124 M.P.H. !

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 498, 30 October 1928, Page 7

124 M.P.H. !

New Mo tor-Cycle Record i For some time past the crack racing motor-cyclists of England and the Continent have been endeavouring to attain a speed of 200 kilometres (124.28 m.p.h.), and at last an English rider in Captain O. M. Baldwin has succeeded. The record was publicly achieved on a straightaway course at Arpajon in France, the mean speed attained for the mile with a flying start being 124.6 The time for the kilometre (1.093 2-3 yards) with a flying, start was faster—l 27.36 m.p.h. This is the fastest authentic speed ever reached on a motor-cycle in any part of the world. The machine used by Captain Baldwin was an English built 1.000 c.e_ Zenith J.A.P. , ~ Three attempts were made; at the second, Baldwin got within l-~oth second of the existing world s record. By tightly binding the sleeves and lees of his overalls in order to reduce wind resistance, and also raising his saddle so that he could get his head Tower, the English crack at his third attempt achieved what has long been regarded as unattainable. . The times for the miles in opposite directions were 28.345ec. and 29.505ec. The record was electrically timed and the performance has been officially confirmed by the French authorities. The machine used was practically standard in every way.

BURNED RIGHT THROUGH An unusual accident was the' experience of a driver who was speeding along the southern road. One of his front wheel brakes was binding, and the friction set fire to the wooden wheel. The driver knew nothing ot the trouble waiting for him until his axle hit the ground. Then, he thought he had lost a wheel, but discovered the wreckage of the charred spokes and tyre beneath the car.