THE FUTURE OF COMPETITIONS

THE decision of the motor cycle manufacturers’ Union to support only twelve open trials in 1930, and to cut out almost entirely their support of Brooklands and sand racing, is a nasty thorn in the flesh of the competition world. The objects are apparently twofold :—(1) to reduce expenses, and (2) to increase the importance and publicity value of the remaining supported events.

The wisdom of the step can only be proved or disproved by time. Certain facts and tendencies, however, can already be noted, and it is not difficult to hazard a guess at the probable results. First, of course, it is inevitable that the ” unsupported ” events should suffer a serious loss of entries. It is not too much to say that some clubs’ very existence will be imperilled, while all will be going through a very trying time until matters have adjusted themselves. It is obviously undesirable that an industry should have to subsidise the public’s interest in its products. That has been the case with motor cycles for many

years, and now the manufacturers are trying to put a stop to it. It is a moot point whether it is possible to abruptly discontinue the payment of bonus, without affecting the motor cycling public’s enthusiasm for the various forms of sport ; or whether bonus must not be endured as a necessary evil.

In other branches of industry, advertising very often forms an unpleasantly large item in the expenses. The supporting of motor cycling competitions may be regarded not only as advertising, but as a means of testing out both new and existing designs, of finding faults, and making improvements in design. It would be idle to suggest that motor cycles are yet perfect, and that being so, the public at least will always welcome any tests that foster progress.

Twofold Value.