FACTS

FACTS

Sir,

With reference to your race report of the Goodwood Nine-Hour Race in September issue of MOTOR SPORT, I wish to take you to task over the following gross inaccuracies concerning my car and myself. Admittedly you put a question mark after your first statement which read thus “Then an open fuel filler (?)”

For your information, the filler cap was not open and the spare tyre was completely alight in the boot of the car, possibly caused by a non-airtight filler cap. The statement which caused me the greatest amount of concern was this : “and later he touched the hicane wall and buckled a rear wheel.” That is complete drivel. I can only assume that your reporter must have a terrific imagination.

I was called into the pits after I had resumed by the Chief Scrutineer who ordered the back wheels, which had oversize tyres fitted and had been slightly touching the body, to be changed to the normal size tyres.

I sincerely trust that you will rectify the damage caused by your misinterpretation of the facts. I am, Yours, etc., London, W.12. CLIFF DAvIS. [We gladly publish Mr. Davis’ letter to rectify the damage he

alleges has been done. We can only say that when reporting a nine-hour motor race all the incidents cannot be observed at close quarters and as spare tyres carried in the boots of racing cars in close proximity to highly inflammable fuel do not usually catch alight, it was more logical to assume that possibly the fuel filler sprang open and let some fuel onto the exhaust system. As Mr. Davis agrees. we did not state a fact, only a supposition. We still think the Tojeiro touched the inside wall of the chicane on one lap and if this happened shortly before the car was called in to have the rear wheels changed because they were too big and were touching the body (again an unusual occurrence in racing), is it such a crime for a distant observer to assume a buckled wheel was receiving attention and the other wheel being changed at the same time to avoid a later stop ?—En.)