SPEED RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1931, Page 2

SPEED RECORD

WIZARD SMITH ARRIVES. VERY CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS. (By Telegraph,—Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 8. “The chances of my breaking the land speed record with the Fred Stewart enterprise at the Ninety-Mile Beach are about a million to one on, as I consider that my car is the bestdesigned and built machine that has ever attempted to break the record,” said Norman (“Wizard”) Smithy the noted Australian racing motorist, on his arrival from Sydney by the Ulimaroa. “J. am absolutely confident that I will succeed, and 1 am basing my opinion on the tremendous horse-power developed by the twelve-cylinder Napier Racing Aero engine. The fact is that my car has 34 per cent, less head resistance than the ‘Blue Bird ll.’ with which Sir Alalcolm Campbell gained the present record, and there is greater general efficiency in the design of my ear.” Smith added: “Aly racing car has been designed and built by Don. J. Harkness, of Sydney. It was so steamlined that the terrific wind caused by its movement along the beach would’’ tend to keep it firmly on the track.”

Smith said that, in the event of an accident, his car was swung so low that >t would actually run on its wheels upside down.

Smith stated that lie had not seen the Daytona Beaah ill Florida, U.S.A. where the late Sir Henry Segrave and Sir Malcolm Campbell had made their successful runs, but authorities who had seen both the Daytona Beach and the Ninety Alile Beach considered the Dominion track to be the better one. Moreover,, although tile engine of bis car was of the same type as that in the “Blue Bird” and “Broad Arrow” the motor developed by Napier and Sons, Ltd., of England, for the Schneider Trophy race in 1929, the plant in this Stewart enterprise embodied several fresh modifications, making for greater efficiency. He stated that the attempt oil the record, wheh will take place during the month of January, when the tide and the weather conditions permit, would be the first- all-British attack on the record for many years. In the preliminary beach tests, earned out before the car left Sydney, it behaved perfectly. Smith said the machine, vaguely reminiscent of the late Sir Henry Segrave’s “Golden Arrow,” was stowed on the fore deck of the Ulimaroa. Smith is accompanied by Mrs Smith, Air Harkness, Air C. L. Westcott (representing Lord Wakefield), M. N. Nelson Alcock (one of the chemists on the staff of C. C. Wakefield and Coy., Ltd.), and others.

It is announced that the Alarine Department has decided that no motorcars will be allowed on the NinetyMile Beach during the attempt, except those driven by officials. Smith stated that he would probably attack the 10 miles and the 10 kilometres record first; then the five mile and five kilometre records, and finally the one mile coveted land speed record,

SIR MALCOLM CAMPBELL, AWAITING THE RESULT, LONDON, December 8. In view of the expectation that “Wizard” Smith will beat the motor speed record, Malcolm Campbell’s “Bluebird” is being ,prepared for a fresh attempt at Daytona or in New Zealand. Kaye Don’s “Silver Bullet” is likely to be equipped with new engines capable of a maximum speed of three hundred miles hourly. It is reported that the American is experimenting with a car fitted with Liberty aero engines.