“Wizard” Smith Ready For First Trial Run

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 867, 10 January 1930, Page 1

“Wizard” Smith Ready For First Trial Run

TEST THIS AFTERNOON MANY VISITORS AT KAITAIA ( St' .V Special Representative) KAITAIA, Today. The presence of Norman "Wizard” Gmith with his racing car, “Anzac,” in which he is to attempt to break the New Zealand and Australian one mile and the world ten-mile records, has changed the quiet and peaceful settlement at Kaitaia into a scene of activity. Hotels are booked to capacity, and many private people, with the usual hospitality of the Far North, have taken in numbers of visitors who would otherwise be stranded. The international importance of the event has well been realised. Several Cabinet Ministers are due here tomorrow, and in spite of the unsettled weather, visitors from all parts of the Dominion are arriving. Two wellknown Sydney business personalities, Messrs. E. C. Swadling and L. Villiers, are making a special trip from Australia to see the “Anzac” in its attempt at record breaking. As yet “Wizard” Smith can announce no definite date for the attempts, but they are expected to be made in the next day or two. Several inspections of the beach have been made since the party’s arrival last Sundas r , and reports on each occasion have been most favourable. Patches of shell along the track are not expected to cut the tyres. Smith is taking little notice of the shallow streams of seepage water, which, he considers he can race through without any trouble.

Last evening the county engineer and a Government surveyor, who have been camping on the beach for the purpose of measuring a track, returned here. They have made exacting measurements and surveys of a 16-mile track near Maunganui Bluff, more than 40 miles from the township. This is considered to be the most suitable stretch of the beach, and everything there is reported to be in order for the big day. A number of Auckland Automobile Association officials arrived here last evening. They are to undertake the timekeeping, assisted by representatives of various racing and trotting clubs throughout the district, who enthusiastically offered their services. Since its arrival, the “Anzac” has been in a garage here. Little work has been done upon it excepting the testing of all wheels and tyres. This was carried out by Mr. Don Harkness. The car will be transported to the beach today, when “tuning” operations will commence. This afternoon “Wizard” Smith will make his first trial run.