SPEED RECORDS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 71, 20 September 1930, Page 28

SPEED RECORDS

NWETY MILE BEACH

INTEREST IN ENGLAND

fsfrom "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, loth August.

Since his arrival in England about *hree weeks ago, Mr. H, J. Butcher (representing the Auckland Automobile Association) has been prosecuting with Characteristic vigour his propaganda on Jjjehalf of the claims of the Ninety-Mile feeaeh in • the Par North of New Zea-

Sand as a speed track for motor records. - . ■. - ' :.

Last "Monday evening lie was chief £aest at the monthly dinner of the British Hacing Drivers' Club. This body is composed of the prominent "speed merchants" of, Great Britain, and a ■number of distinguished men wore among the hundred present. The-din-ner was presided over by Earl Howe, who had Mr. Butcher on his right and Captain Malcom Campbell (the only surviving motorist to drive a car at more than 200 miles an hour) on his left, others present including. Colonel Jpindsay Lloyd, C.M.G-.. (chairman of the Competition Committee of the B.A.G. Slid clerk of the course at Brobklands Motor Baeing Track), Dr. J. D. Benjafteld, Mr. Clive Dunfee, Captain A. SVaser Nash, Mr. S. C. H. Davis, Mr. p. M. K. Marandaz, Mr. W. B. Scott, &ad Captain A. B. O. White. Mr. Kaye ©on was away from London. After the dinner, Earl Howjo introJkiced Mr. Butcher, remarking in very f*ompliinentary terms upon the way he ad introduced the claims of New Zealand so far as the excellence of the ifinety-Mile Beach was concernod. Mr. tintcher had come to England, he said, very definite knowledge of his subject, and he was most energetic in getting further necessary information for $!iem. He was also struck with the personal disinterestedness of their jraesfc, and he felt sure that if the beach Ultimately proved suitable, the people »f New Zealand —particularly the AutoMjobile Association of Auckland —would go everything that was possible to asa record-breaking event. GBEAT STRETCH OF SAND. Jlt. Butcher was called upon 'to ad•flsess the gathering, and lie did this with commendable brevity, and yet he brought out every ecessary point/ He ifeplained by what steamer routes New (Zealand could be reached, the special shipping facilities and concessions that would be made available, and the .warm co-operation that would be offered by the Automible Association of New Zealand and by the people generally. fie gave the fullest details regarding the beach, which was actually 67 miles in. length. Of this distance, 37 miles Jw-as suitable for high-speed driving. A ■width of 550 ft of firm sand was available at low tide. The low spring tide las a rise of 10ft and the neap tide a $se of 9ft. The beach was free from prater courses. Mr. Norman Smith used the beach last January in an attempt on the world's record for ten miles. He covered that •jistance at a speed of 148 ni.p.h., but "Ao record could be claimed as the international regulations were not fully obAerved. Jn his opinion the beach would be safe for speeds up to 300 •m.p.h. The Auckland Automobile Association was prepared to purchase the latest form of timing apparatus (at a £ost of £400) if there was a prospect «jf British drivers taking their cars to New Zealand.

"I feol sure that the next world's teeord by an Englishman will be made iv. New Zealand, if it is made &nyWhere,'* added Mr. Butcher. Captain O«Eipbell had referred to the great 'distance as a drawback. "Well, when Mr. Kaye Don was to make the attempt at Daytona last March, it took a long time and it was never done. Mr. Don w^s at Daytona 2-} months, and then he never did it. During the time he was Waiting at Daytona he could have gone •fco New Zealand and back, at about a quarter of the cost. In the United {•States the pound is worth about a shilling, in New Zealand a shilling goes as far as a pound will go in the United States." CAPTAIN" CAMPBELL'S INTEREST. After his address Mr. Butcher showed 'a, cinematograph film portraying various sections of the beach, and this effectively supplemented his remarks...

and then Colonel Lindsay Lloyd proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Butcher, expressing their gratitude for the very clear and candid statements which he had made. It seemed that New Zealand had got something exceptionally good—something British. (Applause.) Mr. Butcher had told them exactly what they wanted to know, and so far as they could see- from the film and photographs there was not a better track in the world. There were still some details to be gone into and negotiations to be effected before they could come to any decision, but ho hoped that Mr. Butcher, with the assistance of the High Commissioner of New Zealand, who had shown great interest in the matter, would be able to persuade one of their record breakers to go to NewZealand. (Applause.) Captain Malcolm Campbell seconded the vote of thanks. He said he was very much impressed with what he had learned regarding the beach. From what Mr. Butcher had said, particularly as to the provision by the Auckland Association, of a timekeeper and the necessary apparatus, and also as to the availabili* locally of motor mechanics, it seemed that the cost would be very much less than he had formerly imagined. This would be a great item in inducing him personally to attempt to beat the world's record on that beach. He intended to go further into the matter with Mr. Butcher. ' A vote of thanks was carried with enthusiasm. "SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES. Since the dinner I have had a conversation with Captain Campbell, who enumerated some of the difficulties he would have to face if he should decide to attempt a record in New Zealand. In the first place, ho said, it was_ a longway to New Zealand, and a preliminary inspection of the beach before taking out fme's apparatus would be out of the question. One would have to take the bull by the horns and trust to the opinion of others: Beaches were much.

the same in all parts of the world and change vat every tide. Then, the conditions necessary for a speed of 250 miles an hour were very different from those necessary for a speed of 150 miles an hour.

Another obstacle was that the beach was a long way up country, and there were not the ordinary facilities one would find near a large town.

"It is very sporting of the New Zealand people," added Captain Campbell, "to offer to supply the timing apparatus. It would be a fine thing if a record were established in one of the Dominions, and I hope something may come of the proposal."

Mr. Butcher 'greatly appreciates the reception he has had. He met the officials of the B.A.C. as soon as he got here, and he has been extremely well received by everybody. He expected to show the film first to the E. A.C., but he was told that the British Racing Drivers Club were very anxious to see it, and arrangements wore made accordingly. He has been in touch with representatives of oil companies, with motor papers, and with people who are prominent at Brooklands.

Yesterday he was at Brooklanrts with Colonel Lindsay Lloyd, largely with the view of seeing the working oi the moat up-to-date- timing apparatus. He has met the Beam Switch people (the Kadio "Visor Company), and the makers of the Mercers Chronographs. At Belfast next week he hopes to become acquainted with the internal organisation of the motor contests.