WE WANT YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS

WE WANT YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS

In spite of a good deal of talking and writing, nothing has yet been done about building a team of racing-cars to uphold Britain’s colours in formula Grand Prix racing. It seems to us—and, we believe, to the majority of people interested in the subject—that the first and

most important thing to do is to find out roughly what degree of financial support can be expected from the followers of motor-racing.

Until this is done, no practical progress can be made, and all detailed schemes as to the type of car to be built and the size of the organisation required are little more than day-dreams.

In this we may be accused of putting the cart before the horse, but in our opinion the thing to do is to decide the minimum sum of money on which a team could be constructed and raced, and then, before working out the details, to ascertain whether there is any hope of ever raising such a sum. It is our belief that a fund of 4;100,000 would be sufficient to enable a team to take part in most of the big races with a reason able chance of success. If more money were available, so much the better, but we believe that, given highly efficient management and

rigid avoidance of any wastage either of effort or cash, a good show could be put up with that capital. Now what are the chances

of raising £100,000 ? This is where we want—not your money—but your help. Will you send us a postcard and let us know bow much you, personally, would consider contributing towards a Grand Prix fund, if such a fund were ever started ? It is understood, of course, that the post-card would not be binding in any way, but CONT ENTS A Case of Over-enthusias • • • 80 Good Old Days at Brookla ?Ids, The 37

Monte Carlo Rally, The.. 80 1.7-litre Mercedes-Benz, 7 he 41

Club News… 43 Exploding a Fallacy ••• ••• 46 E.R.A. Outlook, The 47 Speed for the Amateur 50

Rumblings … . • . . • • 51 3-litre Trials Bentley .. • 53 A Racing Car in 1?etiren7 en’ 55 Letters from Readers Open Cars are Best ••• ••• 59 Continental Notes and Neu ..• 61

would merely be used as a means of taking a “straw vote ” on the whole question. It would help the Cause if you would make the amount the maximum you can afford, rather than the

minimum. That again will vary with the individual. Some motor-racing enthusiasts we have already mentioned this idea to have declared that they and their friends would be prepared to subscribe each to a National Grand Prix Fund. This is a good deal more than many people could afford, while to others it would appear trivial. But whether you think you could spare half-a-crown or fifty pounds, please do

send us a card about it. While no amount is too small to be acceptable, it would, of course, ensure the success of the Fund if everyone offered to donate the very most be can afford. p 00,000 is not an impossible sum. After all, over 60,000 people paid five shillings each to watch the Don ington Grand Prix last year, and it is safe to say that another 60,000 would have gone to the race if they could have got away from their places of work. If they all gave £1, the Fund would have 00,000 in reserve. What about it ? Here is your chance to give concrete proof—without parting with any money for the moment—of the willingness of British

motor-racing enthusiasts to back a national team of Grand Prix cars. When—we refuse to say “if “—it is demonstrated that the money is there for the asking, then, and only then, will it be time to make

up our minds whether the money would best he spent in financing an entirely new team, or in consolidating and carrying on the prestige already obtained by English Racing Automobiles in the 1,500 c.c. division.