The Monte Carlo Rally.
The Monte Carlo Rally.
MEMBERS of the Riley Motor Club are making a determined bid for the Monte Carlo Rally next January. Their entry comprises five 9 h.p. cars, and in addition there will be three Australian women drivers of similar models. At the present time these ladies are engaged in driving their cars from Australia to Europe.
The English contingent has selected starting places as widely removed as John o’ Groats, Stavanger (Norway), Umea (Sweden) and Athens. Major and Mrs. Montague Johnston, who upheld British prestige in the German 10,000 kilometre trial, will be starting from John o’Groats, as will Mrs. C. S. Staniland, Wife of the famous airman. Mr. Jack Hobbs has selected Stavanger as his starting point, whilst Mr. V. E. Leverett has chosen Umea. This is the most northerly point from which anyone has yet started, for it is 327 kilometres North East of Sundsvall, a popular start
ing place in the past, and little over 100 miles from the Arctic circle. Mr. Leverett won the light car class in the Rally last year.
probably the most ambitious effort is that of Mr. Rupert Riley, who will try to reach Monte Carlo from Athens with a 9 h.p. Overseas tourer. This route is the longest of any of those permissible3,786 kilometres as against 3,751 kilometres from Umea, the second longest. Several competitors have tried to get through from Athens in past years, but no one has yet done so in the required time.
If Mr. Riley is successful he stands the best chance of winning of anyone in the event. In win’ ter time, however, the South European roads are entirely neglected, and if the season is wet, bridges and whole sections of the track are washed away by floods. If cold weather prevails, on the other hand, the heights of the snowcovered Dragoman pass, just north of Salonika, are almost impassable.
The New Alvis.
ONE of the most interesting new sports models of this year is the latest 19-82 Alvis, Introduced since the Show, it should fmd a ready demand. Although all the main features are already well tried and known, the layout of the chassis is a departure from normal Alvis practice. It is extremely low built, the frame being dropped from both ends giving a very low body line and seating position. The engine is based on the well known 3-carburettor sports job which has given such good performance in the Silver Eagle models. The six cylinder engine is in a unit with the gear box, and central change is employed. Coil-ignition and larger brake drums are other features.
It is hoped that this model will be in full production shortly, and fuller particulars can be obtained from the makers or from Charles Follett Ltd., of 18, Berkeley Street, the London distributors.