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).
Race strategy and car modifications for the Le Mans race.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 87\2\ scan0153 | |
| Date | 21th March 1936 | |
| To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Derby Showrooms Sr/Dn9/ET.21.3.36 Dear Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, LE MANS RACE I lunched yesterday with Faroux and we had a long talk about the Le Mans race. The result of this conversation was as follows: PETROL CARRIED - Charles considers that if you can cover 32 laps without refuelling, which seems to be the case, you are in a very strong position, but you should under no circumstances communicate this information to anybody, as he considers it will be very demoralizing for your competitors if they know nothing about your possibilities when they all have to come in every 24 or 25 laps to fill up, which he says is the case, and they see you carrying on for another 8 laps. He goes on to say that, contrary to the point of view expressed by Geo Lefèvre, the way to win Le Mans is never to have to stop for anything, except naturally for refuelling, and this would have to be done as seldom as possible. He does not consider, however, that you would gain anything by increasing your lap possibilities above the 32 laps mentioned. Another point of interest which he mentions is the necessity of having a very efficient petrol gauge at the disposal of the drivers. So many people, he says, have had to give up because, owing to some small leak, of which they have been unaware, they have run short of petrol after having accomplished 24 laps and whilst trying to complete a few more, they have come to grief. SELF-STARTER - Charles further states that we ought to make very sure that our self-starter does not let us down and points out that, any component part that does not function according with the rules and regulations of the race is apt to put us out of the race, even if the car is still capable of running. OIL TANK - Talking of the extra oil tank and float feed to the sump, he says that you will have to pay very great attention to the feed pipe from the tank to the sump, as this should be apparent, and by this he means that the people who inspect the car will want to be able to see the course followed by this pipe, from the tank to the sump. You must point out that, when giving a description of your car, you have adapted this tank as previously mentioned, and that it can be properly sealed up. | ||