THE PROGRESS OF THE CURRENT SUBSIDY TRIALS.
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Our last reports of the running of the vehicles engaged in the current Subsidy Trials brought us up to the happenings of Monday of last week, the 4th inst. When mentioning what was then the proposed test of a paraffin carburetter on a 30 lep, Daimler in connection with these trials, we stated that the device in question was a " Rotax," whereas we should have written "Nota.x." We regret the misprint. On the Tuesday following, one of the customary circuits of London was repeated, and this was followed by a run to Sevenoaks and back via Star Hill.
Wednesday saw yet another uneventful day, so far as the principal entrants were concerned. The route was that known as "U," and was from Woolwich to Edenbridge and back. The only stop on the road to record was that of the R.C.W. machine, on which the accelerator pedal rod fell off. Unfortunately, too, the Maudslay was temporarily in trouble through getting " ditched."
The Daimler chassis fitted with a. Notax carburetter arrived on the Tuesday night, and started with n10 the other cars in the morning, showing plenty of blue smoke in the early stages. The machine had to be nursed up the stiff hills leading to Shooter's Hill from the barracks, and was stopped before Eltham was reached. However, they soon got going again, and then ran to the foot of the hill into Westerham, where they were stuck again, and where they remained some time, eventually taking the short and direct run to Edenbridge, instead of the climbs through Hartfield, Edenbridge and Crowborough. On this day Colonel Boyce and Captain Bates, together with Captains Davidson and Huthhinson, were much in evidence. For some days previous the Trials had been under the general supervision of Captain Hutchinson only.
Thursday, the 7th inst., saw the machines set out on route "V." Hills around Sevenoaks were taken, and the whole day was spent either climbing or descending them. Accelerometer tests of brakes were made, but no figures were made public. It is satisfactory to record that no delays occurred to the ears. On Friday routes " L " and "M " were taken,
L being a repetition of the circuit of London and " M " from Woolwich to the top of River Hill via Sidcup and Orpington, Star Hill being taken on the return. The Dennis vehicle had slight trouble in the morning with a choked petrol pipe and engine lubrication, and at the close of the day had to outlast its 45 minutes garage allowance in putting things right. A little excitement was caused at breakfase time by the R.C.W. machine, which got one front wheel down the inspection pit in the garage.
On the completion of Friday's run, magnetos had to be exchanged for the spare ones. The Leyland made the change in 5 mine. 35 secs., the Commercar in 9 nuns. 35 secs., and the Thornyeroft in 13 mins. The R.C.W. took just over 35 mine., and, as one of the spectators put it, " there was more trouble about
it than enough."Saturday the run was to -Wrotharn and retun via Gravesend. This was again quite uneventful. The Maudslay continued and did route " M " in the afternoon, and or Sunday route " T."
Last Monday route " "was again taken, although somewhat curtailed. Nevertheless, the main hills
were tackled. This particular day saw a good deal of passing and repassing on the road, but the Thornycroft and the Conunercar are easily the fastest two on the hills. From New Eltham to Woolwich there was quite a race to be observed. The Thornycroft, Leyland and Dennis were running practically abreast for a mile or more.
The Maudslay machine was cutting off corners on Monday, and so shortening the run. She ran back over her swags and had to be dug out on Crossley Towers Hill. The R.C.W. machine still brings up the rear everywhere, although, as mentioned before, she should be doing 18 instead of 16 on the flat.
On Monday last yet another paraffin carburetter was tried, and this was the Winchester—on a Leyland, but it has to be admitted that its performance was, on that day, only comparatively satisfactory. They ran out of paraffin at Knockholt and had to purchase petrol to run home on ! This particular vehicle on Monday climbed the stiffer hills with a ma-n walking behind spragging the wheels.
We hear excellent reports of this carburetter, as a matter of fact, from other sources, as we go to press, and we have little doubt that it will give a good account of itself before the Subsidy Trials are completed.