Combat

Combat

BY BARRi’ LYNDON. THIS book deals primarily with the history of the M.G. marque, from its beginnings in a small shed at the back of an Oxford garage to the establishment of its fame on race tracks and road circuits throughout Europe. It will appeal most strongly to the M.G. owner present or prospective, but the races are described from quite an unbiased standpoint, and will prove equally interesting to a “fan” ” of any other make. The struggles of Captain Samuelson at Le Mans in 1930 form a surprising contrast

to Norman Black’s double success in the Irish Grand Prix and T.T. Races of 1931.

Unfortunately the writer, in trying to get away from the stereotyped descriptions of motor-races, tends sometimes to run riot with such phrases as “blazingred Italian machines,” “snorting Bugattis ” or “the merged thunder of the close-running cars slammed across the circuit,” but on the whole the accounts are both vivid and accurate. Captain T.;3/ston’s record-breaking attempts are dealt with in detail, and there

are some interesting photographs and a sectioned drawing of the” Magic Midget.” The illustrations come up to the high standard one expects in a book of this kind, and the well-drawn plans of the various circuits are a welcome feature.

Lord Howe contributes an Interlude and an Epilogue, and pays a warm tribute to the foresight and energy of Mr. Kimber, the Managing Director of the M.G. Car Company.

” Combat ” is published by Heinemann, and costs 7s. 6d.