"That's what I put them there for," answered Jerry.

For another mile there was little change in the relative position of
the cars of Noddy and the motor boys. Jerry thought he had cut the
bully's lead somewhat, but he still felt that he was far from having a
good chance to win the race. Still, he was not going to give up.

"Two laps more and it's all over," said Bob, as they began on the
final mile. "Can't you hit it up a bit more, Jerry?"

"I'll try."

Just a degree faster came the explosions of the cylinders of the red
car. But also, still faster, came the reports from Noddy's auto. He
was not going to be beaten if he could help it.

Around the two machines swung, the yellow car having given up and
dropped out. There was a confused shouting from the spectators, and
Bob could distinguish cheers for the red auto.

"We've just got to win!" he cried. "Win, Jerry! Win!"

Try as he did, by "nursing" the engine, Jerry could not gain an inch
on Noddy's car. The red machine was fifty feet behind the green one,
both going at top speed. Only an accident, it seemed, could make the
motor boys win.

As they swung into the last lap Ned cried:

"Noddy isn't going to slow down for the turn!"