MOTOR AND CYCLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8340, 29 January 1913, Page 10

MOTOR AND CYCLE

SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE. MOTOR-CYCLE RECORD. GREAT RIDE BY A NEW ZEALANDER. The recently established motor-cycle record of 291 hours for the overland route between Sydney and Melbourne did not stand long, and was badly beaten by J. Gunn, a Melbourne motorist. Starting from Sydney at 2. o'clock on Saturday morning, January 18th, he arrived at the Melbourne G.P.O. at 3.55 on Sunday morning, the total time for the 572 miles being 2o hours 55 minutes. The actual time spent in the saddle was about 23 hours. Gunn left Sydney accompanied by J. Booth, another Melbourne rider, but owing to a mishap between Yass and Gundagai. Gunn had to go on alone. Booth eventually fixed up his machine, and was later on checked at Albury over an hour later than Gunn. He subsequently gave up his attempt on the record. The times of arrival by Gunn at the intermediate towns were: Goulburn (129 miles), at 7.20 a.m., Yass (185 miles), at 9 a.m. ; Gundagai (250 miles), at 11.10 a.m.; Germanton (333 miles), 3.0 p.m.; Albury (371 miles). 4.40 p.m. ; Benaila (444 miles), 8.11 p.m. ; Seymour 15031 miles), 12.20 a.m. (Sunday), flushing up at Melbourne at 3.55 a.m. The fastest average speed, including stops to pick up petrol, refreshments, etc., was 32 miles per hour for the 121 miles run from Goulburn to Gundagai. The mounts used by both riders tire what are known as the “Tourist Trophy,” model B.S.A. machines, each shod with Dunlop tyres. Gunn is twenty-three years of age, and a native of New Zealand. The previous motorcycle records over this route ars as follow:

In the recent record-breaking run from Sydney to Brisbane, in which a 12-h.p. Talbot got over 14,700 miles in 36 hours 50 minutes, it would appear that much better time would have been made but for the dreadful state of the roads in Queensland. The muddy water literally poured over the car in places, and when the party reached Brisbane thick mud to a height of eight inches was on the running boards. Mr Wynyard Joss (of Auckland) and Mr Adam were absolutely disguised in mud, and- much bathing was required to cleanse both them and their clothes. Mr Joss says that in all his extensive experience with cardriving, he never had such a bad time, but for all that the car and its engines behaved splendidly, and what is equally good, the record was established under touring conditions. Lorenz and Saldow, of Germany, with a score of 3728 kiloms, won the Dresden Six Days’ Race, Iver Lawson and George Wiley (America) running second. Alfred JTalstead and T. Hall (England) third, and Stabe and Pawke (Germany) fourth. The winners were a lap ahead, the other three tied, and Lawson beat Halstead in the sprint for second. The distance covered is equal to about 2316 J miles. When Don Kirkham, - the Victorian road champion, a few weeks back reduced L. Meredith’s (England) world’s unpaced out and home road record of 4 hours 52 minutes 60 4-5 seconds by no less than 16 minutes, the Dunlop Company had particulars cabled to London. The feeling in England, according to “Cycling” (London), is one of amazement, and they can hardly realise that such a ride as Kirkham’s was possible. They say that such a huge beating after the record had so long defied the efforts of Australian riders seems incredible, and they await further details with interest.

George Wiley, this year’s world’s champion pace-follower, has succeeded to the position held by Charles Parent, the tall French youngster who won the same title 3 years in succession. The race for the title, over a distance of 100 kiloms (about 62 miles 246 yards), took place during the season just closed in Newark, N.J., U.S.A., Parent did not go across to defend his title. Wiley, however, had to meet such performers as E. L. Collins, J. Bedell, E. A. Pye (Victoria), and other experienced and speedy pace-followers, and proved the victor. As a pace-follower he commenced racing in 1908, and has always done well. He has occupied second place to Elmer Collins as champion pacefollower of America (on the point score) in 1909, 1910, and 1911, and during 1911 won ten first, twelve second, and five third prizes at this branch of the sport. In 1912 ho capped all he had done before by accounting for the world’s paced championship, riding the 100 kiloms (62 miles 246 yards) in 1 hour 24 minutes 7 seconds.

H. MJ. A. Fair (N.S.W.), Oct. 1911 48 49 w, . Tormev (Vic.), Dec. 1911 34 3 J. Yee (N.S.W.), Jan. 1912 ... 31 19 J. A. Fair (N.S.W.), Nor. 1912 29 43 c. Mundy (Vic.), Jan. 1913 ... 29 30