MOTORING AND MOTORISTS

Evening Star, Issue 23380, 25 September 1939, Page 11

MOTORING AND MOTORISTS

LIGHTING-UP TIMES To-dav 7.8 Tuesday 7.9 Wednesday 7.10 . Thursday 7.12 Friday 7.13 Saturday ' 7.14 Sunday 7.15 PUBLICATION RECEIVED The ' lladiator ' for September. PLASTIC HIGHWAYS ROAD MAKING IN EGYPT A revolutionary, method of building roads out into the Egyptian deserts has been adopted, which enables motor highways capable of carrying cars at 80 m.p.h., to be laid at the rate of a. mile and a-quarter a day. Tho method used is stated to be a triumph of road-making over arid wastes, unparalleled in the history of highway construction. To build the conventional type of road into the Egyptian deserts for • strategical purposes would ha've called for 3,000 tons of stone for every kilometre (1,093yd5) constructed. The difficulties of such a were practically insurmountable, apart from the colossal cost of such an undertaking. However, the job of creating highways to strategic points in Egypt ia being tackled in a novel and interesting manner by laying a plastic mat across the sand wastes. Hugo machines actually make a road as they cross between a military tank and a harvesting machine. These outfits are used to impregnate the sand on tho spot with a bitumen waste product of oil. The mixture is known as " Marzipan." Gangs of native labourers clear, level, and sweep a desert, track. Then follow slowly the great motor mixers, pouring out their streams of steaming Marzipan. As the mixture cools, it bites into the sand, binding it into a firm elastic tensile strip. The machines actually make a road as they slowly creep forward. Tho mixture is laid about 2in thick, and 24 hours later, when it is set, it is capable oi withstanding, without fracture, the hauling of heavy guns by tanks at 30 m.p.h. The actual cost of putting down these plastic highways, apart from the cost of the monstrous mechanical mixers and layers, works out at about £745 a mile, only a traction of the outlay for making an ordinary road. , . It is estimated that, although the plastic surface of these desert highways is only 2in thick, they will stand up to motor traffic for about 7-J years, as compared with 15 years for a bitu-minous-macadam road. It is claimed that, even if the Marzipan road is broken up by heavy traffic or shell fire it can be remixed and relaid at only a fifth of the original cost.

A.A. (OTAGO) X ANNUM. REPORT The annual report of the Automobile Association (Otago), to be presented at the annual meeting on September Ja, states: — “It is pleasing to report the continued upward trend of membership figures. On August 31 we had a total ot 5,863 members on our roll, and we are confident those figures will exceed before our annual meeting, so that our membership has been practically doubled within two years, surely a splendid tribute to the progressive policy ot the present executive, and to the good work being performed by our staff and service officers, these men being largely responsible for the additions to the roll. This increased membership proves conclusively that motorists have joined our organisation for direct benefits obtainable, and a larger membership should help us to further extend our activities which are all for our mutual benefit. Our small subscription of £1 is a motorist’s cheapest insurance, and the continued increased membership of our South Island and North Island Unions, which embody all automobile associations in both islands, is gradually bringing about better appreciation of the solidity of our unions, which together now number over 96,000 members. _ “ The recent increase of 4d per gallon brought forth a united protest from both unions, and quoting from that protest : ‘ Coming as it does after repeated representations had been made for relief by revision of that part of the former tax which was allocated to the Consolidated Fund, the Government’s action indicates a complete disregard of the interest of petrol users.’ “ The text of our union’s protest has been given wide publicity by the Press, and members can be assured that the Government has been made well aware of the objections of all motorists to this further taxation imposition, as we are advised, in the interests of defence, and therefore placing all objecting motorists in the invidious position of being termed unpatriotic and unwilling to assist in the defence of the Dominion when they are already carrying their full share of this responsibility. The great majority of cars are now used considerably in business, and this latest taxation still further increases the cost of living and is definitely not a luxury tax. “ During the year a new system of parking regulations was brought into force in the city, restrictions which motorists as a body strongly resented, possibly on account of the previous latitude in this direction. The executive strongly opposed the original plan of restrictions, but after negotiations with

tho General Committee of the City Council, a number of modifications were agreed to, aud it is believed the present parking limits are being accepted and obeyed by the majority of motorists. Anomalies are sure to present diinculties, but any seriohs disability will have the immediate attention of the ciiiei traffic, inspector. , r , ■ , “ The committee reports that, although heavy expenditure was incurred in connection with the expansion of the association’s activities, it is in a position to report that the association lias not only balanced its budget, but_ has shown a profit for the year. A considerable amount of the past year’s expenditure will be non-recurring, as it was absorbed in the purchase of necessary plant and office equipment necessitated by the increased membership. The equipment has been brought up to date and is now capable of adequately dealing with a still larger membership without incurring further capital expenditure.” BAD CORNERING Observation of how badly many motorists drive round corners leads to the conclusion that many drivers have absolutely no knowledge whatever that the only thing which enables'them to gO' round a cofrier & the adhesion of the tyres to the road surface, and that the faster they make a turn the less that adhesion becomes. They do not realise that the friction between the tread of the tyre and the road surface is to their car whilst negotiating a corner, just the same as a piece of string is to a sling swished round in a circle. Once the string breaks, the stone in the sling flies off. Thanks to the very efficient design of most of the modern tyre treads, many drivers escape trouble when cornering too fast, but even then accidents do happen at times through attempting to corner at too high a speed. The danger is greatly intensified if one indulges in this practice in a car or truck shod with smooth worn tyres, and realisation that safety when cornering at speed depends solely on tyre adhesion, would prevent most of the accidents attributable to this fault. USES FOR PLASTICINE Not all motorists are aware how handy plasticine is in stopping leaks in some motor car components. For instance, this putty-like substance can be used to stop a leak in the corners of a windscreen and for caulking leakages of petrol, oil, or water. Having the property of remaining always plastic so that it does not tend to crack under vibration, this material, obtainable at most toy or stationery shops in various colours, provides a handy makeshift in effecting temporary repairs. IMPORTANCE OF THE WATER SYSTEM It is commonly known that the formation of rust is due to the action of oxygen in water and air when in contact with iron or alloyed steel. That is one of the reasons why it is necessary to have some method of internally cleansing the water passages in an automobile engine. The formation of rust and scale in the cooling system will, in time, cause clogging in the water course of the cylinder block and weakening of the cells of the radiator core. These conditions cause overheating, steaming, loss of power, and generally poor engine performance. Chemists have therefore provided preparations to combat the formation of rust in an engine, but owners are advised to be extremely careful of the use of these, because some cleansing methods are not only unsatisfactory, but actually dangerous to the wellbeing of the engine. Only products with a reputation should be used when flushing the water system, a job which is often approached without due regard to its importance and the damage which may bo caused if improperly curried out.

