CAR'S CAPABILITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 39, 16 February 1933, Page 12

CAR'S CAPABILITIES

LIMITATIONS OF BEACH

The speed the Bluebird will attain is a matter of theoretical calculation. Last year Sir Malcolm Campbell raised his own record mean speed from 245.73 m.p.h. to 253.9 m.p.h. In one direction, with a slight favourable wind, .he covered the mile at 267.4 m.p.h. Many good judges, with a full knowledge of the mechanical improvements effected in redesigning and turning the Bluebird, built in 1924, from No. 2 into No. 3, expect the now faster machine to reach a mean speed of something between 275 and 280 m.p.h. While 300 m.p.h. is the great ambition, if even 20 m.p.h. is added to the existing record it would be a wonderful achievement, for it must bo remembered that the 9 miles course, with its measured mile in the centre, at Daytona Beach has its speed limitations, insomuch that the machine requires many miles in which to work up to its maximum speed, and almost an equal distance to pull up in. The Halifax River at one end of the course definitely limits the get-away and also presents an element of danger.in bringing to a stop a 4J-ton projectile hurtling along at over four miles a minute. Sir Malcolm on this occasion has at his command nearly 1000 h.p. moro than he had when he established the existing figures, and the 2350 h.p, RollsRoyce Schneider type aero engine he is using is the finest and most efficient power unit the'world has produced. It is of 12 cylinders in two banks of six, V-wise. The bore is 154.4 millimetres and stroke 167.6 millimetres, giving a cubic capacity of 36,583 c.c. The engine is supercharged, and weighs about 16301b, giving a power-weight ratio of 1 h.p. for every lloz of metal. At 3200 r.p.m. it develops 2350 b.h.p., and has been bench tested for an hour with full open throttle. It is amazing that just on 200 h.p. can be obtained from each cylinder. When under full throttle there is a stress of about nine tons on the main centre crankshaft bearing alone. The engine has six carburettors, and consumes special fuel at the rate of three gallons a minute. The wheelbase of the Bluebird is now 13ft Bin, and the overall length of the streamlined body 27ft. The front wheel track is sft 3in, and the track of the back wheels sft, the whole machine weighing about 4* tons. The power ratio to the total weight of the Bluebird is 1 h.p. to 4.281b.