Cycling and Motoring Notes.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 December 1912, Page 4

Cycling and Motoring Notes.

From the Dunlop Rubber Tyre C 6 .: Christchurch, for week ending December 14th, 1912. Whilst the lust of record breaking was on D. Kirkham last week, he made an onslaught on H. B. James' I long standing world's unpaced 25 miles' road record of 61 minutes, established in 1893. Kiiikhiam again recorded wonderful tim%g, negotiating tho 25 miles in 50min <30Jfceu. He pushed, a 100 inch gear, and rode I the first live miles in lOmin 2lsec., tho second in lOmiu l6ec, the third in lOmiu lOsec, the fourth in 9min 54sec ,and tho fifth in 9min 56isec. The fastest mile was the 24th, ridden in lmin sQsec. Kirkham, who had the assistance of u following wind,,-was checked by officials in a motor car, every mile being clocked. This great alide was accomplished on "Dunlops" over a. straightaway course botween Mortlake and Der- . rinallum, Victoria. * # * * K Tho recent record motorcycle rido of Mr J. A. ifair from Sydney to Melbourne'in 29hrs 43min has raised the question as to whether it is possible to cover the 572 miles between the two capitals on a motor cycle in 24 hours. Tho writer, who has an intimate, knowledge of thii overland route, is of the opinion thai it can bo done, but only by verj careful organisation and attention to detail. In the first place proper feeding arrangements mu6t be made (Fair was nearly starved on his roceut ride), and it should, bo unnecessary to lose time in this connection. The same applies to railway gates, many of which aro locked during night hours, especially on the Now South "Wales side., Arrangements want to be made with the gatekeep--1 ers re opening, etc. Another important item is the fitting of larger tyres. Fair centainly same through without using a pump on his studded Dunlops, but that is not everything. With bigger tyres fitted— 3 inch would be preferable, if the forks of machine could be made to take them—the rider would make better average pace over the whole journey, and would • not get tho jarring and knocking about that lie now experiences, using the standard 2J inch tyres. It would certainly ho easier for man and machine. Another big factor is that the record breakere should have company at all parts of the journey, particularly in the night hours. The essential feature is to eliminate all waste of time. Keep moving, is only at a medium pace. Twentyfour hours for the Sydney-Melbourne journey cans an average of nearly 24 miles an hour. It's a big undertaking for this particular route, but the writer thinks it possible with a first class rider. J .E. Yee, the Newcastle rider,, who held the record previously to Fair, is now making arrangements to regain it, and will probably make an attempt at a nearly date. ***** The Tours Committee of the Automobile Club of New South Wales are considering the advisability of promoting an interstate reliability contest between Sydney and Melbourne. The Victorian Club will probably be asked to co-operate lanj make the event a joint one. Such a contest would no doubt prove of great interest, especially, if, say, a team of 12 New South Wales cans were pitted against a similar number of Victorian ones. In 1905 two very interesting motor car trials were held over this interstate route by tho Dunlop Rubber Co., and proved great sporting contests; in fact, the most successful and popular yet held in this country. It is suggested that tho event be held early next year. Several alternative j routes are available, but probably tho most instructive and most picturesque would be to take in part of tho New South Wales south coast route, down as far as Nowra, thence across to the over land route via Moss Vale. This would provide some very stiff hill climbing over tho Kangaroo Valley country. It is to be hoped that the sporting committee of the Victorian Club will take the matter up, for 6Uch an event would prove very popular and instructive. * * * * s The efficiency of the latest type of motor cycles is remarkable. Fancy being able to cram 67 miles, 782 yards into an hour on a 3J h,p. engine. This fine performance was recently accomplished on Brooklands (England) by G. E. Stanley. The difference in Brooklands track and the amateur sports track, Melbourne, judged through J. Booth's recent hour's record of &2 miles 201 yards, is equivalent to over 15 miles in the hour, for both lie and Stan- 1 ley rode powered similar machines.