DESIGN FOR A BRITISH FORMULA CAR

DESIGN FOR A BRITISH FORMULA CAR

As mentioned in ” Rumblings,” ” The Motor” is putting over a highly commendable campaign for a subsidised team of British road racing cars to compete for world honours in Formula contests from 1941 onwards. It would be unfair to that paper to outline the points raised and discussed, but we would remark, with reference to the proposed design for a 1939 Formula car, that rotary valves still seem to us rather too experimental even for this class of work, while we fail to tee how completely enclosed wheels will permit of adequate cooling for the tyres, rapid wheel changes at the pits, and of a check being kept as to the condition of the tyres during a race. The Germans certainly have enclosed their wheels and provided observation windows in the cockpit, but only for the trackracing conditions prevailing at Avus. If a car is sufficiently endowed with hairy horses to enable it to win a Formula G.P. an overdrive top should provide all the

top speed required along the straights even with the drag of exposed wheels, if other factors are right. All those concerned with British racing prestige should make a point of reading these issues Of “The Motor,” of November 8th, 15th, and 22nd. Amongst those whose views are published are : Cecil Kimber, Robin Jackson, L. H. Pomeroy, Snr., Lord Howe, Capt. J. S. Irving, M. A. McEvoy, W. A. Robotham of Rolls-Royce Ltd., C. M. Simpson of Daimler, and S. S. Tresilian of Lagonda.