Wrong Maserati

Sir,

I liked the article by D.S.J. recalling the International Trophy Race over the years. The JCC scored a notable break-through with their handicapping via different channels, the brilliant idea of “Bunny” Dyer. A splendid idea of the Editor’s doing this to-day at Silverstone, but I am afraid D.S.J. is right in that to-day’s competitors just would not play that game a pity!

There is a small mistake about the 1934 race the Maserati in the Doune Museum is not the car with which Whitney Straight won the 3934 International Trophy. Motor Journals at the time and race commentators have suggested that there was only one special Straight Maserati, but in fact there were two. No. I was his Grand Prix car with a wide body to comply with the then Grand Prix regulations, a large hid tank and an inside hand brake. This is the car with which Straight won the 1934 International Trophy; it was in lad completed before No. z which was lighter and faster with a smaller fuel tank, a narrow body, and an outside hand brake. Whitney Straight originally planned to drive No. 2 in that race but it was not quite ready. It was No. 2 that he drove later at Shelsley Walsh and at Brooklands in the British Empire ‘frophy Race. l’hat is the car now in the excellent hands of the Earl of Moray at Doune.

At Shelsley Walsh I remember correcting the commentator who had referred to Whitney Straight’s record breaking run as being made On the International Trophy winning car. I am anxious to get this right as history so easily gets written incorrectly once the printed word is read.

Kineton A. F. RIVERS FLETCHER