The Need for Speed

In October 1911, fifty or so members of the Otago Motor Cycle Club conducted a ‘reliability trial’ on a trip from Dunedin to Timaru.  On their arrival at the halfway point in Oamaru one participant described the journey as “a greater test of the man than of the bike.” The Oamaru Mail noted that “the speaker’s appearance eloquently supported his words”.  The weather was reportedly good, so on this occasion the motorcyclist may have been coated with dust rather than with mud. 

A reliability trial was not a race - riders were expected to maintain a steady speed of twenty miles per hour.  Points were deducted for every occasion on which they were ‘forced to make use of their tools.” Punctures and breakdowns were accepted as inevitable consequences of any lengthy journey over very poor roads; to win a reliability trial in 1912, a man simply needed to ride the sturdiest, most mechanically reliable machine.

         A group of motorcyclists about to embark on a reliability trial, Marton, 1912                                                               

In addition to reliability trials, motorcyclists also conducted hill climbs and petrol consumption tests.  Road races however were uncommon – Otago roads were gravelled and pitted with potholes, bogs and ruts.  In an era when motoring on four wheels was considered to be adventurous, motoring on two wheels was believed to be courageous.  Transportation by Cobb and Co. coach could still be had, for the most part those who wished to travel rapidly, comfortably and safely took the train.                                                                                                                                                   In 1912 a new club – the Otago Motor Association was formed.  With a shared desire “to see motoring moving ahead with the times” the newly formed Association was open to any gentleman who owned a motor powered vehicle.  The club’s executive briefly considered opening membership to individuals who owned motor powered boats however there were certainly no boats present on the club’s opening  ‘run’ to Evansdale Glen.  A picnic was held, happy speeches were made but “unfortunately rain fell on the home journey and a strong headwind somewhat marred the pleasure of those who had attended.”                                                                                                                                                                      

Representing “practically all the motorists in Otago” the Otago Motor Association quickly became a powerful lobby group.  Within weeks the Association petitioned the Taieri County Council to open the Brighton road, which had been closed to motor traffic until such time as “people and horses could become used to automobiles.”  The association argued that “motoring had come to stay” and that if reasonable care was exercised there should be no risk to people or vehicles.  In reply, the council asserted that certain sections of the road were dangerous and not suitable for motor traffic.  It suggested that if motorists wished to travel to Brighton they should contribute towards the cost of the road’s repair.  This situation became increasingly common.  A generous donation by the Motoring Association towards the cost of road upkeep and improvements usually settled the matter.                                                                                                     

Give a competitive young man an expensive motor vehicle and he will quite likely acquire a ‘need for speed.’  Many of the Motor Association’s members wished to test their vehicles capabilities and until such time as the Association could persuade local councils to provide suitable roadways, races were held on the only relatively lengthy, flat surfaces that were available – local beaches.   

In 1912, ten competitors raced on Waikouaiti beach in an attempt to better the standing flying mile record of 65 seconds.  All participants raced in a southerly direction with a moderate breeze, a suitable tide and beach conditions that were described as “splendid.” Reaching a creditable speed of 60 mph, F. Curline (riding a 2 ½ horse power Singer) took out the prize for the under 350cc class, while in the division for cycles powered up to 500cc F. Thomas (on his 3 ½ horse power King Dick) reached the staggering speed of nearly seventy mph.

The Waikouaiti County Council almost certainly didn’t welcome beach racing – but may have been powerless to stop it.  As early as 1907 the Council had taken steps “to abate the nuisance of reckless and furious driving, which is considerably more dangerous to residents that to drivers.”  They enacted a bylaw that restricted speed to six miles per hour in places that were considered to be dangerous.  These ‘dangerous places’ were identified by the presence of a red ‘danger disc.’ The responsibility of identifying dangers and placing discs fell to members of the Otago Motor Association – unsurprisingly, no discs were placed on beaches.                                                                                                  

In 1912 motor vehicles were no longer an unfamiliar sight and laws had been enacted to encourage safe driving; nevertheless the Waikouaiti Council attempted to restrict motorists’ activities – it prohibited motor cars from using the Port Chalmers to Blueskin road. The road closure was deemed unlawful and the road reopened however that did not mean that this road (like most others) was suited for vehicular access.                                                           When the Waikouaiti Council would not (or could not) take action to repair the Mt Cargill road, members of the Motor Association took matters into their own hands. A working bee “for the purpose of filling in some of the pot-holes on the main north road” was organised.  Their efforts were not well received.  A Councillor described the event as “children playing with toy spades” and made references to an elaborate luncheon that was held at the hilltop - implying that more time was spent enjoying the view than wielding a shovel.                                                                                                                                                    Eventually the opinions of the Motor Association were vindicated.  An independent report described the Main North Road as being one of Otago’s worst – enormous sums were required for repair and maintenance.  The cash strapped Waikouaiti Council attributed road damage to motorists “lust for speed” but refused to take responsibility for prosecuting these “scorchers.”  Councils argued that they could not “pay men to be in wait on the roads and trap motorists.”   It was hoped that speed limits might constrain road damage while large fines for dangerous driving were arbitrarily applied in order to deter speedsters.  There was no suggestion that limiting speed might protect motorists as well as road surfaces. 

Main Street Waikouaiti “bumps projecting four or five inches above the road level.”

                                                                          

Enthusiasm for beach racing was dimmed only by the onset of the First World War. Enjoyable competition was considered to be inappropriate during war time and so the Otago Motor Club Committee rather cleverly combined diversion with duty.  Members’ cars were used to transport wounded soldiers and in 1916 a monster club day was held on Warrington beach with the purpose of giving “wounded soldiers a run.” Entrance money of 4£ 8S was gathered and donated a “patriotic fund” - the ANZAC club.  The outing was greatly appreciated, the wounded soldiers reporting that “it was the most enjoyable day they had had since landing in New Zealand.” Additional fundraising amassed hundreds of pounds towards the purchase of cycles and ambulances for the expeditionary forces (motor powered of course).                                                                                                                                                       Organised beach racing continued and became a popular spectator event.  In March 1926 an estimated two thousand people attended a race meeting that was held on Waikouaiti beach.  A young Waikouaiti resident named Bertie Earley was very likely present.  In October 1927 twenty one year old Bertie and two friends road to Waikouaiti beach in order to ‘try their cycles” in preparation for a race.  An experienced rider, Bertie accelerated away from his companions reaching a speed of 40mph while still in second gear.  His friends were able to give a full report of the accident to the coroner.  Bertie’s machine developed a wheel ‘wobble,’ the front tyre was torn off and the cycle somersaulted.  Bertie was thrown clear but landed on his head two or three yards away.  Despite being tended to by a local doctor Bertie died of a fractured skull and dislocated spine.  The coroner, Mr H. W Bundle returned a verdict of accidental death and commented that “if anyone indulges in racing at high speed, there is always an element of danger.” 

A helmet might not have saved him; Bertie’s death was attributed to a tyre defect and quickly forgotten, while beach racing continued.  Race surfaces have changed but ideas haven’t; nearly ninety years later, young men still associate excessive speed with danger rather than with death.