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).
Instructions for a race practice session, covering car preparation, programme, data collection, and tyre size considerations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90a\6\ Scan091 | |
| Date | 29th August 1936 | |
| -3- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}9/KW.29.8.36. Condition of cars at commencement of practice. Race Car - Fill to reserve, plus enough petrol for three laps, the whole to be accurately measured. Practice Car - Fill the tank up to the mark and ballast it to racing car weight. Programme. Race car does 4 laps and possible 5 if reserve holds out. Quick wheel change, and remaining laps put in on practice car. Figures Obtained. (1) Exact petrol consumption of racing car. (2) Approximate oil consumption of racing car, to make sure that this is reasonable. (3) Approximate petrol consumption of practice car. (4) Check over that oil supply of racing car is functioning satisfactorily. Of course if you are likely to run right on to reserve you will want a spare 2-gallon tank. This may be a bit too complicated for you and there may be lots of things that stop the programme, but they are the figures I would like to obtain if circumstances permitted. With regard to tyre size, I know you feel as I do that it would be disastrous to have to change the rear wheels if this can be avoided. I have no information as to the size of the 7" tyres, but if their rolling circumference is not more than ½% greater than the 6½" I do not think the car will mind the high gear ratio at all. However, having seen the state of the road surface, etc., I expect you will form your own conclusions. I have vivid recollections of the effect of slight increase of speed on Brian Lewis's tyres two years ago. | ||