G.E.T. EYSTON CAPTURES WORLD'S 24-HOUR RECORD

G. E. T. EYSTON CAPTURES WORLD’S 24-HOUR RECORD

George Eyston has added yet further prestige to his world-wide reputation as a record breaker, aided by little Albert

Denly. Far away, out at Utah Salt Flats, these drivers, circling an immense circuit marked out on the burning sand, have taken a long list of world’s records, amongst them the two most coveted of the longer runs—the world’s hour, at 162.529, m.p.h. and the world’s 24-hour record, at 149.09 m.p.h. Recalling S. F. Edges’ 24-Hour record set up in 1907 at BrOoklands OA a Napier at 65.91 m.p.h., Eyston’s prolonged lappery under difficult conditions at almost 150 m.p.h. is a veritable milestone. Only ten years or So ago a brief dash at Pendine sands by Malcolm Campbell’s big Sunbeam at around 150 m.p.h. occasioned world-wide comment and congratulation.

Apart from the trying conditions of immense heat, the Rolls-Royce engined ” Speed of the Wind,’ ran short of fuel towards the end—a three-ton car far from the depot—while the difference in stature of Eyston and Denly necessitated the seat being changed between every run with a change of driver. The ” hour ” went first, then figures up to 24 hours were taken, and after a brief pause the 48-hour figure was established. Difficult as it is to appreciate the immense troubles to be Overcome, recognition must be given to the components that contributed to the bigcar’s speed and stamina. The Rolls-Royce aero engine burnt B.P. Ethyl fuel fired by G. M. S. plugs, energised by B.T.H. magnetos. The power was faultlessly transmitted to the front wheels via an Armstrong, Siddeley gearbox, the Dunlop-shod wheels were kept in hand by Hartford shockabsorbers, and the big machine relied on Hoffman bearings. The drivers con trolled it via a Dover steering wheel, seated on Moseley float-on-air upholstery, and they brought it to rest at the depots by grace of Ferodo lined Lockheed

hydraulic brakes. Lucas batteries supplied the Lucas lighting equipment, and Castrol oil attended to the 400 h.p.

engine. C. T. Delaney and Sons built the car and the Wolseley Motor Company machined sOme of the frame.

The ten-mile track became terribly cut-Up and the closing laps were made at about 125 m.p.h. After 1,300 miles 17 mins. were lost over a fuel stop, which cost the car the 200-mile record. After the 24 hours a 12-min. look-over was accorded the machinery. The day temperature was over 110 in the shade and Denly was all-in

at the end of his spell. Yet the 48-hour average Was 1.3G34 m.p.h. The chassis had front-wheel drive, specialised bodywork, and independent front suspension. The records taken comprise :—

1 hour : 162.529 m.p.h. 3 hours: m.p.h. hours :

12 hours : 149.02 m.p.h.

24 hours: 149.09 m.p.h. (3,778.3 miles)

48 hours.: 136.34 m.p.h. (6,544.75 miles)