Cycling and Motoring Notes.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 April 1913, Page 4

Cycling and Motoring Notes.

From the Duulop Rubber Tyro Co., Christchurch, for week ending oth April, 1913. SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE MOTOR RELIABILITY. Tho mosts important car reliability contest, held in Australia in recent years, was satisfactorily concluded on Saturday last when 19 cars out of 21 starters reached Melbourne from Sydney. Tho trial was one of reliability and efficiency, and was held conjointly by the Automobile Clubs of New South Wales and Victoria. 'Hie 572 miles between the two capitals was divided into four stages negotiated on consecutive days, the sections being as follows :—First day (129 miles) Sydney to Goulburn ; secand day 121 miles) Goulbuni to Gundagai: third day (109 miles) Gundagai to Wngaratta ; fourth day (153 milee) Wangaratta to Melbourne. At the start each contestant was credited with 900 points, representing 500 for reliability, 200 for hill climb up Razorback Mountain, and 200 for petrol consumption. A<s regards reliability, out of 19 competitors to reach Melbourne, nine scored full points, the successful contestant cars being: W. R. Glasson (N.S.W.), Talbot: R. A. Carter (N.S.W.) Crossley : L. W. Pye (N.S.W:) Vauxhall: R EdEins (N.S.W.) Vauxhall: R. G. Carey (Vic.) Fowl; A. T. Tulibs (Vic.) Bianehi: F. R. Crouch (N.S.W.) Metz: J. Maillard (N.S.W.) Brazier: O. Camphin (tf.fi.W:) Itala. No adjustment or repair was necessary on any of these- cm. On the hill climb (decided on formulae) the most successful drivers were, in the order written, W. Glasson, R. Carter. G. Hill. L. Pye, and B. ftdkins. The result of the petrol consumption test is not known at the time of writing, but judging by the quantity of petrol consumed by W. Glasxon's Talbot. it looks as if he wiTl win the £-10 trophy given for the first prize, for on the joint score for reliability and hill climbing he leads.

The weather throughout the run was rather on the wintry side, but nil those. including several ladies, who took part in the tour, appeared to have enjoyed themselves. As the trial was not one; of speed, tyro troubles were conspicuous by their •absence. The condition of the tyres on the ears that completed the runs were an eye-opener, and eloquent testimony to the fact that it is fast and careless driving that shortens tfie life of tyres. The contest was well handled by officials oi the two controling clubs, who are to be congratulated on carrying through the run a<> .successfully. Next year the competition will probably be held from Melbourne to Sydney. Later. The final plaeiugs were:— Ist, W. K. (Jlasson (12 h.p. Tnlbot) Dunlop tyres; 2nd, G. l'\ Hill (12 h.p. Talbot) Continental tyres; 3rd. L. W. I've (20 h.p. VnuxliaH) Dunlop tyres. The maximum points o'litiiinable were 900; Olasson scored full points. Hill 878. and Pyo 877. Olasson won both the hill climb and the petrol consumption. There has been considerable rivalry for .some time past between the supporters of the Newcastle rider. A. H. Shepherd, and T?. Finlay, of Melbourne, as to who was the better rider behind pace. Those men undoubtedly represent the two fastest pace followers in the Commonwealth. The question as to who was entitled to rank as Australia's paced champion was definitely settled at Newcastle last week, when a match over three distances was decided between these riders. Over a mile Shepherd won by nearly two lengths in Iniin. 11 1-osecs.. whilst in the three mile event lie scored by four lengths in omins. 1-lsces. The X.S.W. crack having won the first two heats, a five miles event was abandoned. Shepherd is undoubtedly a very fine rider, and a proved stayer, and would earn big money after a season's experience on the fast European racing tracks. * # * * * * The Motor Cycle Club of N>w South "Wales is a rea Hive body, and is doing cood work in furthering motor cycling in the Mother State. At "Raster time a throe days' reliability test was hold vin Qucnnbpynn and N'owra. then back to Sydney, a distance of -180 miles. Thirty riders started and twelve finished on lime. The trial was a very severe one. especially on the first day, when heavy rain settled tlie chances of many contestants. h * * * ♦ « All the participants in the SydneyMelbourne motor car reliability test marvoT at the recent performance of •T. Bolger, who recently <lrove lu'k Dunlop shod "Nf.S.TT. cycle from Melbourne to Sydney in 23hrs. Hmins. Several pressmen who took part in the run state that it is almost inconceivable that a motor cyclist" could travel over the overland route at the ]>nco that Bolgor did, iniwl Ihoy now appreciate what man, machine and tyres stood up to in the recent record ride of the N.S.W. crack.