Even Homer nods sometimes

A rare slip from DSJ

I have always been very glad that Denis Jenkinson and I met at RAE Farnborough during the war, and that after I had realised his dedication to motor racing I told him he must write about it for Motor Sport when peace eventually returned.

This he did, with those long and outspoken GP reports, for some 40 years. These dispatches were unique, and sent back as he travelled around Europe; DSJ would even take the reader for a walk along the full length of the Le Mans 24-hour entries. I have no need to recall his wonderful Mille Miglia article describing how Moss, aided by DSJ’s navigation, allowed Mercedes-Benz to win that 1955 road race at a record 97.96mph. This incredible piece of descriptive journalism has been republished many times.

This being the case I feel permitted to recall what ranks as DSJ’s only mistake I remember when I was editing his copy. In one GP report he referred to a new racing car as having eight cylinders. I had never previously made any alterations to DSJ’s reports, but in this instance I managed to contact him to say I would alter V8 to V6. His response was to send me a postcard with just a very large “V8” inscribed on it… However, at the close of his next report he had added a correction, to V6. But we are all allowed one mistake, are we not?