Worth the toil for Toleman

Worth the toil for Toleman

Sir,

I’ve just read Nigel Roebuck’s article on Ayrton Senna (July issue) which unleashed a flood of memories. I worked for Brian Hart from 1973 to 2000 and remember the long days and late nights we spent working on the 415-T monobloc engine. Early versions of this engine were unreliable to say the least, so for Senna in the Toleman at Monaco every effort was made to ensure it was as reliable and efficient as possible. A hell of a lot of midnight oil was burnt in the run-up to the race, and the jubilation we felt when Senna came through so magnificently in the appalling conditions was unbelievable. He was a close second, but as Nigel points out he was on the verge of taking the lead; a stupendous effort in what was not the most competitive car, and in difficult conditions. Terry Whitworth, Harlow, Essex