automobile Clubs to ensure that favourable--a glorious day, too applications for permits are under reputations are pot dishonest hot perhaps for those who had ly inflated by reason of the not the forethought to bring inefficient or corrupt organisa-umbrellas or parasols: and the tion of races and trials, the re-avent wont with a swing, which suite of which must seriously "swing still swung" up to the that we should condemn or aban mislead the motoring and motor commencement of the Hill Climb don these types of trials because for heavy weight solo macioss of most unfortunate accidente. cycling public.
The hill, provided ordinary care Of course, it would be safer still and judgment were used, was to select a atraighter bill with a perfectly safe-lar more so, in steeper gradient and hate a fact, than many a game of polo standing start. That would rule In pole, one can out the personal element to a or football. easily get hit by someone else, great extent and be a greater tost motor whilst in football one can get of the actual machine.
consideration.
Individual Trials. Among recent individual trials completed under Club supervision, perhaps the most interesting has been that of a 10 23 h.p. Talbo
car.
Import Duties on Moturs, This is essentially a light car having an engine with a cubic One or two countries that have capacity of only 1,047 c.c. and a recently revised their system of total weight unladen of 1,777 lbs. taxation of imports have decided including the open 4-seated body. to follow the lead of those who The object was to demo:.st.ate the already ter imported fuel, oil and water consumption, vehicles on weight instead of by type wear and general reliability declared value. The Association over 5,000 miles of road. The of British Motor Manufacturers distance was covered over the bas for some time past strongly Club's standard routes, which are advocated the former basis and by no means easy, so there was its principles have been endorsed no question of the manufacturer by the manufacturers' organisa- selecting particularly favourable tions of many other countries. roads. The trial was run at ao Taxation by weight has many average speed of about 20 miles advantages. In particular, any. an hour. The fuel consumption thing in the nature of a falas worked out at the sxcellent figure declaration would almost cer- Further, of 43.39 miles per gallon and oil tainly be detected. consumption at 1,314 miles per the revenue derived is not affect gallon.
od by any change in the value of About three gallons of water the currency of other countries, ware put into the radiator during Also, when once the weight of a the trial to maintain the original certain type and make of chassis level. Cord tyree with rubber bas bean determined, the figure troads
fitted. Three remains constant until the type is of these travelled the whole changed, whereas the price may fluctuate frequently, throwing far only failed to do so, owing to more work on the Customs au- puncture. In addition to the thoritiee. Taxation by weight has -usual replenishments the only worked well in a number of coun- work done to the car was the tries that have used the system following. At 67 miles, the igni- for some time past and it would tion control rod became detached be advantageous if it could be un- and was replaced in five minutes; animously adopted as a basis of towards the end of the trial the taxation for motors imported into
all countries. Auxiliary jet of the carburettor got choked and was cleaned in seven minutes, while a little later half a minute was spent in ad- justing a foot brake.
and
were
the fourth
British Motor Cycle Exports. It is very satisfactory to learn that the export of British motör This trial certainly afford con cycles is aubetantially in clusive evidence of the ability of a crossing. In April 1921,⋅ 1,160 good light car to travel disitances machines were exported and on average roads with a full load this figure has not since then of four passengers at very low been approached until now, the cost to its owner and with practi.highest exportation of any sub cally perfect freedom from trouble sequent month in 1921 or any on the way.
month in 1922 being 864. 1m- Provement began to be noticeable
+
rear the number went up to 1,113 and it is hoped that this figure will presently be considerably ex- cooded.
Reputation Based on Results.
at the commencement of 1928. The anxiety of British mator In January 941 machines went manufacturers to ensure that all out and the rate was maintained Iaces and trials are conducted in February, In March of this with absolute impartiality can be readily understood when one remembers to what an extent these events have, been the means of building up great re-| Overseas motor oyclists should putatione. For example, the note that the International Show present position of the Sunbeam organised by the British Cycle car is largely due to its makers and Motor Cycle Manufacturers successful racing programme. Union will be open at Olympia The manufacturer learns from from the 15th to the 20th of Octo- Tracing and Bevere organised ber inclusive. Els Majesty the trials much which cannot be King has graciously consented to: taught in any other way. The give his patronage to the Show, racing car operates under extreme which is generally regarded as by conditions. The ongine has to far the most representativo ex- develop full power for hours at bibition of the kind held in any a time, brakes must on occasion { part of the world.
the that previous to commencement of practising for these events most of the riders no experience either of had acceleration or hill climbing com- petitions.
with the result that their climbs were no more dangerous than an ordinary joy ride. That the risk, procided the machine was properly handled, wasnil was proved, by the fact that some, competititors climbed at nearly 60 m.ph. and were perfectly safe the whole time, Over more difficult courses at Home, riders have averaged over 70 m.p.b, and some of these. riders have never been on a course before.
I cannot bring myself to think
The late Mr. H.J. Hooper passing Tein Wan Vilage.
A group of officials and, competitors.
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