Healey Endurance car exceeds target speed

STOP PRESS:
The Healey endurance car built by Denis Welch Motorsport achieved one of its prime targets in a recent test at Millbrook proving ground on 19th March 2009 when during a one hour constant-run test it exceeded the speed achieved by its predecessor by 10 mph.
This beautifully crafted car built during 2008, is a recreation of the World record breaking 1954 works Healey car that achieved a 132.81 mph average for 1000 kilometres. The ambition is attempt a new record and 'exceed all non supercharged Healey records'. It has been developed continuously during the winter to try to better the works record car achievements.
Late 2008 tests had proved the cars straight line speed in excess of 142mph but further work was required on suspension and aerodynamics to suit the 2 mile circular Millbrook track chosen for the record attempt and this test was the first outing this year with those improvements on board. The purpose of the test was two fold, firstly to run the car for a constant one-hour-test to check long distance running and driver experience at the wheel. The second point to evaluate was how well the engine could pull the tall diff ratio required to run at high speed without overstressing the engine, which might lead to failure over a long distance.
The driver at this test was owner Martyn Corfield who said that despite completing the one-hour test in excess of 142mph he was still comfortable at the wheel and could have managed more laps in one stint if required.
The result of the engine stress test showed that further work will be required to pull the tall diff successfully. A wind tunnel test took place after this at MIRA in mid April to see if improvements could be made to the aerodynamic efficiency of the Healey shape, it had been noted that the bonnet raised its head at speed due to the suction of air over its surface and further minor corrections might make that vital difference to outright drag and speed.
The test gave many insights into how airflow can be managed and certain myths such as the amount of lift generated by the shroud base were unfounded. However other points such as the flow of air through the body and engine were significantly more illuminating. Subtle modifications are now underway that will in no way detract from the original specification of the car but might make the goal of 150mph constant running more achievable.
This project has been developed by Classic car Expert Jeremy Welch from his business Denis Welch Motorsport in Yoxall, Near Burton on Trent, and has been recreated in memory of a previous record-breaking car that took the 24-hour record in 1954. This research and development work is typical of the type of classic car race consultancy that the company specialises in.
“ We had many minor improvements that had been made in the winter that we wished to evaluate. Our 2008 tests had show us just how difficult record breaking can be, after all the works did take the world record so they must have got a lot of things right. We are starting from scratch and are determined to make this a faithful recreation of the 1954 car so we are limited in many ways. Our experience in racing Healeys for over 20 years helps but this is a whole new ballpark and in many ways it tests our ingenuity and skill. We love a challenge and this is the kind of development work that we enjoy most.
It looks as if we will make an attempt on the 1000 km endurance record this year, so those who are interested can keep up to date from our website”
commented Jeremy Welch after the test day

Endurance Car Road Test

Click the thumbnail below to view a video of the Endurance Car road test:

Endurance Car Engine

Click the thumbnail below to view the Endurance Car engine in action: