SPEED RECORDS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1930, Page 8

SPEED RECORDS

NIN ETY-MILJB BE AC H

SMITH’S INTENTIONS

OTHER DRIVERS TO RE INVITED

The future of the Ninety Mile Beach as the scene of attempts on world’s iaiid speed records was discussed by Mr H. Butcher, of the Auckland Automobile Association, who left by the Rangitata for England and the Continent. There he will endeavour to interest famous race drivers and the larger motor-car manufacturing concerns in the possibilities of the beach.

In an interiew with a “New Zealand Herald” representative Mr Butcher said that as Kave Don and other well-known racing men had already made inquiries about the Ninety Mile Pleach from the High. Commissioner in London, and it was thought that some ’’ndireot inquiries received had been on behalf of noted drivers, it appeared that they were more or less interested in the beach.

A large amount of detail in connection with the beach has been prepared \v Mr Butcher, who was in charge of the Auckland Automobile Association representatives who timed ‘-‘Wizard” 'tb’s recent attempts. Photographs of the beach have been taken, and one one of the marks left on the sand by Mr Smith’s car, Anzae. during its attempt on the world’s 10 miles record. Although the photograph is distinct, ‘he marks of the tyres are barely discernable on the hard sand, and it is claimed that the beach offers an even >,order surface than Daytona Beach, where the late Sir Henry Segrave made the existing one-mile world record in Ti e G-dden Arrow. PHOTOGRAPHS FltOM AIR. In order to obtain a more uompre’"’l’sive view of the beach than is possible by taking a photograph 'from tlie ground level, one of the Auckland were dub’s machines secured a series of moving pictures of the beach from tli > air.

Armed with considerable data, Mr i her proposes to arrange with the ' i bdi Commissioner in London to Invite drivers and manufacturers’ representatives likely to he interested to. a dinner, at which he will bo able o lay bis information before them. He said that, the possibilities of the Nin n‘•v Mile Beach were not realised by the majority of overseas drivers, and it was possible that the right kind of onblicity might induce some noted driver to- bring bis car to New Zenlan din an attempt to lower one or more of the existing records.

While in England, Mr Butcher will also take the opportunity of examing some of the latest electrical timing devices. He will learn how to operate the devices, some of which are extremely complicated, and will obtain a certificate from the Royal Automobile Club '•ertifying that lie is capable oi operating the timing machines, as be will probably be in charge of the timing of •>ny future attempts on records in New Zealand. As the machines are very

.•.pensive, it has not yet been decided t.o buy one, but prices and other data will he obtained so that in the event of such a machine being needed, the Auckland Automobile Association will be able to have one sent out without delay.

SMITH’S VISIT TO DOMINION

Mr Butcher said that he had receiv'd definite assurance from Smith that he would visit New Zealand next January. He will bring two cars, the An.me, which he used on his last visit. and the new car which is at present being planned. In a recent letter to Mr Butcher, 'fr Smith said he intended attacking the two principle worlds records, the >ne mile and the 50 kilometres. He will use the new car for the one-mile attempt and the Anzne, which has been thoroughly overhauled since its visit to New Zealand, for the 50-kilo-metre attempt. The one mile record was held by Sir Henry Segrave at approximately 233 miles an hour, and the 'O-kilometres bv Mr E. A. I). Eldridge on a Miller car at 132 miles an hour. Mr Smith hopes to attain nearly 300 miles an hour in his new car, and the Australian Government is affording him special facilities for its con si ruction.

STRTCT CONDITIONS'.

fine of tlie stipulations of the Bri--1 ■-b Government in lending the engine was that the Australian Government should prove that it had a man capab'e of designing a sir’tnhle chassis, a man able to drive tbe finished car, and a suitable place to make the attempt. Apparently these conditions were satisled, as the engine is already on its way to Australia. It is insured For t’ 'OOO on the voyage. Another condiI mu tinder which the use of the engine was granted was that it should be into the chassis in a speeiallyhnilt workshop, and that apart from Hr Smith, Mr Don Hnrkiiess, who is designing the car, and two mechanics nobody should ho allowed to even see the engine, which is considered of international importance. The Australian Government lias placed a small nms factory at Sydney at the disposal of Mr Smith, and the building will lie used for the tuning of the engine and 4 ' -■ building and assembling of the The tires, which are of a speo’•‘liv forced type, ha e already been ordered from a well-known in iiiufactur-

j “The 'Ninety-mile Beach 1 is the only t

place in the world, except speciallyconstructed tracks, where a car could maintain ’-cry high speeds for 50- kilometres,” Mr Butcher said. “Mr Eldridgf made the existing record at the Montlhen track near Paris, but Daytona Beach, the scene of recent attempts on the one-mile record, is too short for anything approaching the 50-kilomcl re record. When Mr Smith boat the Australian and New Zealand ton-miles record earlier in the year he said that lie would hn\e gone on and completed the 50 kilometres at the same speed, if the beach had been flagged; for the Avhole distance.

“Unknowing what he sought. ’ Dryden.

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