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 from The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders to Bentley Motors seeking suggestions on a new racing formula to limit speed for safety.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90a\2\ Scan300 | |
| Date | 27th December 1934 | |
| COPY The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders Ld. 83, Pall Mall, S.W.1. 27th December 1934. W.Cowen,Esq., Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd., 16, Conduit Street, W.1. Dear Mr.Cowen, The R.A.C. are anxious to obtain the views of the Society on an amendment of the International Competitions Committee's "racing formula" to govern cars taking part in International Race Meetings of the type of the French Grand Prix, the Italian Gran Premio, the Grand Prix de Nice, etc. It appears that the existing formula, which gives unlimited dimensions to the motor within a certain restricted total weight to the Vehicle, has produced cars of such very great speed that Races under the formula have been fraught with great danger, even though the cars were handled by most expert racing drivers - a result which has led to proposals for some immediate change in the Rules, although when originally adopted in 1932, it was understood that they would be applied to all such Races in 1934, 1935 and 1936. Although such a change has been decided not to be immediately effected, the International Competitions Committee is anxious to give consideration to some new formula as early as possible in 1935 with a view to its coming into operation in 1937 for the usual three year period. The desire of the International Competitions Committee is to produce Racing Cars capable of high speeds; but at the same time to apply some restriction by way either of weight, engine size, wind resistance area or fuel allowance, so as to limit the speed to a degree that the cars can be handled by good racing drivers with reasonable safety. Have you any suggestions to put forward on this question which might serve as a basis for the discussion which is to take place between the Society's Competitions sub- Committee and the Competitions Committee of the R.A.C. within the next 10 days? Yours very truly, (Sd) J.C.J.Phillips Exhibition Manager. | ||