Sir William Morris's Generosity.

Sir William Morris’s Generosity.

Since the announcement of the J.C.C.’s new 250 miles race to be held at Brooklands on May 6th next, the race has been the subject of such whole-hearted approval among racing drivers as to ensure its success.

Now the popularity of the event been sealed by the generosity of William Morris, who for the first time is giving his personal support to racing by offering a cash prize of £500.

” The object of the prize is to encourage private owners of cars to compete in races,” said Mr. Cecil Kimber, Managing Director of the M.G. Car Company.

” Sir William is at present on his way to South America, but before he left he authorised me to announce the prize. He is opposed to motor manufacturers building cars with racing as the main objective but, as he emphasised recently, he is in favour of motor racing as such for he realises how much Britain has benefited by it.”

Mr. L. F. Dyer, Secretary of-the Junior Car Club, organisers of the race, said : “Racing is rather expensive for private owners and Sir William’s generosity will certainly attract many who do not mind risking the expense if they have a chance of getting some of it back. “Sir William’s sporting gesture will be welcomed by all motorists and will

a new impetus for racing in this country which will enhance the prestige of British cars.”

Speed Limits-an Explanation.

Enquiries received by The Automobile Association show that there is still a good deal of uncertainty regarding speed limits affecting private cars and motorcycles.

The general speed limit of 20 m.p.h. was of course abolished by the Road Traffic Act of 1930, and under the same Act all local speed restrictions imposed under the Acts of 1896 and 1903 by the Local Government Board in England and Wales, or by the Secretary for Scotland ceased to be effective in December, 1930.

Again similar restrictions made by the Minister of Transport under the Locomotives on Highways Act of 1896, the Motor Car Act of 1903 or the Roads Act 1920 expired on November 30th, 1931, unless specially extended by an order of the Minister. The A.A. points out that although practically all such limits have been abolished, the provisions of the Road Traffic Act do not affect the restrictions in Royal or other parks, whilst in some seaside towns speed limits are still operative where imposed under local legislation. Again, roads situated on War Department land are sometimes subject to special restrictions, although such roads

may be open to the public. A notable example is the 20 mile restriction in force in Queen’s Avenue, Aldershot ; this was imposed by a bye-law under the Military Lands Act, and is strictly enforced.

A revised edition of the Association’s leaflet giving details of all existing speed restrictions is now in course of preparation, and will shortly be available gratis to members on application.

Winter Motoring Hints. not realised how

It is not always fully realised how much correct lubrication, both of engine and chassis, can mitigate the trials of winter motoring. Here are a few hints given by the Castrol people. For easy starting a good quality oil is essential, not only for saving one’s battery, but for circulating freely and doing its job properly as soon as the engine is started. But good quality is not everything, for the suitable grade for the engine must be used. Constant use of the strangler has the effect of diluting the oil, no matter how good the quality of the latter may be, and complete change of oil is to be recommended. Finally, the exposed parts of the chassis have much to contend with in the way of mud and rain during the winter, and a liberal use of penetrating oil, such as that marketed by Wakefield, on springs-leaves and body joints will avoid rusting and corrosion.

Another 1,000 Miles Race.

The success of the Italian 1,000 Miles Race has encouraged the Automobile Club of Czechoslovakia to plan a similar event on the 10th and 11th of June next. The new race will be a copy of the famous Italian event in many respects, but instead of a single lap of 1,000 miles, there will be a smaller lap of 250 miles round the triangle formed by the cities of Prague, Brno and Bratislava, which will be covered four times.

Only production sports cars will be eligible, and the race will be divided into the following categories : 750 c.c., 1,100 c.c., 1,500 c.c., 2,000 c.c. and wolimited.

Entries can be sent in until May 4th to the A.C.C., 2 Lutzovava, Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Long distance Records at 3 Montlhery.

The autodrome of Linas-Montlhery hasinow become the most popular

record breaking ground in the world, especially for long distance figures, where a smooth surface and absence of silencing and night driving restrictions are imperative. Two ambitious attempts are planned to begin during March, both with Citroen cars. First, Albert Guyot intends to begin an assault on long distance records up to 200,000 kilometres with a 20 h.p. Citroen on March 5th. The object of the run will be to prove the qualities of Speedoline Oil. Later in the month another Citri5en will

take the track, this time a 10 h.p. model, the driver being Cesar Marchand, who will make the attertipt on behalf of the firm of Yacco.

