Sir,
In your March edition a letter was published by Mr. P. Kelly, and ran “. . For the first season at any rate we can do without ‘Bira’ (for the B.R.M.).” I don’t think this is fair.
Before the war “Bira” was Britain’s most successful driver, excluding Seaman. Biro won many more long-distance races on an E.R.A. than any other driver. To prove his supremacy he won the “Gold Star” three years in succession. Surely that is enough.
Since the war “Bira” has shown that he has not lost his skill, and that he is still a front-rank driver. Naturally he was unable to beat the Alfas, but he still has a good record. During the last four years he has had eight firsts, six seconds, one fourth, six fifths, one sixth, and six fastest laps.
ln my opinion he is just the person to have as a driver for a B.R.M. He may not be British, but some Continental teams have British drivers, so why shouldn’t we have a Siamese in our team.
After all, ”Bira” is practically British, as he spends most of his time in England. I know Peter Walker, Tony Rolt and Stirling Moss, etc., are excellent drivers, and would make a splendid team, but the cars have got to have a season to get over any teething troubles that might crop up, and there are sure to be some. At first a driver with plenty of patience is needed and “Bira” has plenty. As soon as the cars are in first-class condition, then, in time, four cars can be entered, three for a team of young drivers, and one for “Bira” to run as more or less an independent (e.g., Mercedes entered Seaman as fourth driver occasionally). If “Bira” is given the wheel of a B.R.M., there is every reason why the combination should be successful. He did it with E.R.A. Long live B.R.M.
I am, Yours, etc.,
Evesham. TONY GOODWIN.