The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser
Wednesday 22 January 1908
Messrs. Harry James and C. B. Kellow. two of j Australia's most prominent motorists, arrived by car at the G.P.O., Sydney, at 4.10 a.m. on Friday from Melbourne. They covered the 572 miles between the Victorian and New South Wales capitals in the remarkable time of 25 hours 40 minutes. The motorists, who were mounted on a 1908 Talbot car, started on their long journey at 2.30 o'clock on Thursday morning, accompanied by a press representative. Their object was to cover the distance between the two cities in 24 hours. Though the Victorian enthusiasts did not succeed in their marvellous task, this performance is nothing short of wonderful. Indeed, very few motorists believed it was possible to cover such a long and difficult run in the time. For outside the fact that the roads in many cases consisted of mere bush tracks, the undulating nature of the course, the many winding and sharp turns, the prevalence of culverts, and the possibility that wrong calculation might be responsible for the motor dashing over one of the many precipitous byways en route were against the intrepid and experienced drivers doing anything like a big performance. The drive over the Melbourne Sydney road in broad daylight at a speed such as has been put up is a difficult matter at any time, even to the most skilful motorists; but to do almost a third of the journey in semi-darkness, with the course by no means clearly defined, was most praiseworthy. I When Goulburn was reached on Thursday at 8.55 p.m. the motorists were well within their time. Up to that stage they had covered 443 miles in 18 hours 35 minutes, and they had 5 hours 35 minutes in which to negotiate the remaining 129 miles. Fortune, however, did not smile upon the sportsmen, as. besides losing an hour or more at railway crossings, which were found to be shut, a wrong turn was taken after leaving Camden, which necessitated another serious delay. Messrs. KelJow and James had several exciting experiences en route. At one railway crossing they very nearly got run over by a train. It chanced that the, motorists had just reached a railway crossing as the train was fast approaching. Eager to get along as quickly as possible, the man in charge of the gate was persuaded that the motor car would be got through long before the express could draw near. The gates were consequently opened, and the motor car started but, alas, in the hurry-burry the engine stopped, and the vehicle remained stuck on the rails. Instantly the motorists were on the ground, but there was not a second to lose. To start the engine meant disaster, as the train was only a few hundred yards off. Their only chance lay in their succeeding in pushing the motor forward. This was adopted, and. with all hands at work, the car was Just got off as the train dashed past. Interviewed after the trip, Mr. James said that, though the run was a severe one, he enjoyed it. Every one seemed to take the greatest interest in us, he remarked, even the police. It is surprising, added Mr Kellow how the noble force seemed to be completely fascinated by the petrol-propelled automobile. Some of them en route insisted on our stopping, thinking, no doubt, that our long run had tired us a lot. Several were most solicitous as to our welfare, and wanted to know our names, where we came from, and even went so far as to ask us to see their sergeants. Unfortunately, however, much as we should have liked to do so, we had little time in which to gratify the enthusiasts, who were extraordinarily anxious to learn everything about ourselves and our vehicle. At other places some of the policemen took such an interest In us that, we really felt sorry we could not stop to converse with them, and tell all about everything- However, we were glad to see that they took our photographs and timed our car as it went through, which must have compensated them to some extent. The motorists, perfectly satisfied with the record Just established, do not intend at present to try to better it. They are quite of the opinion that it will be a long time before anyone will improve on their performance The remarkable run just accomplished will probably remain unbeaten for many years to come. It is a powerful testimony to the excellence of the modern motor car. As a reliable and speedy, powerful, and easily-controlled vehicle, and one that can stand exceptional abuse, the petrol motor car has, as the run testifies proved itself to be an ideal form of locomotion.
Kellow Motors
|