60 Miles A Gallon On Economy Run

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 6

60 Miles A Gallon On Economy Run

(From Our Own Reporter)

TAURAJJGA, May 4. High mileage a gallon was recorded by G. W. Drayton and W. L. Timlin (Christchurch) in their Morris MiniMinor in the Mobilgas economy run today. This Christchurch crew, who won the baby car class last year, finished today’s 365mile' stage having averaged 60.77 miles to the gallon, improving considerably on yesterday's figure of 59.25 miles to the gallon. The effort caused a stir in Tauranga among the other 25 competitors this evening. In an English competition held recently, an expert crew driving a similar car won their class with 57 76 miles to the gallon. With only 155 miles to cover on the last stage to Auckland tomorrow, the Christchurch experts seem assured of a class win Nearest to them is a Fiat 500, driven by the Mount Maunganui couple, K. A Martin and Mrs Martin. Their average this evening worked out at 59.77 miles to the gallon. West Coast Crew

The West Coast crew. A N Boustridge and R. M Cook, with a Morris Oxford, improved on yesterday slightlv. registering 3933 miles to the gallon, but were well behind a Citroen driven by two men from Opoumata. It finished today's run having averaged 43 06 miles to the gallon.

The Ashburton representative. E. W Wilkinson, was still at the bottom of bis elass with 39.94 miles to the gallon in a Triumph Herald. The leaders here were the Hamilton Morris Minor crew. R. G. Rutherford and his wife, with 5196 miles to the gallon In the big car class, the West Coast crew of H. S Howart and D. Dawson could not improve their position in the seven-ear field. They were still at the bottom of the list with 29 22 miles to the gallon. whereas the leaders. M C Paterson and R Wilscn. of Dunedin, tn s Rover 100 were well ahead with 3’ 97 miles to the gallon Difficult Journey The cars set out from Wairangi at 8.30 a m today on a roundabout route which took them through Rotorua Whakatane. Te Puke, back to Rotorua, then through Tokoroa, Te Aroha. and Matamata It was a 365-mile journey, and not an easy one On the opre road, most of them found they had to keep un to the legal speed limit of 50 miles an hour, but they struck a number of hold-ups Between Whakatane and Te Puke, they encountered a house being shifted, which caused many to lose time Mobs of sheep and then heavily-laden logging trucks in the forest areas 'did not help. Tomorrow morning, the

first car sets off for Auckland about 6.30 a.m. and should reach the finishing point shortly before noon. Generally, on today s drive, most competitors improved cm their performances on the run from Hahmiton to Wairangi. Ln some cases, the issues will be m doutoi until the final results are declared tomorrow afternoon, but barring misadventure the Chnstcbruch representative.-. Draytcn and Timlin, seem assured ot a win in their class. Provision!! Progress Result' Class A. —Mini Minor ;G W. Drayton and A. W. Timlin. Christchurch), 60.77 miles a gallon. 1; Fiat 500 (K. A. Martin and Mrs M. J. Martin, Mount Maunganui). 59 77, 2; Austin 7 (R D. Reid and W. M. Morris. Taupo), 54.30. 3. Class B—Minor 1000 (R. G. Rutherford and Mrs M. E. Rutherford. Hamilton). 51.96 miles a gallon, 1; Austin 40 (J. McDonald. Te Horo, and O. Jones. Otaki) 51.57. 2; Ford Prelect (W. J. Perkins and E. A. Lucas. Marlborough). 45 28. 3. Class C-—Citroen IDI9 (W. R. Tucker and N. G. Foster. Opoutama), 43.06 miles a gallon. 1: Morris Oxiord (A. N. Bousbrldge and R. M. Gook. Greymouth). 39.33 . 2: Peugeot i Mrs M Black and Mrs J. Lawrence, Wanganui), 38.97, 3. Class D.—Rover 100 (M C. Paterson and Mrs F M. Paterson. Dunedin), 32.97, 1; Vanguard Vlgnale (E. T. Skews and D. A. Wade. Wellington), 31.95. 2: VauxhaU Velox (J. Macintosh and D. Blair, Wanganui), 31.62. 3.