DRIVING AT 250 M.P.H.

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 15

DRIVING AT 250 M.P.H.

Campbell’s Sensations “I am frequently asked,” writes Sir Malcolm in a recent issue of “The Motor” “what it feels like to travel at speeds of 250 miles per hour or more.” 1 find -that many people are under the impression that when the record Is put up by another 20 m.p.h. or so, the difficulties of the driver, or his sensations, will be just the same as they were when ’ the record stood in the region of 200 m.p.h. “This impression is totally wrong, as a driver with any experience can feel at once—apart from looking at his instruments —whether he is travelling faster than he did bn the previous occasion. Every 10 miles per hour increase can be felt, and felt in no uncertain manner. “Of course, as to whether the driver has what one may term an ‘easy ride’ (if travelling at over 200 m.p.h. can ever be so designated) must depend on two very important factors: first, the stability of the car, and, secondly, the conditions which happen to be ruling at the time. When it is realised that the present record, although only standing at 272 m.p.h., is yet ony 1.23 seconds short of 300 miles per hour, it can be appreciated that before this velocity of five miles per minute is achieved it will be necessary for the track chosen to be in perfect condition. To-day we are travelling at the rate of approximately 134 yards per second, or at about 400 ft. per second, which is pretty fast when viewed from this angle. A very quick-act-ing brain is absolutely essential when driving at these speeds, as can readily be imagined. “If only we could have obtained better wheel adhesion In my attempt at Daytona last February, I feel sure we should have reached a speed very close to 300 m.p.h. Our percentage of slip was in the order of 20 per cent., as the engine was actually turning over at a speed which was equivalent to 330 m.p.h. I believe we are almost at the limit possible with rear-wheel drive, and that all future attempts must be made with four-wheel drive. “For my own part, I shall never be happy until I have reached the 300 m.p.h. mark, and if I am lucky enough to do this I shall then retire from the arena. “Without in any way wishing to appear boastful, as this is always unpardonable in anyone, I do not think that there should be any insuperable difficulties in controlling a car at this speed, provided, of course, (as I have previously mentioned), that the car is correctly built and the surface of the track perfect, When I make my next attempt I feel that my previous experience will stand me in good stead. “It is really extraordinary how much one leans in driving at each successive attempt, until one gets to the point of realising what a little one knows about the game at all —but that Is the same with everything in this world.”