MOTORISED BICYCLE TAKING ON IK BRITAIN The motor-assisted bicycle is coming into its own in Great Britain, which is not surprising considering the advantages such machines—known as “ AVilfreds ” in England—offer to those who desire to cycle without being called upon for undue exertion. Well-made reliable motor-assisted cycles are now selling in Great Britain for under £2O each, and, judging by the reported demand, this type of machine is rapidly gaining in popularity in the Old Country, which is credited with having some 10,000,000 cyclists. Described briefly, these machines have the appearance of a normal bicycle, only that the usual components are more heavily designed. Normal pedalling gear is featured, an ingenious dogclutch arrangement being provided to enable the machine to bo pedalled in an emergency, without turning the engine. A little petrol engine of about 98 e.c. capacity, developing in the region of one h.p., supplies the necessary power to propel the cycle and its rider at an average speed of from 20 to 25 m.p.h. over give-and-take roads. Only on very stiff gradients is it necessary to give some slight assistance by a few thrusts of the pedals to keep up the “ revs ” of the little engine, so that it can deliver its full power. The average petrol consumption runs out at about 140 miles to the gallon, thus providing one of the cheapest forms of transport, the cost for fuel and oil working out at about five miles a penny. The machines, which are marketed with either diamond or open frame, can, it is stated, he started, stopped, and controlled almost automatically, yet they are so simple in construction that they make little demands upon the owner’s mechanical abilities or ingenuity. . It is rather surprising that the motorised bicycle has not been taken up to any great extent in this country, for it represents easy travel with true economy.

&y "Radiator*’

MOTOR CYCLING FIXTIWES October 7.—Slow hill climb. October 16. —Monthly meeting . October 21-23.—Labour Day trial. November 4. —Field day. November 12.—Social run. November 20.—Monthly meeting. November 25.—Hi1l climb, December 9.—Mystery run. December 17.—Social run. December 18.—Monthly meeting. These fixtures are subject to alteration. CLUB NEWS The monthly meeting of the Motor Cycle Section (A.A.0.) was held in the club rooms on September 18. Mr J. D. Carson presided over a good gathering of members _ and friends. Owing to the far-reaching effects of tho present international situation and its consequent petrol restrictions, tho normal life of the club has been somewhat upset, but tho committee does not intend to cancel its programme, as was previously announced. However, the events may require to be rearranged and the runs will of necessity he shorter. During the discussion which arose out of the matter Mr S. A. Morris moved a motion to the effect that in the meantime the Ariel Cup competition bo suspended, which motion was duly passed by the meeting. During the evening Mr W. Tomlinson, a member who lias been in Wellington for the last few months, gave -an interesting comparison of the different motor cycle clubs ho visited during his stay in the North Island, but he was convinced that the Otago Club was one of the best controlled and progressive clubs in New Zealand. A report was also given on the mystery run which was held a few weeks ago. At the conclusion of the meeting members were again entertained by Mr J. Robertson and his “ movio ” camera. Members are reminded of the next motor cycle event, which will be a scramble, on October 7, on a course as near to town as possible. HIGHER AVERAGE SPEEDS Gradually motor cycle average speeds in long-distance road races in Europe are creeping towards the 100 m.p.h. mark. It is only about 10 years ago that people were amazed to hoar that a motor cyclist had actually crammed 100 miles into an hour on a track. Now that speed is at times being far exceeded, and the average pace in longdistance road races, which generally means a stop halfway for petrol, is rapidly getting near the century. Even on the tortuous Isle of Man Tourist Trophy circuit the average speed of tho winning 500 c.c. machine (nominally about 5 h.p.) over 264 miles was 89.38 m.p.h. in this year’s “ T.T.” At times the winner was clocked to be travelling at close on 140 m.p.h. 1 A few weeks later, in the European Grand Prix, which is decided on a faster circuit in Belgium, the average speed of 94.88 m.p.h. was recorded by the winner over a distance of 250 miles. One of his circuits (8 miles l, was covered at 100.63 m.p.h. That fine achievement was, however, eclipsed in the Ulster Grand Prix, decided near Belfast (Ireland). The race was won at an average speed of 97.85 m. the 246 miles being covered in 2h 30min 50see. This is the fastest average speed ever achieved by a motor cyclist in a long-distance road event. TOLD AT THE WHEEL Inventor: “Suggest something that the world needs for me to invent.” Friend: “ A portable parking space.”