THE RELIABILITY FACTOR IN SPEED EVENTS

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THE RELIABILITY FACTOR IN SPEED EVENTS.

IN my opinion the greatest value to’ be derived from motor racing can only be attained if the competing drivers and manufacturers pay every possible attention to the reliabilty of their cars ; a truth which, of course, applies equally in the case of motor cycles ; though, personally, the greater part of my experience has been with cars. You observe, I have mentioned the driver before the

manufacturer in speaking of racing reliabilty, because it is generally up to the former to see that everything about his car is dead right before going to the post for an important event. Modern team racing organisation has a wonderful influence upon road and track success, but it is not everybody who can afford the huge expenses connected with such an organisation, and in writing these notes I have in mind the” lone” racing man who, whilst ready to take a good deal of trouble, and to spend quite a lot of time in making various preparations, has to keep his racing costs within reasonable limits. Incidentally, this has been my position in the past, and most of my important races have been run with cars that ha’ e been prepared for the fray by my mechanic Munton and myself, in the small service shop connected with the business of B. S. Marshall, Ltd. From a business point of view, it has always struck me that Reliability impresses the public in a more lasting

By B. S. MARSHALL.

manner than sheer speed, especially when the product raced is the same as can be bought by the public.

This, therefore, has been my aim, under whatever conditions the race has to be run, that the car must finish, and though it may not be quite so spectacular as the fast cars, it will demonstrate what the public asks for, that is, a car with a high performance but unquestionable reliability.

Choosing a Racing Car.

Drivers of experience generally have some favourite make of car, and I think it is always advisable to keep to the same type of mount, as far as possible, in preference to racing all makes indiscriminately. In this way, one becomes accustomed not only to the peculiarities of a particular car, but also to inherent characteristics which seem to follow through all the designs and types turned out by certain manufacturers.

Thus, when a new machine comes along, one already feels formally introduced, and the process of becoming thoroughly familiar with the car, in a racing sense, is not a very protracted affair. For some years past the masterpieces of Ettore Bugatti have impressed me most as small and handy racing machines, and incidentally some of my best performances have been on perfectly standard models, which have