MOTOR AND CYCLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 2

MOTOR AND CYCLE

A most important development, which may have lar-reaching consequences, is the adoption of an international classification of cyclecars. This classification will be recognised in England, France, Germany, United States, Canada, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, and Holland. Hitherto the only definition of a cyclecar has been the one drawn up by the Royal Automobile Club and th© Autocycle Union, which ' defines it by a chassis weight not exceeding 6cwt, or complete with body, 7cwt, and cubic capacity of engine IlOOcc. In the classification drawn up by the International Federation a new class is now introduced for smaller and lower : pmvered machines, and the two classifications will be the following Large class — Weight, not exceeding 7841 b; engine capacity, not exceeding IlOOcc.; minimum tyres, (30mm. Small class— Weight not exceeding 6601 b; engine capacity, not exceeding 750 cc.; minimum tyres, 55mm. All machines must have clutch and chain-speed gear. That J. Gunn’s recently-established motor cycle record ride of 25hrs 55min for tho 672 miles between Sydney and Aielbourne is not easy to beat was amply demonstrated during the past few days. There were eight separate attempts by five riders, all of whom failj ed. The motor cyclists were: P. Rawlinson (Victoria), J. Yee (New South AVales), E. Tyler (Victoria), J. Bolger (New South Wales), and J. H. Lukey (Victoria). Tho first three-named riders made two attempts each. Alechanical troubles accounted for five failures, taking wrong tracks two, and tyre troubles one. Th© best run was easily Tyler’s, for at Kilmoro, thirty-five miles from Aielbourne, he looked like bettering Gunn’s figures. At this stage of the run something went wrong mechanicallly, and he had to leave his machine, and finished up in Aielbourne per motor-car. It has been definitely decided by tile Automobile Clubs ot New South Wales and Victoria that a combined motor-oar reliability contest will be promoted by tho two clubs in March next. The trial will take the form of a sealed bonnet touring contest, in which tho engines of cars will not hq allowed access to without loss of points. Tho proposed rout© and stages of test are as follow :—First day (Alarch 26th), Sydney to Goulburn, 129 miles; second day, Goulburn to Gundagai, 121 miles; third day, Guniagai to AVangaratta, 169 i miles; fourth day, AVangaratta to Melbourne, 149 J miles. AVhito, the overlanding cyclist, intended leaving Fremantle (West Australia) on the Ilth inst.„ with the intention of endeavouring te lower Francis Dirties’ overland record to Adelaide, iueibourne, and Sydney. AVhite’s equiximent will be a Dunlop-shod “Blue Sweak” cycle, and the times he has to better are; Fremantle to Adelaide (1930 miles) in 20 days 12 hours 35 minutes, Fremantle to Aielbourne (2509 miles) in 26 days 5 hours 36 minutes, and Fremantle to Sydney (3077 miles) in 31 days 3 hours 15 minutes. White, who has been in training for the big task ahead of him, is confident that he can reduce the run through to Sydney by several days. Having decided to adopt motor traction, the fire brigade authorities of Greater New York have gone ahead in no half-hearted fashion. For the present tho old system will not be disturbed, but forty-five new stations are being put up, twenty of which are now ready for, occupancy while the others will bo completed at intervals during 1913. For the equipment of these stations eighty-five motor vehicles have been ordered at a cost of about £140,000. They include thirty-one combined chemical and hose waggons, twenty-eight tractor-drawn steam pumps, and twenty-six escapes of various types. Prior to th© departure on Friday last of Air Hugh Hamilton, formerly New Zealand manager of tho Vacuum Oil for Melbourne to take up an executive position in. the head office of the company at Aielbourne, he was presented with a handsomelyframed illuminated address from taxicab owners of Wellington. The address read as follows: “To Hugh Hamilton, Esq.—-In recognition of the manner in which the taxi-owners of AVellington have been supplied with pertoleum spirits to enable them to keep running their cars during the period of tho late shortage in local supplies of Pratt’s benzine and motor spirits, and also the able manner and precautions displayed in preventing speculators manipulating available short supplies during 1912, whereby car owners wore enabled to keep their taxi-cabs running in a normal way, we the undersigned taxi-owners of Wellington desire to express our hearty appreciation of the valuable and capable judgment dipslayed by you in your capacity as New Zealand manager of the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietary, Ltd.” Her© follow tbe signatures of the taxiowners of Wellington.