SEAGRAVE'S FEAT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1927, Page 4

SEAGRAVE'S FEAT

DRIVING “BLIND” AT 207 -MILES AX HOURSAX FRANCISCO, April G. Alajor 11. O. I). Seagrave v.ho smashed idl existing world records when he drove bis “mystery” British Sunbeam cai' at 207 miles an hour on the sands of Daytona Reach, Florida, stated subsequently that his sight was seriously handicapped by the terrific wind velocity and speed of his motion. His vision, even with goggles, was nothing but a blur, lie said, and he was to all intents and purposes blind after reaching the high-speed ranges. “That was one of my major worries'' hi- said. “I could not tell where J war.. One time I came entirely oil' tin- throttle and then realised [ was still in the middle of the course. “Scared? There wasn’t any time. I had a ioh to do. I believe if the head wind were less 1 could have got ten miles more. “When the time comes that 200 miles an hour is the normal speed, there will he need’of a new sort of braking system new steering rig. and a different distribution of weight,” he added. “ With existing equipment-, there is practically no control over a machine travelling at, that rate of specif. “In my big skid, where they t 1: me I bit the Hagposts, I am sure i had the steering wheel locked right over for a long way before there was any answer at all. I saw the llag-staves only at the moment I struck them.’’ The highest speed hy air is 278 miles an hour, by Florentin Bennett, of Frame, in December, 1924. Alajor Seagrave used up four miles in i.-vt-ir? Ids highest speed then one mile of tost, then four miles to slow down. He said his focal point at his highest speed was a .quarter of a. mile away, and six feet wide. His car lines 75 miles an hour in low gear and 110 in second gear. It is an interesting study for motor-drivers to discuss what effect is caused by taking midland from the driving wheel, at 149 miles an hour, to change into the third gear, to attain 200 miles and over. llow much unconscious swerve takes place in that time? Alajor Senyravo did not know.