Motoring and Cycling Notes

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 June 1913, Page 4

Motoring and Cycling Notes

In answer to many inquiries whether the Warrnambool-Melbourno road race is to be held this year, the [ Dunlop Rubber Co. state that they are unbale yet to make a definite announcement. The trouble is that the promoters have no suitable place in Melbourne to finish the big event. Owing to the great public interest taken in the event during the past years, enormous crowds havo collected to witness the finish, and on the last two occasions the crowd got out of control; hence a refusal on the part bf the police and City Council to again consent to the event finishing at the usual venue at the Haymarkot. Tho only other suit-

able place for the finish is one of the private roadways into Flemington Racecourse, and the Durilop Company have again approached the Victorian Racing Cluh with a view to hoing permitted to use its main di-'Vo into Plemington Racecourse. Should this he forthcoming the intention is to limit the attendance at the actual finish by issuing invitation tickets, and thus prevent the possibility of overcrowding difficulties that cannot bo overcome at Haymarket. It is anticipated that a definite announcement with regard to this race will be made at an early date.

According to reports from England the closed motor body is now all the Toguo amongst motorists iat J Home, particularly the recently in- ' troduced hybrid, the cabriolet, which so admirably fulfils the duties oi both open and closed car. This type of car body is most in demand, in England to-day, and it has many features to recommend it. It is an expensive body to make, but for appearance and utility it undoubtedly offers motorists an admirable two purpose body, that justifies the extra expense.

The premier motor cycle road ©rent of the world, the tourist trophy race, "•ill bo decided on the Islo of Mnn (off the English coast) this week. This annual event always provides a great contest, and there is keen competition both by riders and manufacturers to carry off this blue riband event. The race is divided into two sections "Senior" and "Junior," the former being for motors with a capacity of between 350 and 500 cubic contimentros, and the junior up to 350 c.c. The race will spread over two days, the bigger powered machines having to cover 2G2 miles, and the smaller machines 225.miles. All the contestants' machines must carry efficient silencers and mudguards. Last year's events were both won by English machines—a two-cycle "Scott"" ridden by F. A. Applebeo, , winning the senior with a speed of 482 m.p.h. over a course of 187 miles. The Junior was carried off by W. H Bnshal] on a 2? h.p. Douglas. The Dunlop R übber Company liave arranged for the results of the twe races to bo cabled out.

A useful little accessory for motorists has just been marketed by the Presto Light Company of Indianapolis. U.S.A., in the form of an acetylene torch or blow-pipe. It can bo attached to a acetylene lamp generator, and generates any beat required, from a light soldering Hame up to a temperature sufficient to braze steel rods 3-8" diameter, ami yet is so compact'(2" long x l' diameter) that it will fit into a vest pocket. The flame is under ready control and tho volume of gas is so small that it is not worth considering. In this country many a motorist has been stalled on the wayside for want of a device of this description, nnd it should not bo long before ono of these handy little accessories will bo fouritl in the box of every motorist who uses his car for touring purposes.