A WORLD’S RECORD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3773, 29 March 1928, Page 4

A WORLD’S RECORD.

15,000 MILES IN TEN DAYS,

To cover an average of 15,000 miles at an average of just over 60 miles per hour in a car, and break the existing record by 48 hours 26 min. as well as several other records is the remarkable performance of a 6 cylinder 1.991 A.C. running on Montlhery Track, Prance, between Friday December ,9th and Sunday, December 18th, 1927.

'The performance which stands out wonderfully to the credit of the British industry, was accomplished modestly by two /motorists under condition calling for extraordinary energy, determination and endurance of both car and drivers. The Hon. Victor and Mrs. Bnice set out on this adventure with very little preparation, no powerful organisation behind them. Their sporting spirit was such as to arouse the genuine enthusiasm and admiration of the French public and motor enthusiasts. It is rarely, indeed, that a motoring event has touched the popular imagination as this epic struggle of the British sportsman and his plucky team mate battling against time and the elements, and succeeding finally despite the heavy odds against them. Had they failed they would have been dismissed as hair brained lunatics; having won magnificently they are popular heroes.

No records were broken at the outset, a car prepared for 15,000 miles does not pick up world’s short distance records on the way. And yet the debut was auspicious, nearly 79 miles being covered in the first 'hour, just over 78 being averaged in the first six hours. 79 being maintained in the first twelve, and the end of the first full day showed the A.C. with an average of more than 78 rn.p.h. to its credit HEROIC EFFORTS TO DEFEAT , THE ELEMENTS.

'Weather conditions had changed for the worse, fog, rain, cold winds, sleet and snow having given way to intense cold, the thermometer standing at 2o centigrade during the night, silk wool leather and rubber were ineffective to keep out the bitn ing cold, but it failed to break down the'courage and the endurance of the two drivers. Still the average was kept up, and encouragement came when the first world’s record was broken at 4,000 miles, followed by another at 5,000 miles and a. third at 10,000 kilometres.

Every three hours the car was stopped, for petrol and water, and Castrol Oil supplies if necessary, but changes of drivers were made at longer intervals according to the weather and physical condition of the staff, but the mental and nervous strain, the extraordinary physical effort were slowly sapping the vitality of the drivers. It was just before four o’clock on the Sunday afternoon that the A.C. was brought to a standstill, having broken the world’s 15,000 miles recoi’d by the substantial , margin of 48 hours 26 minutes. Of the old records only the one for 25,000 kilometres remained standing. MECHANICAL ADJUSTMENTS. Wjhile one is lost in admiration at the plucky performance of the two drivers, the speed and endurance of' the ear are most remarkable. During these fifteen thousand miles the mechanical work was almost nil. Thus to average 68.01 rn.p.h. for ,15,000 miles in snow, sleet and bitter cold is a achievement. It becomes amazing when the extremely difficult di’iving conditions and time lost (through overturning on an icy track) are taken into account. Had it not been for this the average would have been nearer the lapping speed of 85 'rn.p.h.