RECORD BROKEN

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1932, Page 5

RECORD BROKEN

BY “WIZARD” SMITH 4 AVERAGE SPEED 164 M.P.H. BEACH IN BAD CONDITION. (By Ttlcgraph—Per Press Association) NINETY MILE BEACH, Jan. 26. Wizard Smith this a.ternocn broke the world’s' ten mile land speed record, which has been held , by Marchand, at 137.21 mi.es per A. hour. Smith beat this record with an average speed of .164.084 miles an hour. He covered the Southern dash in three minutes 30.402 seconds, or at a speed of 164.084 miles per hour. It was unofficially announced earlier that Smith had broken the record, hut the official result was not known until, about four hours after the event. After Smith set the timing apparatus working, it cannot be stopped until lie has finished the second dash. It is necessary to ascertain that he does not overstep the hour limit, which is laid down by the International body. Unfortunately no intimation of the position was given until about an hour and a-half after the event, and a number of people, who waited on, hoping to hear the time, were disappointed, PREPARATIONS FOR ATTEMPT. Smith this morning seemed determined on something, and preparations were early in hand. They were out getting the course flagged. As the beach was bad 0 t the northern end, postal officials laid an extra mile of cable at the southern end so that jthe ten mile course could be moved further down. Just after a-quarter past five, the powerful Napier Lion engine started, and wriggling into his seat, Smith set out to break the record. The beach I was wet over most of the course, and visibility was not too good. Smith approached the course at a speed of between eighty and ninety miles an hour. He speeded up upon entering the timed stretch of beach, tearing through the wet sand. The Enterprise sent up showers of spray, which coated the windscreen, and, at times, caused Smith to slow down. SPEED OF 200 m.p.h. Near the centre of the course, however, the engine was running beautifulI ly, and i.e reached a speed of 200 miles -A mi hour, holding that speed for some distance! The last stretch of the course Twas very wet, and h e decelerated, causing the engine to splutter and miss. Smith slowed down to a speed of 100 miles an hour passing the final track switch, and then he gradually eased (If), and ran slowly to the dump four miies further on. The racing tyres were inspected by an expert, and no wear was found on the front pair. The back two tyres showed signs of cuts from Toheroa shells. The wheels were changed. The radiator was not heated above

normal on the run, and it was non found necessary to use any water on y the whole journey. .▼ The getting of the car ready for the return dash did not take more than forty minutes, and Smith set out once again. The engine was splutteiing badly, and flames were bursting from the exhausts. When passing the first track switch at a speed of about 100 miles an hour, she sent up a cloud of spray and as there was smoke which obscured the track for some distance, the Enterprise soon disappeared into the haze. The roar of the engine drowned the growl of the waves and the splutter became pronounced a s the sound died away. SMITH WELL SATISFIED. “{ am very satisfied with the car s performance,” said Smith, on returning. “I am confident of the land speed record, although 1 will not try anything with the beach in such a ( condition.”

The driver was covered with sand from head to foot, and he was wet through, while the Enterprise was coated with slush. The efficiency of the gearless transmission and the Eaysona ignition, pleased the driver immensely, and lie stated that they had in some small measure accounted for his success.