Push start.
piston rings and out of the exhaust ports. We adjusted the oil level in the sump for later runs up the hill so the oily problem was controlled.
VCIII was scheduled as a ‘demonstration run’ so it was not imperative to get a good time up the hill. Also, Richard had not ventured up the hill before so a little guidance was in order from the left hand seat. So, tow-start and we were off!
I
had been up and down the hill before so I knew something of the hazards and corners to come, all enhanced by a layer of mud on the road in places.
A short straight then a one-sided conversation. “Right here and right again, a short straight, try second, no back into first, careful left at Molecomb, camber wrong and mud, straight then past the flint wall right, left, right, accelerate, take a left curve, to the finish, plenty of time to slow down. Right, up and round and stop.”
Once all the cars had assembled and the crew buses had arrived the marshals called the cars to
drive down the hill one at a time to return to the paddock. On the way down I had a slight feeling that VCIII was not ready to slow on the steeper parts of the down gradient but with Richard’s foot and hand put to good, hard use we made the paddock without mishap.
For the early afternoon run Richard gave me my first chance of driving VCIII. It is a real privilege to drive one of the ‘Brooklands Giants’. A short tow-start again then down to the start. Try a little throttle on the middle pedal, lots of torque from the engine then slow for the start assembly. Hum, brakes could be more effective! The steer- ing is quite manageable on the move. Slowly past the waiting cars and swing round and back towards the start line to park ready for a tow-start. The water pump glands were leaking so a turn of the greasing screw was necessary to bring the leak under control. A sociable wait to see the other cars start and then it was our turn. The tow-start crew did their business then slowly towards the start line. Start marshals waved us through so then I was off. I wonder what ‘he’ feels like around the bends? Accelerate then back off for the first right-hander. The track must be a bit slippery still with the recent rain and mud deposits as the ‘mechanic’ in the left seat experienced a slight wiggle. Accelerate again and into second. Then, away up the hill. Molecomb is awkward even with a high vantage point. Then the flint wall looms. A narrow wriggle right then left, right and a fast left to the finish then slow down and swing round to assemble as directed by the marshals at the top of the hill. Those brakes do need anticipation or is it attention!
The run down to the paddock required a firm
Richard Nash (driving) and Colin Shaw wait in the paddock.
38
pressure on both the hand and foot brake. We returned to crowds of people, some in the way and seemingly oblivious to the approaching ‘Titans’ wanting to reach their paddock.
During the second run the Benz engine was not
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