I spotted this report in the latest Heritage New Zealand newsletter. Includes link to British Movietone film of record attempt.
Mixed fortunes for ‘Wizard’ on Ninety Mile Beach
The site of a makeshift shed associated with world record-breaking Australian car racer, Norman Leslie ‘Wizard’ Smith, has been found at Hukatere on Ninety Mile Beach.
Heritage New Zealand staff recently recorded the concrete floor of ‘Wizard’ Smith’s shed – the only surviving part of the structure – using a GPS, with help from Tania Desmond, the manager of local campground Utea Park, who confirmed the site’s location.
On 26 January 1932 Smith was towed out from the shed erected near the beach front half way up Ninety Mile Beach, in his specially designed racing car Enterprise, and taxied onto the wet sands.
Filmed by a British Movietone newsreel before he began his brief, epic journey, Smith expressed confidence to the camera that he would topple the 10-mile (16km) land speed record. He was as good as his word.
The car was timed at 164.084mph (264km/h) overall – shattering the previous record of 137.21mph. At times Smith hit an impressive 200mph during the 10-mile time trial.
“Smith broke the 10-mile record in conditions that were less than ideal,” says Heritage New Zealand’s Northland Manager, Bill Edwards.
Smith eventually had a go at challenging Sir Malcolm Campbell’s mile and five-mile records on 1 May 1932 – almost four months after his initial run with the Enterprise.
“The attempt was unsuccessful with the Enterprise catching fire,” says Bill.
Watch footage of ‘Wizard’ Smith’s record breaking run at Ninety Mile Beach (including his shed at Hukatere complete with flying Union Jack) by clicking here.
Caption: Tania Desmond marks the site of ‘Wizard’ Smith’s garage with a GPS. Utea Pa is in the background.
Edited by opplock, 01 August 2017 - 16:59.