© Copyright 2011 Julianne Dodds
Speedboat and hydroplane Championships
1921 - 1925
cont ... 1924 Australasian Motor boat Championship in Adelaide
Jack Smith and Les White with Mac at the conclusion of the race.
Photo from Williams Collection
The first race commenced at 2:45 pm to cover a course about 20 miles in length. The event was to
be run for two heats with four laps in each. The competitors manoeuvred above the line ready to
start; the Blue Peter was lowered and a gun firing signalled the beginning of the race.
Century Tire was by far the most interesting boat to watch. Her mechanism was in perfect order,
she didn’t miss a beat, and there were times when almost the whole boat was thrust almost clear of
the water. But during the first heat of the race, her hull was seriously damaged.
Tortoise II was also at a disadvantage – missing badly, and blowing centres out of spark plugs. By
the unrhythmic sounds it was easy to tell that she was in real trouble. She put up a real fight against
Century Tire but just didn’t have the power to win. Apart from the damage to her hull, Century Tire,
however, did not miss a beat throughout the two gruelling heats of 20 miles each. Although she
finished the second heat carrying inches of water, it had not slowed her down.
Although three heats had been scheduled, Century Tire was declared the winner as she had won the
first two heats.
Lady Sid ran second in both heats.
Millawa’s only chance of victory was in case of a breakdown on the part of the other boats. Her
power of 160 h.p. was less than half that of the other competitors, but Mr. Gordon McFarlane
handled her wonderfully, and she ran with absolute consistency.
Tortoise II had now become the unsuccessful defender. The Rymill brothers lost their hope of
retaining the Griffith cup that South Australia had held since 1916.
The enthusiasm when Century Tire romped home to victory a bare 100 yards (seven seconds)
ahead of Lady Sid was intense. The crowd cheered themselves hoarse, and steamers blew their
sirens. Mr. Thornycroft passed close to Century Tire and congratulated Mac, and when Tortoise II
had finished her last round Mr. Rymill brought his craft alongside and was the first to shake hands
with the winner.
Century Tire attained the fastest time of the day in the third lap of the first heat, averaging
55.39 miles per hour. Tortoise II had the record last year on 49 miles per hour.
Mr. A. G. Rymill said he had no excuses to offer. “We were beaten by a better boat. Even had our
engine been going properly I can see by her performance today that Century Tire would have won.”
Speedboat and hydroplane Championships
1921 - 1925
cont ... 1924 Australasian Motor boat Championship in Adelaide
Jack Smith and Les White with Mac at the conclusion of the race.
Photo from Williams Collection
The first race commenced at 2:45 pm to cover a course about 20 miles in length. The event was to
be run for two heats with four laps in each. The competitors manoeuvred above the line ready to
start; the Blue Peter was lowered and a gun firing signalled the beginning of the race.
Century Tire was by far the most interesting boat to watch. Her mechanism was in perfect order,
she didn’t miss a beat, and there were times when almost the whole boat was thrust almost clear of
the water. But during the first heat of the race, her hull was seriously damaged.
Tortoise II was also at a disadvantage – missing badly, and blowing centres out of spark plugs. By
the unrhythmic sounds it was easy to tell that she was in real trouble. She put up a real fight against
Century Tire but just didn’t have the power to win. Apart from the damage to her hull, Century Tire,
however, did not miss a beat throughout the two gruelling heats of 20 miles each. Although she
finished the second heat carrying inches of water, it had not slowed her down.
Although three heats had been scheduled, Century Tire was declared the winner as she had won the
first two heats.
Lady Sid ran second in both heats.
Millawa’s only chance of victory was in case of a breakdown on the part of the other boats. Her
power of 160 h.p. was less than half that of the other competitors, but Mr. Gordon McFarlane
handled her wonderfully, and she ran with absolute consistency.
Tortoise II had now become the unsuccessful defender. The Rymill brothers lost their hope of
retaining the Griffith cup that South Australia had held since 1916.
The enthusiasm when Century Tire romped home to victory a bare 100 yards (seven seconds)
ahead of Lady Sid was intense. The crowd cheered themselves hoarse, and steamers blew their
sirens. Mr. Thornycroft passed close to Century Tire and congratulated Mac, and when Tortoise II
had finished her last round Mr. Rymill brought his craft alongside and was the first to shake hands
with the winner.
Century Tire attained the fastest time of the day in the third lap of the first heat, averaging
55.39 miles per hour. Tortoise II had the record last year on 49 miles per hour.
Mr. A. G. Rymill said he had no excuses to offer. “We were beaten by a better boat. Even had our
engine been going properly I can see by her performance today that Century Tire would have won.”