MOTOR SPORT

On Counting Chickens.

TRADITION tells us that it is characteristic of this nation to achieve great things, and then to leave it to others to make a fuss if they will. In these days of intensive publicity it has become necessary, in self-defence, to make the fuss on ones own behalf. This change cannot be avoided, and is good for business, but the latest, and most regrettable tendency, seems to be to make the fuss first about what it is intended to achieve. This was • the line taken with the recent attempt on the land speed record, and if

any further illustration is required of the unwisdom of counting chickens during incubation, the result of this effort ought to supply it. During the trial and failure of the attempt, however, the harm done by this ill-timed assurance became evident, and as soon as it was found that the “Silver Bullet” was not fulfilling the claims made for it, everyone started to shift the blame where it was in no way due. In ordinary parlance Kaye Don was accused by many of having contracted “cold feet.” Such a thing only goes to show the colossal ignorance of everything connected with motor racing, of a stupid, and therefore noisy, section of the public. Why, because a new and

CONTENTS PAGE

… 35 … 36 … 38 The Way of Things

LAND. Easter Monday at Brooklands The Syston Grand Prix Races The Lands End Trial … The Italian ” 1,000 mile” The B.1Vf.C.R.C.’s ” Twenty-first “

Training for Speed …

The Double Twelve Outlook …

The 2.3-litre Bugatti on the Road …

Great Racing Marques—Vauxhall, by I. K. H. Karslake The Grand Prix of Monaco

So This is Yorkshire … Club News The Future of Competitions, by Douglas Mackay Here and There • • • 5 7 8 10 13 14 15 17 21 24 27 28 30 46 … 3

AIR. The Saro ” Cutty Sark” The Hanwortb. Air Pageant Gliding Gossip and News Slipstreams

WATER. The Sport Afloat The ” Itsit ” The East Kent Club at Tankerton

The Outboard Mile Record … … 41 … 42 … 43 … 44

completelyuntried design of car falls considerably short of the performance expected of it, a skilful and fearless driver, who has thrilled thousands by his superb handling of racing cars under difficult and dangerous conditions, should be almost openly accused of “funk,” we are at a loss to explain.

Even racing machines of quite normal type are rarely a success without considerable modification, and there is absolutely nothing to worry about, except the actual cost, in the temporary failure of this particular design. The remarkable success of the previous attempt, due to the amazing genius of its creator, has led people to imagine that such an attempt must be successful at the outset. It would be indeed surprising if it were, and with the experience of this attempt to assist them, the makers of the “Silver Bullet” will most probably succeed next time. In the meantime we welcome the return of its driver to these shores, and hope that his season’s racing in this coun try will amply repay him for the difficult time he has had in America. We also hope that the next attempt on

this record will be free from the misunderstandings which attended this year’s effort.