The fastest Road Car

Sir

I feel Mr. Anthony Blight’s letter concerning the 1939 Brooklands Race (November 1979 Motor Sport) not only has an obvious bias towards Talbot but deliberately detracts from the achievement and race victory of the Delahaye DUV 870.

Do I have to remind Mr. Blight that to win a race you have to be first across the finishing line and I understand this 1939 Brooklands event was “The fastest Road Car Race“.

This unnecessary criticism of Delahaye in general could well be echoed towards Talbot after the Second World War when Talbot Lago only won races, never on sheer speed, but only because the opposition had to stop to refuel.

The win by Delahaye DUV 870 at Brooklands in 1939 should therefore be accepted as a race victory.

Rugby, Tony Harrison