Sports Car Stable Formed In Australia

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29251, 8 July 1960, Page 17

Sports Car Stable Formed In Australia

THE trim yellow and black cars of Leeton Motors—Australia’s only racing stable—-now include a Lotus 2J-litre, probably the fastest sports car of its capacity in the world. Australia's fastest sports car to.lay is George Leaton's Lotustie only one of this engine size in the world. Since its arrival in Australia two months ago, it has clipped seconds off standing lap records at several Of the country’s most popular tracks. On performance it can be beaten by only one car in the country, and that is the outright racing Cooper-Maserati of Alex Mildren.

Some bad luck had dogged the Lotus, so that in spite of its brilliant high speed trials and practice runs, it has missed out in several races because of minor mechanical troubles. Leaton’s Lotus started out as a Lotus Motors’ works, car in England and the 2i-litre Climax motor was fitted to it at this stage—the only 2J litre Climax ever to be fitted in a vehicle other than a grand prix monoposto. The installation was Intended as an experiment only. The result was an almost unbeatable sports car which performed brilliantly in England to break several existing records, lower lap times in sports car events, and generally distinguish itself at Silverstone, Aintree and other major circuits. German Goarbox One of the ear’s most interesting features is its German ZF gearbox, which is so dependable that in spite of its hammering in a great many races, it shows almost no sign of wear. After a year’s racing in England the Lotus was bought by Mr Leaton at a cost, landed in Australia, of about £6400. (The engine alone is valued at around £2000.) Since it has been in Australia it has more than proved its value—if only In publicity - for George Leaton’s used sports car business. At the Lowood circuit, Queensland, it came second in the open racing car section to Mildren’s Maserati. No Prqcticn Tracks Like many others in Australia, Leaton’s drivers are hampered by there being no strict practice tracks available in the country. Their only opportunity to practice with the car is on the day preceding a big race meeting when the roods have been closed off by police—not a very good arrangement by international standards. Leaton Motors has the only officially registered racing team in Australia. At present it is racing three cars under top drivers. In addition to the Lotus it has a D-type Jaguar with full 3.8litre modification, which also does very well in sports car events, and a 1100 c.c. Simea Special, wirich st present is still under development. Barry Taylor at present drives the Simea Special, which is an interesting little car with an Australian-made body and a

Simca chassis and motor. So far the Leaton team has only been experimenting with this car, which first started out as an AustinHealey Sprite but has been progressively transmuted until now it is almost completely LeatonSimca. Future Plans George Leaton hopes to keep his present team of cars and drivers together for the next two seasons. “At present,” he said, "we have cars capable of good performances in each major class. The Simca Special, after a few more modifications, should do very well. The D-type Jaguar ean beat any sports car' in Australia' barring the Lotus; and the Lotus, —at a pinch—ean turn in a good account of itself in the open , racing car field. Both Leaton and his business • partner Joe Robinson intend to travel overseas this year to waitch j top European and American stars , in action. “We want to make sure j we keep abreast of things in the j racing car- field," Leaton said.

Bootes Victory In Cent; Africa.— A Sunbeam Rapier and two Hillman Minxes have won the team prize in the 1300 miles Beira International Rally in Central Africa. The event, which started In Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, and ended at Beira, took competitors through the worst Rhodesian road conditions, including dirt roads and eart tracks.