EDITORIAL., December 1927

EDITORIAL.

BEFORE we plunge once again into our monthly disquisition on motoring topics, let us heartily wish our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Talking of the New Year, there is a strong feeling in the air that 1928 will see a great revival of Motor Racing. In the first place, the removal of engine capacity restrictions, in the international races, should result in the return of several old racing firms, who could not afford to build the costly multi-cylinder 1,500 c.c. engines, required by recent conditions. It is to be hoped, too, that a few private owners of suitable racing cars will enter, now that greater freedom is allowed.

Secondly, it seems likely that more race S will be held on genuine road circuits, which again should attract more entries than have those events held on artificial race tracks, where sheer speed is the winning factor. One point, however, should not be lost sight of, and that is that although there are no limits to engine capacity, there is a definite weight limit for competing cars. It is to be hoped that this will not cause dangerous ” paring ” of those vital parts of the cars, on. which the driver’s life depends. There is quite enough risk in motor racing without entering drivers on 1,000 h.p. bamboo frames ! feature of t Perhaps the most cheerful his possible

revival is the likelihood of a road race within the British Isles. At present there seems to be a slight muddle as to what really will happen in this direction next year. Apparently the position is as follows :—It was originally suggested that a Private Owner’s race should be run in the Isle of Man ; this the R.A.C. offered to control, and there the matter rests for the moment. Then someone suggested that the European (and British) Grand Prix should be run on the road (whereas it is booked for Brooklands), and suitable courses have been explored in Ulster. Lastly, there is talk of an Endurance Race, on the lines of the Rudge-Whitworth

Cup, to be held in Ulster. Everyone seems to be at cross purposes, but it is certain that enthusiasm is not lacking, which, after all, is the important factor.

We Would like to draw attention to our cover this month, which depicts Capt. Malcolm Campbell on his Bugatti.

This drawing is particularly interesting at the close of 1927, as Capt. Campbell has been the most consistently successful British racing driver of the past year.

A limited number of proofs of this drawing, framed in passe-partout, and signed by the artist, Mr. Roy A. Nockolas, are available, priced five shillings.