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.
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.
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.”
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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.
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