RACE ABANDONED

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1932, Page 5

RACE ABANDONED

MOTOR CAR AFIRE

“WIZARD” SMITH RETURNING

(By Telegraph—Per Brett Association)

K AITAI A, May 1

“Wizard” Smith lias met another set back, this time causing him to abandon any further attacks on the records for land speed until next year. While he was actually attacking |he dive-mile record, his car the “Enfefc prise” caught fire to-day and forced (Smith to abandon the race. Smith has announced that he will leave for Sydney shortly, and that he is to return next summer. The beach was smooth but wet, yet Smith decided to go, and the arrangements were started early. The course 'was flagged, and several fresh water streams were dammed with sacks and sand. 'Everything was ready at 11.30 a.m., when the Enterprise was towed from the garage. She .started beautifully from a rolling start. The car went 'well for over two miles, then the engine began to cough, eventually cuting out. The bottom • carburettor burst into flames, but these were extinguished before much damage was done.

That finished the attempt, and with its paint blistered, the car was towed back to the garage, Smith attributed the trouble to water splashing through the apertures on the magnetos. "I was doing 170 miles,” he said, “when the ignition began to cut out, owing to water. The engine missed, eventually cutting out after going two and a quarter miles. .When it and the roar of the. exhausii stopped, I coul’d hear sparks. through the engine, and the bottom carburettor burst into flames. 1 tried to put the fire out with the extinguisher I carried but I could not get at the seat of the trouble. Then I used water, and fortunately extinguished the fire.”

The car has not yet been examined, but (Smith said he chought the damage wa,s not serious, but it left a visible mark, the paint being blistered for some distance just behind the radiator cowling. “Although no damage was done 'to the car,” said Smith, .“it is no use goiDg on. It is impossible to get a dry beach until the middle of next summer and I am forced to postpone the project. I will come back here, and try again •next season.” ' Smith is definitely not going to Daytona Beach, Florida, for he is still of the opinion that Ithe Ninety Mile Beach is the best in the world when a westerly wind is Vowing. ___

” ‘Smith sauT.that the revolving windscreen was a great success. It worked beautifully, and alfhough the water was pelting on it like heavy rain, he. had perfect vision and when the , car returned to the garage, the screen was perfectly clear and clean. Before the crowd disappeared, Mr Allen Bell on behalf of 'Smith, thanked those who had given assistance in flagging the course on several occasions, when Smith attempted a record or made a trial run. The Beach was until: for high speed. He called for three cheers for Smith and Mrs Smith. The A.A.A. officials are all returning to .Auckland.