and smartly off to the start. The engine definitely likes to be used more often. Then gently past the start line, swing around and back to join the queue with engine off. A check revealed only a slight drip from the water pump and the usual petrol drip easily stopped with the fuel valve. A short tow-start was necessary when called then a short wait to see and hear the 350hp Sunbeam away, the Mercedes 60hp, then VCIII.
We were on a ‘demonstration only’ run which did not mean ‘go as slow as possible’ to me, anyway! VCIII does not like to go slowly and finds it awkward to go below 30mph in first gear at minimum idle speed. Then we were away up the hill. Past the grandstands, into second gear, accelerate, brake for Molecomb. Some cars seem to like to attack the straw bales on the outside of the corner. I wonder why there is a grandstand there? I managed to keep VCIII on the track. Wriggle past the flint wall and accelerate to the finish. So in about 11
/2 minutes we were waiting
at the top of the hill again. The marshals’ call to return to the Paddock made us take to our seats, chocks away, then bump start to join the procession down the hill. At minimum idle with brakes full on the speed was manageable. Hanging back was necessary to avoid bumping the rear of the ex-Jackie Stewart Lotus-BRM 43. I did not wish to have that kind of publicity! The paddock crowds were their troublesome best but we made it slowly back without mishap.
Sunday afternoon was the last run up the hill with Richard driving. VCIII seemed to be behaving. Richard was gradually getting happier with the controls that are very different from the normal modern car. The gear lever is on the right with no synchromesh and the hand-brake, which is the main brake, is outside the body on the right. The throttle is the middle foot pedal, (I have to think before an emergency stop!), the clutch has a transmission ‘stop’ to aid ‘up’ changes if
Waiting at the start.
required, and there are hand levers to adjust the choke, engine advance and closed throttle position. It takes some practice.
So, up the hill again, on the way playing with the gears and careful at the corners. The circle at the top where everyone stops has to be negoti- ated. An initial burst on the throttle up and around then smartly to a stop on the down slope. VCIII has some momentum, but using both foot and hand brakes we stop just before a silver Mercedes that had a driver in a white helmet who was quite well-known. We missed an opportunity for some more publicity by about two feet. The return to the paddock was completed with Richard in a position to wave a thanks to the marshals as is the tradition.
However I was not finished yet as I returned to Goodwood the next day to help load the Napier- Railton into the transporter for the return to Brooklands. While waiting, Duncan Pittaway was preparing to depart to Bristol in his Fiat S76, the ‘Beast of Turin’. A real ‘Titan’ having 28.3 litres, four cylinders and a well-rehearsed self- starting procedure – as self-starting is essential at motor- way service stations on the M4!
Thank you to Richard Nash for letting me experience his historic car and of course the many Brooklands volunteers who have contributed to the successful running of VCIII. All photos by the Nash family.
Top of the hill assembly.
41
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