WITH THE OUTBOARDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 906, 25 February 1930, Page 14

WITH THE OUTBOARDS

The outboard division of the New Zealand Power-Boat Association will c ontinue its busy season on Saturday with a series of races at Rangiriri in conjunction with the local regatta. Four events, two for B class engined craft and two for C and D classes c ombined will be controlled by the division.

A number of Auckland boats will make the trip. They include Mr. S. J. Blackmore’s Miss Hamilton, Mr. E. Butler’s Blue Streak, Mr. F. Pidgeon’s Silvertown Kid, Miss Marquette or Marquette Pug, owned by Mr. F. Neale, will probably make the journey. Mr. Dickson is expected to be taking his Miss Tamaki. Mr. S. Ford is also a likely starter in his fast boat Ocean Mule. He ought to do well on the calm of the river. Chancit. a wellknown performer here, is also said to be going. The prizes for each race are trophies valued at £4, £2 and £l. Some excellent racing should be seen, particularly if Miss Marquette and Silvertown Kid are matched. These two boats were the star attraction at Panmure on Saturday and raced neck and neck, to the delight of the spectators. Mr. Pidgeon, however, carried off both events.

The next racing here will take place on the Whau River on March 8, when the D class championship will probably be run. On the following Saturday, March 15, which is being observed at St. Patrick’s Day, a number of boats will be going to the Ngaruawahia regatta. Already engine designers are turning their attention to the production of newer and more efficient types of motor for the coming season. Power will be slightly increased and an interesting feature is promised by the makers of three well-known engines, who intend fitting electric selfstarters to the new models. Engines are getting of such power these days that something of the sort is becoming a physical necessity. The latest speed record put up in the States was achieved recently by a driver named Ferguson, running one of Dr. Baughman’s fleet of Blue Streaks. The doctor has professional drivers who have won for him three out of five world records. Ferguson’s latest performance was clocked at 49.34 m p.h.