‘Healey Endurance’ car needs a faster venue

The Healey endurance car completed its second day of tests at Millbrook on Aug 12th 2008. The test results at the track in Bedfordshire have proved just how difficult achieving a new record can be, with the car running just 2 mph below its target speed. A small difference but one that the team feel is critical to achieving its desire of beating the record set in 1954.

First track tests achieved 133 mph, further work was then conducted on carburetion and gearing before the second test. The 4 drivers planning to attempt the 1000Km and 24 hour records easily achieved maximum speed of 138mph within 5 laps, proving the outright speed and stability of the car. However that final 2% extra speed proved elusive and with a blustery day interspersed with showers, time ran out to finalise the car prior the record attempt planned for Aug 16th.

The Millbrook track is noted for scrubbing off speed some reckon by as much as 7mph. At such high speeds the tight 2 mile circle produces distinct tyre scrub which together with aerodynamic drag was holding the car back from its record breaking potential.
It has been decided to suspend the attempt until a more suitable venue can been found which may mean travelling outside the UK. This is a grave disappointment to the team who want to make the attempt in 2008 but with the British weather and FIA time keepers availability, this might not be 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.
The past few weeks have seen frenetic efforts from all involved with the FIA sealing the engine before the dynamometer set up was conducted on what seemed to be the hottest day of the year when the exhausts glowed cherry red.

“ This car was a faithful recreation of the original car with no modern technology included, it has matched the original in all respects. However trying to go faster than the original and not having the benefit of still air and a 10 mile track, the car is struggling to find that final speed. You cannot prove all these factors on a drawing board and in the end the drag on the car is proving difficult to overcome. We will just have to keep on working hard to achieve our dream”
commented Jeremy Welch after the test day