Bugatti Plans Proceeding.

Although shrouded as usual in a welter of rumours, reports and alarms, the Bugatti plans for the season are progressing favourably. Williams, who is a member of the official team, has arrived at Molsheim, and is assisting in the preparation of the team of cars.

A Change of Name.

One of the most promising French drivers last year was Benoit, who drove a Bugatti in most of the French races, and was the winner of the Grand Prix of Nimes. It appears, however, that Benoit is only his Christian name, and in future he has decided to inscribe his full name on the entry lists of races, Benoit Falchetto.

Zanelli’s Plans.

Juan Zanelli will be remembered by British motorists as the winner of the racing class of the Mountain Championship of Europe in 1931, at the wheel of a Nacional Pescara, competing at Shelsley Walsh that year. In 1932 Zanelli did not take a very active part in racing, but this season it is rumoured he will drive the Alfa Romeo owned by Raymond Sommer, and will make his first appearance in the Grand Prix of Tunis on March 26th.

The Targa Florio.

The regulations for the Targa Florio, which will be run on May 14th, have now been issued. Owing to the new classification of Italian drivers (as announced in MOTOR SPORT last month) certain alterations have been necessary. The course used will be the new Madonie circuit of 72 kilometres, and the “experts “will have to cover 7 laps, a distance of 504 kilometres. They will compete for prize money totalling 110,000 lires. The ” first-class ” drivers will only have to traverse 5 laps, or 360 kilometres, but if they are still going strong at that distance they can complete the fa .7 laps of the ” experts ” and will be classified in that category. Finally, the “amateurs ” will be set the task of covering 3 laps, or 216 km., for whom prize money of 20,000 lires has been subscribed.

The Targa Florio still retains its prestige of the most difficult and coveted race on the calendar.

The Grand Prix of Tunis.

The fifth Grand Prix of Tunis will be run over the permanent circuit of Carthage on March 26th, which measures 12 km. 714 m. The distance of the race will be 37 laps, or 470 km. 418 m., and all cars of any weight or engine size will be eligible. Prize money amounting to 93,000 francs has been offered, divided as follows, first 40,000 francs, second 25,000 francs, third 15,000 francs, fourth 8,000 francs, fifth 5,000 francs.

Bugattis at Le Mans.

As forecast in MOTOR SPORT last month, the two unspecified cars entered by Guy Bouriat for Le Mans will be 4,900 c.c. Bugattis. The drivers have not yet been decided.

Entries have now closed, there being 37 in all. 7 of these will compete for the final of the 9th Biennial Cup, and 30 will decide the eliminating race for the 10th Biennial Cup. An interesting car will be driven by Roger Labric, namely a 3i litre Lorraine, unblown, of the type which proved so successful in 1925 and 1926. A late entry was the 4i litre Bentley which had a short run last year in the hands of jean Trevoux, but overturned.

Wimille and Friederich.

In the February issue Or MOTOR SPORT we annotmced that the brilliant young French driver, J. P. Wimille, had joined the racing stable of Friederich, at Nice. Apparently the arrangement had not been finally clinched, for in the Parisian newspaper” L’Auto “there appears a denial by Friederich of his connection with Wimille. The latter’s return to driving a Bugatti (the make he forsook last year for Alfa Romeo) seems doubtful, and his entry in the Grand Prix of Pau with an Alfa-Romeo appears to be an indication of the make he will drive throughout the year.

Convalescent.

Henri Brisson, the French driver of Stutz cars for many years, has been seriously ill, but is now on his way to recovery.

Chiron changes his mind.

To Frenchmen, at least, there was something almost heretical in the idea of their own champion, Louis Chiron, driving an Alfa-Romeo next season. But so it was stated, until last month, when Chiron set everyone agog once more by announcing that he didn’t think the 2.3 Alfa Romeo was fast enough, so that he had decided to revert to his old love, a 2.3 double-camshaft Bugatti, whichis now being prepared for him in Paris.