An Explanation

As we go to press, Mr. L. Coatalen, the designer of the Sunbeam Grand Prix cars, asks us to deny the statement made in certain contemporaries that the Sunbeam cars suffered from sparking plug trouble during the classic race ; and also the assertion that trouble developed with the superchargers. Neither of these statements, says Mr. Coatalen, are true. The K.L. G. plugs gave no trouble, and it was a magneto defect in each case which cost the Sunbeam its chances in the race.

New magnetos were fitted just before the race, and the defect these developed was immediately discovered when the cars were examined. The Sunbeams ran perfectly when the original magnetos were replaced. Mr. Lee Guinness’ car, says Mr. Coatalen, was finally stopped through a fracture of one of the ball bearings of the universal joint.