Motoring and Cycling Notes.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 September 1911, Page 4

Motoring and Cycling Notes.

(From the Dunlop Rubber Company). Senator Pearce Minister of Defenoe, ha 6 been pleased to grant patronage on behalf of the Commonwealth military authorities to the Dunlop Company's big despatch relay race between cyclists, motor cyclists and motor cars over a course from Adelaide to Sydney, a distance of 1149 miles. Senator Pearce was keenly interested in the Cycle Relay Despatch ride that was organised by the Dunlop Company in, 1909, so much, so that he rode.across to the last changing station from the New South Wales military encampment at Liverpool and congratulated Messrs E. A .Pearson and T. Larcombe (who carried the military despatch over the last stage into Sydney), on behalf of all the cyclists who had so successfully carried the despatch— link by link—across three States. The Minister of Defence has always ibeen keenly alive to the potentialities of the cycle for military purposes, and at the time lie expressed liiis great appreciation of the value of the last relay ride. The forthcoming event —which will be the first of its kind ever held in the world— should, owing to the competitive element introducedby pitting the cycle, motor cycle, and motor car against each other, produce one of tlhe most remarkable, interesting and instructive contests held in the world. It is proposed that the'motor car despatch bearers concede the motor cycle section G hours' start, .whilst the motor cyclists in turn wsill endeavour to give 24 hours' start to the cyclists. The ride will he held next April. The Annual New Zealand test race —to select the dominion's representative in the Dunlop road race to be held from Warrnambool to Melbourne on October 14—was decided on Thursday, September 7, over a 112 miles course from Christ-church to Timaru, and 1 resulted in a win for G. W. Prebble. The winner started off the 35 minutes' mark, and negotiate dthe stiff course in 61w Omin 22sec; E. Slow (35min)" finished second, with T. Coleman (21min) third 1 . Fastest time was established 1 by one of the scratch men, P. o'Shea. who covered the course in ohr 37sec 31 1-5 sec. whilst another scratch rider, in J. Coulter, recorded second fastest time. The first, second' and third men rode "Dunlops." The race was run under favourable weather conditions and attracted great interest throughout New Zealand. One hundred and seven riders started!. 70 finished, 48 of whom will reccive time medallions. J. de Rosier, t!he crack American motor cyclist, 'has succeeded in establishing two new world's motor cycle records on the Brooklands track (England), he covering a. mile from a. flying start in [40 4-ssecs., equal to a speed of 88.2 miles an lionr, and a flying start kilometre at even a faster rate of speed, the 1093 yards taking 25 l-ssec.. equivalent to 88.7 miles an hour. De Rosier has justly earned lids title of world's champion. The United States military autlio rities have adopted a sensible means of determining the value and possibilities of the motor car in warfare. The ever-alert Americans have long sought to find out things in their own practical way, and a good example of w'hat is being done is cited by an American contemporary. Cadets from the North-Western Military Academy have left Chicago on a. 3,000 miles experimental trip with four motor cars, two of which are used as gun carriages. This- travelling battery will carry out experimental work as balloon destroyers, and' as such are equipped with quickfiring, high-angle guns. But the principal work of the military cars lies in their use of wireless telegraphy. Each vehicle has its wireless outfit, and with the aid of telescopic masts the range of the apparatus is about 50 miles. Small balloons can also be sent up which will ca.iT.v the wires to any desired height and thus further increase the distance over which communication can be made. The engines of the care are used to generate the necessary electric current for this work. Each car has a. complete equipment, including camping outfit, pioneer tools, searchlight, heliograph, and guns; and rations are carried for three days. Usually the vehicles are 30 to 40 miles apart, and they keep in touch with each other day and night, testing the various apparatus under field conditions. During the tour demonstrations will be made before military authorities to show the* possibilities of the new method. The 25 miles road championship of Western Australia was held _ last Saturday, and resulted in a. win for the Victorian rider, A. J. Davies. who won a great race by the small margin of half a wheel From A. Kaiser, who last week established fastest time in the Beverley-Perth road race. Western Australia Unas evidently unearthed a most promising road rider in Kaiser, wiho will ride in the Warrnambool as their accredited representative. It was at first reported that Kaiser would he unable to get away for a trip to but latest advices state that he is now coming across. The Tour de France—the longest and most valuable road race in Europe—was won by Garrigou. The .physical effort sput forth by the riders in thiis great road 1 contest apipear to be almost beyond human endurance. In fifteen stages, with onily one day's rest between each, the riders covered 3,293 miles, crossing the Alps, the Pyrenees and Jura Mountains—three of the stiff est climbs in France. The fastest rider covered the 3.293 miles in 190 hr. 52min., riding time equal to an average speed of 17.4 miles an hour for the full distance. The contest wasdeckliedl on. noints. Tlhe .winner's avernsre was 16.8 miles an hour: out-of 80 starters 28 finished the course.