Sir,

Sir,

I have read with great interest your article on ” Sprint Events 20 Years Ago.” I see, in your description of the Caerphilly Hill (limb, 1924, you mention me as a class winner, and ask, “Does anyone know where Sully is now ? ” Well, here I am, very much alive and kicking ! My peace-time address is “Top Cross Cottage,” Chew Stoke, near Bristol, where I should be only too pleased to see any of my friends if they happen to be in Bristol and care to look me up after the war.

A short description of my run up Caerphilly Hill in 1924 might interest your readers.

The car used was a special 2-litre 1-K.E. (72 by 120), with four valves per cylinder, push-rod operated. One only of this model was made, specially for hill climbs and sprint events. The car had a 4 ft. 2 in. track, 8 ft. wheelbase and no differential. On the way down to Wales from Reading I had bad misfiring. On examination, to ascertain the cause, I found that water was entering one of the two inlet ports from the water jacket of the cylinder head owing to a blow hole in the casting. The blow hole happened to be in a place that could not be got at for welding. As I particularly wished to win my class on the hill, I decided to do the climb with a dry engine, i.e., with no water. To avoid overheating at the start, the late dear old Ebby, after consulting other competitors in the class who sportingly agreed, allowed me to have a push start, which naturally cost me a second or two, and I proceeded up the hill. The engine stuck it without blowing up. I had to stop the engine at the top of the hill by putting it In gear and letting in the clutch with the brakes hard on, as everything seemed to be red hot. However, the class was won ; that is all that mattered. Below are a few successes won by me on 11.E.s in the good old days :— Porthcawl Speed Trials.—Open Class, from 2,100 to t:..500

Caerphilly Hill Climb, 1921.—The NiMan Stuart Cup for 2-litre ; Open Class from 2,100 to 2,500 c.c.—Wakeley Cup. Five medals in various classes.

Holme Moss Open Hill Climb, 1921.— Second fastest time for cars up to 2,300 c.c.

Sutton Goldfield, 1921.—Highest figure of merit on formula.

Newport, Catsash Hill, 1921.-1-Ugliest figure of merit for the day on formula.

Broohlands, 1921.—First, Senior Long Handicap ; second, Senior Short Handicap.

Worcester Spred Trials, 1921, Nadresfield Park.histust time in unlimited class.

Shrlslev. 1921.—-Worcester Tenni Ct tp, with liaymond Mays and Frazer Nash as joint members of the team. Brno/elands, 1921.— Second in 90 m.p.h. Short Handicap ; third in 75 m.p.h. Long

lIandivap ; (lass C. Records, 1-mile, kilometre and mile.

Sutton Goldfield, 1922.—Second place on time ; highest figure of merit in unlimited class on formula.

Essex Motor Club, cop Hill, 1922.— Second on formula in Classes 29 and 30.

London-Holyhead, 1922.—Gold Medal.

Caerphilly Hill Climb, 1922.—For cars from 2,100 to 2,500 c.c.: Three 11.E.s entered, winning first, second and third. Also winning one Challenge Cup, Gold Medal, Silver Medal, two Bronze Medals.

Portheawl Speed Trials, 1922.For ears with engines of 2,100 to 2,500 c.c. : Three ILE.s entered, winning first, second and third.

Basingstoke Hill Climb, 1922.—Fastesl time of the day. My first car was a 1901 3i-h.p. De Dion. I am, Yours, etc.,

Forces. R. J. SULLY (Major). • •