THE J.C.C. FILM SHOW

THE J.C.C. FILM SHOW

The J.C.C. gave easily the best motorracing film show ever, at Wardour Street, on November 2nd. All the best racing films were shown, with two of the best Micky Mouse cartoons and other pictures as a pleasant variation. The film showing the construction of the racing Austin Seven was well received and one wonders whether there is any significatfce about the taking of this film and Sir Herbert Austin’s interest in the Donington G. P. Certainly racing does enhance Austin prestige. The high spot of the evening was George Monkhouse and his latest colour films. If Nuvolari is the greatest driver, Monkhouse is assuredly our greatest motor racing commentator. He does not mind admitting his errors, explaining, for example, that he dropped his camera before the G.P. and in consequence spoilt the focus—it was still wonderfully good photography. He included a piece of a member’s film showing how Seaman, Hasse and another driver responded to the oil patch—may we have this in slow-motion, please ? Some fresh points came to light in the course of a caustic commentary. Mercs. turn their engines for 4 secs. on the starters before switching on, to clear excess fuel. Auto-Unions, this season, repeatedly oiled No. 3 plug on the near side and this curious trouble nearly got Nuvers. at Donington. Before the Swiss G. P. Metes. found their gear-ratios unsuitable and altered all four cars overnight. Lang slowed towards the end at Donington, partly because his screen broke and a 150 m.p.h. breeze is suffoca

ting. Monkhouse appeared to think Nuvolari would have won, even if Seaman had not left the road. He caused much laughter by remarking that the Germans do not drive about on their hard plugs after fitting them, and, in consequence, when they do start they go off firing on all “bottles ” and. not on a few cylinders, like the British cars.