HENSHAW ENDURANCE
RENSHAW ENDURANCE
In breaking the outward and home .Cape Record Alex Henshaw established a standard of human endurance which should make long-distance car recordbreakers and other martyrs in the cause of motoring to think profoundly. Henshaw was in the Mew Gull (Gipsy Six Series II) for 60 hours out of 80. Towards the end he suffered badly from fever, fatigue and nose-bleed. In climbing to avoid bumps he accentuated the nose-bleeding. Three times he thought he would have to jump and leave the machine to land itself in the murk. Yet he made perfect landings everywhere, in a machine which sits down at 80 m.p.h. Accommodation for a total of 87 gallons of fuel was arranged in various tanks, one on the
ANOTHER SMALL SPORTS-CAR
Last month we were able to announce a newcomer in the rather neglected class • of small sports-cars costing up to 1;300. So many buyers are confined to such a price-ceiling that we are glad that this . class is once again filling-up. Another recruit is the Le Mans version of the Morgan 4/4. This new model has a tuned Coventry Climax engine of 1,098 c.c. The standard car has an engine of 1,122 -c.c.—it is difficult to understand the mentality of designers of sports-type . cars who use engines just outside the 1,100 c.c. class limit ; although one wonders whether utility engines are sometimes expressly made this way to . discourage their use in sporting events. The new Morgan has a 30 gallon rear tank with twin pump feed. The’ pecifi • cation includes Scintilla Vertex magneto, Zenith downdraught carburetter, cycle wings, Lucas Bi-flex lamps, outside cockpit floor. The cockpit details are interesting, and may inspire builders of enclosed racing-cars for long-distance record work. Henshaw sat on a thin sheet of Sorbo, yet his head practically contacted the roof—and certainly so during bumps—although he was strapped in. Ventilation was by means of a 3′ tube directed through the cockpit side and having a cork to plug it up over cold countries I Doped fabric round each petrol cap prevented spilt fuel from forming fumes—only, unfortunately, fumes were not entirely eliminated thereby. So crowded was the cockpit that the pilot could not lift his legs from the rudderbar and the spare K.L.G. plugs had to be carried on an engine bearer. Flasks
exhaust system, folding screen, rev.
counter, bonnet straps, etc. The excellent guaranteed speed of 80 m.p.h. is obtained with all equipment aboard and the price is 050. Higher speeds are guaranteed to slightly greater price.
CHANGES AT BROOKLANDS
Those who have not visited Brooklands since last season will notice several new landmarks. Hawkers have extended their Byfleet works, round the corner on the opposite side of the road facing the Aeronautical College hanger and have put up a big shed on the aerodrome where the road down to T. & Ts. and Butt’s Lodge joins the aerodrome road in a T-junction. Vickers Ltd. are considerably extending their works at the Fork, which were originally the works of the Itala Motor Co., established in, we believe, 1909. behind the seat provided water and orangejuice via rubber tubing and under each knee was another thermos, one of beef
tea, one of egg-and-milk. Chamois bags of nuts, raisins, oranges and apples were set behind his heels. Controls, etc., included v.p. control, retractable navigation light, carburetter cockpit vent in case of icing. Husan P4 compass, Sperry artificial horizon, directional gyro, stop-clock, two carburetter economy levers, emergency fuel supply control, etc. —to be contemplated for 60 hours out of 80. Visibility was particularly limited. We admire Henshaw’s endurance. These notes may suggest useful things to racingcar builders.
IMPORTANT FORMULA RUMOUR
It may be highly significant that both Huhnlein of Germany and Furmanik of Italy are advocating a 1.1-litre Formula at the A.I.A.C.R. meeting at which the 1940-42 G.P. Formula is Internationally
discussed. We may get this ruling if Britain also agrees. Rumour hints that Mercedes-Benz already have a team of If litre straight-eight o.h.c. cars and will run them in some of this year’s If litre contests.
ERROR
In the January issue we said Kenneth Mason used Champion R.1 plugs in his Brescia Bugatti with complete success. Actually he doesn’t—he uses Champion R.7. Sorry