VETERAN TO CLASSIC - TEN RECORDS FALL

Congratulations to the MG CC’s Triple M Register, whose members, subject to official confirmation, set new records at Millbrook on August 28/29, with five pre-1934 MGs. The ten new records are the National Class G 500km, 200 miles and three-hours figures by Peter Green’s K3 Magnette, respectively at 103.49, 105.14 and 103.49 mph, the National Class H 1000 mile and 2000km records by John Bannell’s J2, at 75.42 and 76.60 mph, and five National Class 1 records by Ken Rees’ C-type MG using only two of its cylinders, to put it into the 350-500cc category. These were the f s 5km to 10km targets, at speeds of 75.52, 75.50, 69.33, 75.63 and 75.43 mph. The two “dead” pistons had holes in their crowns and lead weights to balance them. The aim was 24 hours, but oil pressure was lost after nine hours.

Bannell’s J2 had a short-stroke crankshaft to bring its engine size to under 750cc. It lapped at around 93 mph but was delayed by bad oil leaks. Green’s K3 is the ex-Seaman/Straight car, which holds the class 24-hour record at 79.81 mph. It stopped with a sheared magneto drive after some three hours. Mike Hawks’ K3 and Barry Foster’s E-type MG failed on this occasion to break records. All these MGs were supercharged. .

Before the war the RAC would sell you a book for 1/- (5p) listing all the year’s current records; will the RAC MSA please repeat this useful service — if not for 5p? W B