Great White Hope

Sir,

Further to Bill Boddy’s article “British Racing Misery” in December, in 1950 I was still a medical student in London and, like many others, got completely carried away by all the inspiring ‘hype’ about the new BRM. With great enthusiasm I paid my subscription (from my meagre funds) to join the supporters club the BRM Association and duly trooped to Silvers/one to see the Great British White Hope at the Daily Express meeting. Yes, the high-pitched scream of the V16 was a sound to last a lifetime in the memory; but so was the utter disbelief and crashing disappointment following the start-line debacle. In front of Royalty, too!

Raymond Sommer regained respect by his performance in the sportscar race, carving through the opposition by overtaking on whichever side was handy while simultaneously signalling with the use of the appropriate semaphore-type indicator! Notwithstanding that, when I got back to London I hurled away my “BRMA Member” lapel badge in disillusion, disappointment and disgust. Yes indeed, it took many years for BRM to recover the goodwill destroyed by the V16.

I am, yours, etc. Dr P Griffiths, Billericay, Essex