MOTORING SPORTSMEN

MOTORING SPORTSMEN—continued.

At the outbreak of war Mr. Duller joined up in the Royal Flying Corps at Brooklands, and very soon earned his ” wings ” as a pilot. On being transferred to Farnborough, at a later date, his motoring experience stood him in good stead, for he was entrusted with the responsible duties of testing all kinds of aeroplanes before they were passed for active service. “Flying,” he remarked, “conies quite naturally to one who is used to horses, especially with experience of practical motoring as well.” As an officer in the R.A.F. Lieut. George Duller was very popular with his brother officers and men, who very quickly recognised the courage and daring of the famous horseman. Had he been given the opportunity of demonstrating his flying skill over the lines there is little doubt that he would have become a renowned “ace,” but his services at home could ill be spared, so

he had to remain on less spectacular but equally important duties in the R.A.F. depots.

Continuing his interest in the sporting side of motoring on relinquishing his commission, Mr. Duller owned and raced cars of different makes at Brooklands, including a Bugatti, a 4i litre Sunbeam and a Thomas-Special, the latter being run in the J.C.C. Two Hundred Miles Race of 1923. Both this car and a similar machine driven by J. G. Parry Thomas started under serious difficulties, having only left the shops a day previous to the race.

In last year’s Two Hundred Miles Race, however, Mr. Duller drove one of the victorious Darracq team, and gained the second place at an average speed of 102.5 m.p.h. In this race he also tied with Major Seagrave for the fastest lap, 106 m.p.h.

This year he has begun very well by gaining the third place in the Grand Prix de Provence at Miramis, also at the wheel of a Darracq, with Major Seagrave and Count Conelli as team mates, all of whom were successful.

(Continued on page 409).