Cycling & Motoring

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 January 1914, Page 4

Cycling & Motoring

From the Duniop Itubber Company of Australasia for the week ending January 2nd, 1913.

The fifth annual motor cycle reliability contest over the interstate route from Sydney to Melbourne (5G5£ miles) was successfully concluded last week. The event attracted a splendid entry, out of which l>4 contestants faced the starter, comprising 'M N.S.W. riders, 27 Victorians and one Tasmanian, and out of this number competitors scored full points for reliability. All told ;J8 riders completed the course. The weather conditions throughout the run were favourable for this time of the year, and taken right through the test was easily the most successful motor cycle event held over this course. ' The first day's run was to Goulburn (12!);, ! miles), including a flexibility hill test. The second was to Gundagai (120 miles), including a hill climb up Jugiong hill; the third to Wangaratta (U'u'i niTTes), and the concluding run into Melbourne' (1472 miles). A nonstop secret control was held over section of the last day's run. The conditions of the test were so complex that the final results were not available four days after the completion of the competition, but it is thought that the actual winner will be a Victorian. The following is a list of those riders who were credited witn points for reliability on the journey, excluding points lost in the 'flexibility test, the hill climb, and non-stop speed competition:—Under :>SO CO.: John A. Gunn "(Vie.); Harry Jenkins (Vic); i<rank Meller (N.S..W); Claude S. Wood (Vic); Under SUO C.C.: A. Levi (N.S.W.); L. H. 13enn (Vic); l< , . T. Clinton (Vic); It. E. Dowel (Vic); L. J. Linch (N.S.W.): C J. Kelynaek (Vic); E. Mayinan (Vic); ltoy E. McClure (N.S.W.); Samuel Payne (N.S.W.); W. \V. Reynolds (N.S.W.); Alfred llobinson (N.S.W.); Eric C. Tyler (Vie); Eric G. Yeomans (jj.S.W.).. 'Over fj(iO C.C: \V. 1). It. Collins (N.S.W.); It. Allen (N.S.W.); I<\ S. Roberts (N.S.W.); James B. Wilson (N.S.W); E. D. Butson (Vic). Those who reached Melbourne, but incurred penalties during the trial, were as under (points lost being): N. McClure, N.S.W. (1); J. MeDowall, Jnr., N.S.W. (4(5). Under SGO C.C.: Jack Donley, Vic. (85); W. S. Edney, Vic. '(1); J. Fargher, Vic. (2); it. GoodalL N.S.W. (ISO); llobert. E. Jones, Vic (1); R. Pennell, N.S.W. (44) W. E. Peverill, Vic (:{); Thomas Purves, Vic. (45): Tom Skilton, Vic (1). t)ver f<6o C.C.: J. A. Fair, N.S.W. (90); A. L. Murdock, N.S.W. (180); L. V. Palmer, N.S.W. (•'{); C. H. Smith, Vic (143). * * * * The first motor cycle reliability contest held between Adelaide and Melbourne was concluded "last week, and was an unqualified success. The trial was spread over five days, the total mileage being s(>;j miles. Nineteen riders left Adelaide, as competitors, and out of this number seventeen reached Melbourne, and ten of these never lost a point during the run. The successful riders were : —A. W. Hanns 2£k.p, jjouglas), C. R. Churchward (o-.\ ii.p. Lewis), A. 13. Carnell (3A h.p. A. Moyle QU h.p." Lewis, w;d;ercooled), C. It. Luxton (7-1) Indian), E. Wagner (G h.p. lilue Spec), J. H. Gilbert (:{i h.p. J. A. P.), J. Collins (Oh.p. Lewis) 2 \V. Davey (JJAli.p. Rudge) 11. Schultz) (7-9 h.p. Indian) full points. * ♦ * - * The condition of the men and machines at the end of this run point to the fact that the Adelaide Melbourne route is easier than the Sydney-Melbourne one. This might not always be so, for on this occasion the contestants were extremely fortunate in finding the dreaded "Coorong" sand desert in good condition. The most difficult part of v tlus journey was (he sandy stretch near StraUidowuie, but otherwise the 'overland route was found in good order. Owing to the fact tbat fen competitors completed the test without loss of points it will be necessary to work out very exact calculations of time -in' fact to seconds -at all cntrols en route to determine the winner. Tho daily sections were as follows: Adelaide to Menin.gve (!J9 miles); Meningie to Kingston (92 miles), Kingston to Cast.erton (Ki"> miles), rjasterton to Bal.lnr.it O-'ifiA miles) :ind Ballaraf to Melbourne (70 niles.