...And nothing but the truth

Sir,

With reference to Mr Passmore’s letter on BRM supercharging, the late Rivers Fletcher’s book ‘V16 The Story of the BRM Engine’ (1954) gives the answer and reveals that centrifrugal superchargers were used on racing cars as far back as 1908 in America.

I lived a few miles to the east of Folkingham airfield, which was the location of the BRM test track and with the wind from the west, one could hear the car being tested. Later I joined the BRM Supporters Club and this became the Owen Racing Motors Association (ORMA) and I still have the badges.

At a members meeting at Folkingham, Rivers Fletcher and Ron Flockhart drove a MK II car and I was standing some 15 feet away when it was unleashed by Flockhart.

When the ‘jungle juice’ fuel was drained for the V16 after the runs, one member was standing too Close and his crepe-soled shoes melted and then stuck to the tarmac.

I am, yours, etc. Richard Chapman, Sheffield