Wet Weather Precautions

Sir,

The subject of “Tailpiece” in November brings to mind the time and effort involved perfecting the advanced technical innovations which appear from time to time in all branches of motor sport. Some of your readers of famed long memory may recall yours truly descending Shelsley Walsh in the Barnett in 1972, protected by a very early prototype finished in black. If I recall correctly the protection afforded was excellent, but, at that early stage of development, the release button in the shaft proved a problem, it was very difficult to manipulate whilst wearing driving gloves!

Incidentally, oh for that twin rear-wheeled ERA from the Archives—the hill-climbs here are still run on dirt roads—shades of Shelsley Walsh of yesteryear.

Auckland, NZ GRAHAM ROBERTS