148.5mph over 1000 km - RECORD SPEEDS ACHIEVED, Subject to FIA & MSA homologation

bankingSunday 15th November 2009 saw the 'Healey endurance' car built by Denis Welch Motorsport attempt the International Speed record for 1000 Km (International Group 2 Class 8 non supercharged). The car successfully completed 308 laps at record breaking speed, averaging 148.5 mph
The ambition was to beat the non-supercharged 4 cylinder records set by the Healey works team in 1954 at 132 .81 mph. So mission accomplished so far.
It is now subject to FIA & MSA homologation as to whether the 6 International and 12 National records under consideration, are confirmed
The car had a trouble free run with 3 scheduled pit stops and was driven by owner Martyn Corfield and Engineer Jeremy Welch in 4 stints of one hour each.
A further pit stop was made after Martyn spun across the track at 150 mph by the damp surface from the previous days torrential rain and howling gales.
After such a mind numbing moment he was still able to gather the car, losing no speed and after a safety check carry on unabated to the next scheduled stop.
The day started early after the Saturday’s lashing gales had made practice and final set up for fuel and tyres almost impossible.
Soon the sky broke and the car was running smooth and true as it did for the whole attempt.
The final hour saw tension mount on all the team member’s faces, as Jeremy Welch took the car onto the finish. There is always the 'unknown' to upset your plans in such a long distance event and everyone knew that their dreams hung on reliability. This car used points and condenser and a lot of old technology in keeping with its traditional heritage, a lot of hard work and effort was put into building this car by the Denis Welch Motorsport team but after all no one had done this for 55 years, and who know what gremlins might lay in wait

Commented Jeremy Welch
"The 1000 km endurance run is a major milestone both for myself and the company. It’s definitely the fastest normally aspirated 100/4 Austin Healey in the World today at 153.44 mph, according to the stopwatch.
If some of the performances achieve record status the entire team will be delighted. I will be able to look at my Father and Great Grandfathers' records and achievements and know that I have carried the bloodline further into the history books.

NEW PARTS CATALOGUE
We have the experience and a host of new parts suitable for original cars also, and all this is in our 100S brochure. It is FREE to anyone wanting one and contains much of the story of the Endurance car development.
NEW CARS
In the aftermath of the works car 1954 records, the Healey 100S was born and 50 were made as a celebration model, and they now are much sought after, fetching incredible prices.

We have a plan to do something similar. We are offering to construct a limited edition of new 100S cars based on our Endurance car, for those people who want a classic performance car, with a thoroughbred history, but who don't have the mega budget you need for an original. They will be made with the same care and attention as this car, built to customers specifications by hand, crafted with skill, and backed by the same engineering pedigree that has made this performance and many others come alive. With the exchange rate being great value for those outside the UK, it's a great way to get a fabulous car
We are looking forward to releasing more news shortly”

Thanks must go to Michelin tyres and their distributor Longstone tyres whose products performed faultlessly throughout and Sunoco for supply of fuel and pumping equipment.

If anyone wishes to exhibit the car at their events then it is now available

COMMEMORATIVE PRINTS
There will be a commemorative set of signed limited edition prints made available early in 2010 once records are ratified.
Please contact kelvin@crucialimage.org.uk to indicate your interest

The team