OUTBOARD CHALLENGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 507, 9 November 1928, Page 13

OUTBOARD CHALLENGE

COMPARISON OF ENGINES VIEWS OF ENTHUSIAST The outboard motor-boat challenge race fer a stake of .£SO, which is shortly to take place on the Waitemata Harbour, has aroused considerable interest among speed-boat men. •Enthusiast” writes to The Sun as follows: As a keen follower of the results of outboard motor racing, both here and in America, I am very interested to see that the challenge issued by Mr. A. Townsend to race his boat Alias Arawa against Mr. L. Stericker’s boat Hum Bug has been accepted. The forthcoming event should prove very interesting to all followers of this sport, particularly on account of the difference in power of the motors used. It is rather surprisir $ to note that the correct comparison of the horsepowers was not given in Mr. Sterick«*r’s acceptance of the challenge, and it will undoubtedly bo of interest to have the actual comparison. “Miss Arawa” will be powered by an Evirrrude “Speeditwin,” which is a twin-cylinder 8 h.p. engine, which develops 16 h.p. at 4,000 revolutions a minute. The piston displacement is -9.2 cubic inches, and this motor is rated as a class “C” racing engine. "Hum Bug” will be powered by an Elto Quad, which is a four-cylinder engine of 18 h.p. The power developed by this motor at 4,000 r.p.m. is not published, but there is no doubt that it is m the vicinity of 25 h.p. The piston displacement is 39.2 cubic inches, and the motor is a “D” class racing engine. The above figures are sufficient to B how the difference in size of the two engines, and it is only fair that the correct comparison should be stated in fairness to both competitors. Invited to comment upon the letter, Mr. Stericker says the two engines are powered at virtually the same ratmg. Quoting from the latest “Evinrude” catalogue, he says that the ‘Speedtwin” is not an S-h.p. engine, but is listed at 16-h.p. at 4.000 revolutions. The makers claim speeds from six to 40 miles an hour. This motor has established a recent record 0t *f8.46 miles an hour. Mr. Stericker says his engine is not a -a-h.p. at 4,000 revolutions. -