Mini Stunt

Sir,

As one of the organisers of the record Mini engine change, referred to by your correspondent David Larkins in the April edition of Motor Sport, I can offer some information on how it was done. Two standard BL Minis were modified to ease the task of high speed removal of the engine and gearbox unit. The object was to provide an Army v RAF competition for the Colchester Tattoo in 1974 and the pace became very hot during the week of the Tattoo, with minor modifications by the rival teams up to the last day. The teams quickly found that it was vital to change the engine immediately before each appearance, to ensure that the spare engine was warm and would start immediately when fitted to the car in the arena!

Times improved during the week and the record 52 sec, was set by a team from RAF Wattisham during the final performance. For any of your readers keen to see a repeat performance, we will be attempting to beat that record, at the Battle of Britain At Home Day at RAF Abingdon, on September 13th this year.

Group Captain JMP CALNAN, ADC C Eng MIMechE, RAF Abingdon