South African records-Austin makes a "bag".

The ” Baby ” Austin has added a page to the history of light car racing in South Africa by establishing an amazing series of records at the Clairwood Speedway, Durban. Driven by E. H. M’Crystal, the tiny car purred contentedly round the flat unbanked speedway mile after mile, piling up a mileage little short of amazing for so small a vehicle. When the gun went at the end of the hour the car had actually covered 47 miles, 1,289 yards, which is a South African record for classes 750 and 1,000 c.c. The fastest time was recorded on the 27th lap, when the circuit was completed in 1 min. 12 ⅗ sec.—another record for the little car. The first five miles were covered in 6 min. 16 ⅘ sec., completing the bag of records for the day. The record run was observed by officials of the Motor Cycle Union of South Africa. The car was a standard model in every respect with only hood and wings removed.

Those who are accustomed to study Brooklands figures, where fast times are recorded by racing cars on a banked track, may think the above times somewhat unexciting, but motorists who know anything about high speed work on gravel, and the difficulties associated with the small flat circuit, will recognise that Mr. M’Crystal’s latest performance marks him out as a driver of more than ordinary skill.

It is not very long since the same enthusiast knocked thirty-two minutes off the Durban-Johannesburg record with an Austin Seven.