SPORTS CAR TUNING ON THE PORTSMOUTH ROAD

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SPORTS CAR TUNING ON THE PORTSMOUTH ROAD

TO the mechanically-minded the famous firms who prepare racing cars in the neighbourhood of Brooklands Track are as well-known and almost as interesting as the famous race-track itself, but during the racing season at least many of them are too busy to be able to devote time to the less spectacular work of the sports-car owner. With a view to catering for these enthusiasts, Carling Motors, Ltd., of Portsmouth Road, Ripley, have enlarged their premises and are concentrating on tuning sports cars for the road and competitors. Personal experience in these matters is of the greatest importance, and the foreman of the tuning shop after, two years training with the makers of FraserNash cars, was promoted to the racing staff and helped to prepare many of the cars for racing and competition. He then went to Super-tuning, Ltd., of Tottenham Court Road and had much practical experience of Igaseratis, including Major Oats’ car and the one raced at Brooklands by Cummings, also the record breaking Arnilcars of Widengren and Humphreys, and when we visited the workshop was overhauling an Amilcar of the same vintage with a view to track events next year. Ripley is only four miles from

Brooklands, and cars prepared there can therefore receive their final tuning on the track. Messrs. Carling Motors are agents for M.G. and Austin cars, and the manager had some interesting schemes ‘for tuning up an 18-80 M.G. which had been sent in for attention, fitting it with three carburetters and a streamlined body. Even without such alterations it is surprising what a difference a little skilled attention to carburetion,

and cleaning up the induction system can do to a standard sports car, and there should be plenty of scope for the Firm’s activities in the Guildford districts, and in the southern Home Counties.