Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-18

An article in a recent number of the Scientific American lays down this axiom: ''rThe performance of the mo tor of any gasoline driven vehicle de- bends upon the maintenance of the compression, and the efficiency of the motor depends to a considerable de- gree upon keeping this at maximum point.
 The agency most depended upon to effect this necessary compression is the piston ring. A set of these rings encircle each piston head for the pur- pose of securing that closeness of con- tact within the cylinder which it is impossible for the piston head itself to obtain without creating such friction as to lose most of the power commu nicated to it.
 Perfect mechanical fit therefore, is the primary requisite of proper piston ring SerVice-Such delicate adjustment of contact as to make radical pressure equal throughout it's whole circumfer- ence and furnish no opportunity for compression to leak past, yet, at the same time, to do this without setting up friction or causing wear.
 With such qualifications as these considered as essential to efficient per formance, the owner will find ample justification for blaming his piston rings for any fuel waste and cylinder wear if they turn out to be of the one-pice type most in use.
 Because of fundamental faults in the design of the one-piece ring it is impossible for it to prove efficient. It is not gaS-tght because it possesses open expansion vents and it's pressure against the cylinder is unequally dis tributed. It quickly loses it's spring cylinder. It allows surplus oil to work up into the combustion chamber to the detriment of both the motor and it's operation.
 Careful owners who believe in econ omy of fuel and want long service from their motors will find the piston rings worthy of close attention.
 A supersweepstakes, the continuation of all 500 miles races to date, is now being contemplated by the Indian apolis moto rspeedway management, the length of the contest6to be a thou sand miles, and the purse one hun dred thousand dollars.
 Originator of the plan is A. c. New by, a director of the speedway, whose idea it is to stage a contest such as has never been seen in the world be- fore.
 The race is to be invitational, entry being limited to makes of cars hay ing won previous 800 mile contests. To date four such makes are eligible, contest has been run. Entering probably five cars each, this would make a field of twenty-five machines, the absolute cream of the racing world, with the pick of racing drivers. A qualifying speed of 90 m. D. h. for twenty laps of the speedway is to be necessary, and the race is to start at 6 a. m. Drivers are to take tricks during the contest of 250 miles each, two drivers to a car. If the race goes through, it will easily be the greatest ever run. say racing experts informed of the plan.
 The secret of Darius Resta's bril- liant driving in the recent Vanderbilt anF Grand Prize races at an Fran cisco, both of which he won, handily, is out. It involves the continuation of as pretty a romance as ever em- braced two continents.
 The average owner of motor trucks does not realize that consistent care of the vehicle is a vital point in the economy of their use. Truck manu- lecturers are constantly reminding