AIR RACE RULES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 92, 16 October 1934, Page 9

AIR RACE RULES

CRITIC FROM AUSTRALIA

SMITHY'S PACIFIC FLIGHT

(By Telegraph) (Special to the "Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, October 15. "The Melbourne Centenary Air Bacc, under the rules finally adopted, will be more of a leisurely cruiso than a race," said Mr. John .Stannage, business manager for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who, accompanied by Mr. J. T. Pethybridgc, engineer, is passing through Auckland by the Aorangi on his way to the- United States in connection with the famous airman's forthcoming trans-Pacific ilight. The rules passed by the Eoyal Aero Club would make it necessary for most of the competing machines to land and refuel every 1000 miles, Mr. Stannagc said. With some of the fast machines this would mean a landing every few hours' It might be a desirable safety measure, but it very largely destroyed the racing aspects. ' "In Australia we are inclined to think the rules should favour the British do Havilland Comet machines," Mr. Stannage said. "They arc apparently allowed a cruising range of about 3000 miles. On the other hand, the Italian competitors, who have received enthusiastic support from their Government, may furnish the' winner." Considerable regret had been caused in Australia by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's withdrawal from the race, Mr. Stannago continued. It had been the result of pure bad luck. Delays in the granting of a certificate had been unavoidable, but even then the airman would easily have flown to England in time for the start of the race, but for the damage to his engine cowling. This was made of spun aluminium, and a special plant had to be arranged to carry out the necessary repairs. The work took so long that it would have been practically impossible for the monoplane to bo flown to England in timo for overhaul and testing before the start of the race. "To have attempted to fly to England would have- imposed too great a strain on Sir Charles and his companion, Captain Taylor," Mr. Stannago added. "His decision is regarded in Australia as the only one ho could possibly have marie." Mr. Stannage said lie conld add nothing to the information already published regarding Sir Charles's proposed trans-Pacific flight in the Lady Southern Cross. He hoped to be able to arrange the time of departure from Brisbane so as to have the navigational aid of the full moon on the stretch between Suva and Honolulu. At present Sir Charles proposed to sell the monoplane on his arrival in the United States.