From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter discussing securing an entry for Mr. E. R. Hall at the Le Mans race and other race-related details.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90a\3\ Scan035 | |
| Date | 5th February 1935 | |
| Rolls-Royce, Ltd., Derby...........Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. Y7962 Levallois Srs/Crn.5.2.35. re: Mr. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} R.{Sir Henry Royce} Hall. You will remember my having mentioned that I supped with E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} R.{Sir Henry Royce} Hall on his way to St Moritz through Paris. During the short time I was with him, he spoke to me of various matters, and amongst others Le Mans, mentioning that in all probability he would have a go at it, providing that there is no definite opposition. He asked me if I would find out how the land lies in respect to available entries, etc. This I did in a roundabout manner, and, as you can imagine, without being in the scenes myself. I was rather taken aback to find that 58 of the limited 60 entries had been definitely booked. I therefore communicated with E.R. Hall at St Moritz on the 'phone and he immediately asked me to reserve 'pro tem' if possible an entry for his Bentley. This also was attended to, without mentioning E.R. Hall, and the arrangement is that if the authorities fail to receive the signed entry form, and the necessary funds, i.e. Fcs. 5,800.- within a day or so, the entry will be given to another applicant. I mentioned all this to E.R. Hall yesterday, and he was anxious that I should write to you to give you details of what had taken place. He, I understand, is writing to you, and will be seeing you shortly. I have left matters as above, pending further news. The position is that unless he drops out, N° 59 has been allotted to Mr. x with his Bentley. On the other hand, you will be pleased to hear that of the 58 cars actually booked, there is a 12 cylinder Hispano, which will be driven by Prince Nicholas of Rumania, and Count Trossi. This car has just been entered, bearing the N° 58. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Faroux, with whom I was lunching a few days ago, mentioned that he had not heard anything about the use of Monoposti engines in the Le Mans type of chassis. In fact, he said that this would not be possible, as the regulations were such that 30 cars at least would have to be sold during the year, and the particular chassis in question described in an ordinary commercial catalogue. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Faroux' opinion is that if a car is capable of 170/175 kms per hour on the straight, and has good acceleration and road holding propensities, and is so constructed that it is immune from the habitual mechanical troubles that generally go with cars of this description, it would have every chance of winning. | ||