ON TWO WHEELS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 716, 16 July 1929, Page 6

ON TWO WHEELS

NEWS AND NOTES ’ DIRT TRACK RACING i. ~ Already rivalry has appeared j between the two bodies interested in j the sport of dirt track racing in Auek- | land. | The Auckland Speedways. Ltd., the j purely Auckland concern which has ; ! the lease of the new stadium at Western Springs for next summer, is aski ing the riders who are being trained 1 i to sign an agreement, part of which j | is framed specially against the rival j body. ! The other organisation is aiming at I the establishment of a chain of dirt ! tracks throughout the country which | will be sufficient to tempt crack riders I from overseas to come to New Zealand. They propose building a track at Western Springs. The Auckland agreement referred to provides for training in dirt track work under the supervision of the company, decisions in the case of disputes, acceptance of riding risks, and so on. Two clauses read: (1) “The rider agrees and undertakes that he will not, until March 31, 1931, compete at any other motor-cycle race held or organised by any other person, firm, or company in New Zealand, so long as the company is holding meetings at Western Springs, without the written consent of the company having been obtained, but this restraint shall not apply to any grass track meeting held in the day time.” (2) “The rider shall not be a member of any other association or society unless It is affiliated with the N.Z.A.C.U.” Motor-cyclists are divided on the question. Some hold that Auckland Speedways, being first in the field, should be entitled to protect themselves, whereas others want freedom to compete elsewhere in New Zealand. Quite a number are of the opinion that the prohibition should apply only to Auckland, so that riders are free to compete wherever they wish, while at the same time guaranteeing the Auckland company returns for their money. • RECORDS IN SOUTH AFRICA The annual motor-cycle race between Durban and Johannesburg was a triumph for the A.J.S. machines this year. They secured prizes for fastest time, for the most meritorious performance, fastest time for 350 c.c. class, also third, fourth, fifth and sixth places. The sixth South African Tourist Trophy races, held on the famous 20mile circuit of the Kragga Kama course, outside Port Elizabeth, attracted the cream of the racing talent of the country. The weather op both days was perfect, and thousands of spectators thronged the vantage points of the course. The 175 c.c. race (140 miles) drew an entry of 12, but at the finish three James machines held the places cf honour. The winner, J. Unwin, averaged 48.4 m.p.h.. which is an exceptional performance for a small machine. Results: T. J. Unwin (172 James), 1; C. W. Scott (172 James), 2; G. Kannemeyer (172 James), 3.

BRIGHTER CARS INFLUENCE OF WOMEN The influence of women is undoubtedly making itself felt even in the motoring world (says an English writer). The brighter body colours and dainty interior appointments all show that manufacturers are realising I the influence that women have in f choice of a car. It is an interesting and perhaps illuminating fact that a woman generally chooses a brightly hued car and pays more attention to the interior than a man would. This is an age of colour, and drablooking motor-cars seem almost as much out of place on the road as oldfashioned regulation bathing costumes look on the beach. An important factor is the feminine element, which is so prominent in everything connected with motor-cars today. One of the reasons why the fabric body hailed to tind favour at first was the use of drab-coloured material, which contrasted unfavourably with the prevailing vogue for highly-polished pai’ # * and varnish. The modern fabric material is quite as decorative as paint- ' work. Not a little of the success of certain American cars is directly attributable to the free choice in colour schemes which is given to purchasers. BABY CAR A NOVELTY

AMERICANS ARE FASCINATED The interest created by a real English baby car in America is humourously told by Miss de Haviland who is engaged in a world tour and passed through New Zealand recently. “Los Angeles covers an area of over 100 square miles, and as we had to j drive through this most lovely city to j reach Hollywood, it took a fair time to j And the way. The traffic is speedy, , and there is a great deal of it. and : there are constant hold-ups—the drivers are very chatty and whilst wo wailed for the green light to go up. t hey i< an| acros - and conversed -It me—‘You haven't come all the way from New York in that little toy!’ “And—‘Say, Miss, will you trade in that car. I’ll give you more than you gave for it.’ “And a girl driver —Gee, what a i cute little car, ain’t it just dandy?’ ! “And a small boy—‘Say, Miss, do ' attendant said. ‘Sure, we’ll put it in with the dishes."

FAST TRIP AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON A fast trip from Auckland to Well, mg ton by motor was made by Mr. V. F. Webley, of Wellington, a few weeks ago. Mr. Webley left Auckland at 2.10 p.m., driving a five-seater motor-car and accompanied by Mr. H. Sunderland, of Wellington. Mr. Webley, who drove throughout the trip, made his first stop at Te Kuiti, which was reached at 7 p.m. Leaving Te Kuiti, they drove through Mokau to New Plymouth, arriving there at 13 p.m. Tea was taken at Te Kuiti. They left New Plymouth and reached Wanganui at 3 a.m. The journey from Wanganui to Wellington, via Foxton, was exciting owing to the floods around Foxton, in which vicinity the road was submerged for a distance of it bout two miles. The only method the driver had of keeping the course was by watching the white posts erected on the side of the reading, showing the depth of the flood wilier. Tie flooded area was pissed about a.m. in the dark. Wellington was r ached at 7.30 a.m.. and the passengers and the car were very little t be worse for the trip Mr. Webley, in con ■. nation with a Wellington “Post” rep rter, said the condition of the roads was splendid. The journey v.-»>s made wit hurt the slightest trouble, mechanical or otherwise. The time taken far approxrm- ' ? v over 17 hours, being an average of about 34 miles an hour. MOTORING IN EUROPE POPULAR WITH AMERICANS It is estimated that more Ilian 50,000,000 dollars will be spent in European countries this year by at least 7,000 American motoring tourists who will take their oars abroad to travel. The Foreign Travel Division of tho •.merican Automobile Association further states that those who take their cars abroad will comprise but a small portion of the American tourists who will tour Europe in motor-cars. To meet this influx of guests and afford them every convenience, overseas customs are making every attempt to simplify customs and regulations. Steamship companies have made special arrangements for the accommodation of cars. Several new ships will be placed in operation this year, which have been designed to car-y a maximum number of passengers’ private cars. As American driving licences are not accepted in all the -onntries of Europe, an international travelling pass which is a general licence for car and driver is issued.