MAJOR SEGRAVE ESTABLISHES NEW SPEED RECORD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3918, 14 March 1929, Page 3

MAJOR SEGRAVE ESTABLISHES NEW SPEED RECORD.

GOLDEN ARROW DOES OVER 231 MILES PER HOUR. Daytona Beach, March 11. Major H. O. D. Segrave, the British driver, set a nelw world’s automobile speed record to-day of 231.3 miles an hour, basing the record upon an average of two runs on the course, taking a four-mile start before entering the mile stretch over which he ran first north and then south, stopping between runs 'to repack ice in the cooling systeiin and change all his tires and wheels. Segrave ran at the low edge of the course, several times crossing patches of water left by the tide. London, March 12. Major Segrave, telephoning over 4500 miles froim Daytona, told the story to the “Daily Mail” in crisp tones, as follows: “The conditions were bad. The wind ruffled tho sands, and floating whisps of mist reduced the visibility. I should not have gone, but I had waited for a fortnight, and the American competitor could not make his attempt until I had completed mine. Tiwo large arc lights were erected, one at each end of the measured mile, to steer by. I scrapped by telescopic sights, and used ordinary rifle sights attached to the bonnet of the car. The arcs showed up like a blurred glow from the mist. I aimed the sights at 6 o’clock ,on the distant arc, as on an imaginary gun target. Practically using the ear like a rifle, I managed to keep a straight course on to the timing slips- . “My impressions were brief, but exhilarating. I saw in front an are light rushing up to meet me. There was an immence black wall on one flank. This was a solid mass of a hundred thousand people, among whom individuals were indistinguishable, watching the Golden Arrow. Flagposts rushing by on the other flank resejmbled a straight fine across a piece of typewriting paper. My worst experience was during the second run.. The mile has also to be- covered in the opposite direction, and the speed of both runs is averaged to establish the record. The offside radiator burst, aud shot up a great cloud of steam and water. Fortunately, it was near the end of the ran, necessitating hanging on for only a fraction of a second.” New York, March 12. Major 'Segrave is reported tonight to have stated that he would attempt a speed of 240 miles per hour if a minute inspection of the “Golden Arrow” shows that the attempt is feasible. Captain Jrving, the designer of the car, said he believed the car would reach a speed of 300 miles per hour. J. M. White, the triple holder o± the former record, will attempt to beat Segrave’s new record to-mor-row. White said there was more speed in his car than anyone will ever be able to get out of it, while the result depends wholly on the law of gravity.