An Alcohol Motor Race
Leinster Leader, Saturday 1 August 1903 -Page
6.
AN ALCOHOL MOTOR RACE.
AN "IMMENSE INDUSTRY."
IMPORTANT SUGGESTION.
A very interesting suggestion has just been made by the "Motor
News" to the effect that an international race for alcohol
driven motor cars be held in Ireland, next year. A plan is outlined
whereby each country would be represented by a team of three
racers, using home-made alcohol; but in the case of the English
team it is stipulated that the cars should use Irish alcohol.
Some important modifications are made which would tend to made
the race a test for cars which are of the fast touring rather
than the racing class, and would reduce the speed to a lower
maximum than that attained in the Gordon-Bennett race.
The great object of the race is to test the alcohol and the
cars of each country, and thus hasten the development of alcohol
as a fuel for motors. The matter is of
VITAL IMPORTANCE TO IRELAND
because if alcohol proves a satisfactory substitute for petrol
there is no reason why Ireland should not become a large producer
of the spirit for industrial purposes. From potatoes, beet,
and many other agricultural products of this country alcohol
can be obtained, and if all restrictions were removed, it could
be sold at a price which would enable it to compete with petrol.
The Oil Trust of America practically controls all the petrol
used in the United Kingdom, and lately they have exercised their
monopoly by increasing the price, and giving motorists petrol
of high density, averring that the low density or light spirit
cannot now be produced in sufficient quantities to meet the
demand. The American cars which competed in the Gordon-Bennett
race used some of the petrol sold in these countries, and both
Mr. Winton and Mr. Owen protest that it is much inferior to
the spirit commonly used in the States.
As time advances things seem to get worse and motoring becomes
more at the mercy of the oil kings. Recognising this, France
and Germany have long since carried out many experiments with
alcohol, and in most of the big races in France a few cars have
used either pure alcohol or a mixture of alcohol and petrol.
The results so far have not been wholly satisfactory, mainly
for the reason that motor manufacturers generally have not given
the matter the necessary attention. The problem of successfully
carburetting[sic] and consuming alcohol is by no means an easy
one, and much has yet to be done. But there is strong hope of
ultimate success, though it may be that alcohol will never give
such all-round satisfactory results as the best quality petrol.
It is evident, however, that the highest quality of petrol cannot
be had cheaply from this henceforth, and good alcohol can at
least be used to more advantage than bad petrol. Numerous laboratory
tests have been made, and opinions are divided on the relative
merits of the power producers; but, as in all other branches
of motoring, actual tests on the road will be far more valuable
and convincing, and from them improvement will spring.
When the alcohol motor has the attention of many inventive minds
directed to it, and when they are stimulated by competition
and the possibility of great gains, vast improvements should
be rapidly made, and the day may come when a fluid will be obtained
which may be superior to the best petrol.
AN IMMENSE INDUSTRY
might be built up in Ireland if alcohol were used largely for
industrial purposes; and as it lends itself to heating and lighting
as well as to power producing it can be turned to numberless
uses. In Germany at present alcohol is used in many engines;
it is used in connection with incandescent burners to give a
cheap and brilliant light; and it is also employed for heating
and working purposes.
The "Motor News" would like something similar to be
done in Ireland, and asks some wealthy philanthropist to come
forward and offer a valuable trophy for an international alcohol
race. Mr. Mecredy suggest[sic] an alcohol congress in Dublin,
a few speed trials in the Phoenix Park, and a launch race on
the Liffey, alcohol always being employed, of course. A four
days' programme is suggested, and as more sensible limits are
fixed than in the colossal Irish fortnight it seems a practicable
idea, and one which deserves support. The scheme has many things
to recommend itself to the industrial revivalists, as one of
the grumbles against the recent motor carnival was that cars
and fuel were foreign. In the suggested race for 1904 Irish
alcohol would be pitted against that of France, Germany, etc.,
and if it proved its superiority a valuable advertisement for
the Irish spirit would be obtained.