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10 March 2008
Correspondence: Mr. Forest Lycett and his Bentley
I am surprised to learn that supercharged Bentleys were competing in 1928, but agree with Mr. Bennett that, generally speaking, large and especially heavy cars are relatively slow over road circuits. In this connection the 8-litre Bentley's Shelsley time of 44.08 secs. may be dismissed as a "potted" effort on the part of car and driver which could not be sustained throughout the length of a race… Whether or not the manufacturers regarded the 8-litre Bentley as fast a road car as the supercharged 4 1/2-litre is an inside secret. Personally, in view of its 12-ft. wheelbase, I would say they did not, but the point is immaterial, for the 8-litre was not in production at the time of the events mentioned. Indeed, it did not make its debut until after Bentleys' officially announced retirement from racing. (F. Lycett)
I am surprised to learn that supercharged Bentleys were competing in 1928, but agree with Mr. Bennett that, generally speaking, large and especially heavy cars are relatively slow over road circuits. In this connection the 8-litre Bentley's Shelsley time of 44.08 secs. may be dismissed as a "potted" effort on the part of car and driver which could not be sustained throughout the length of a race… Whether or not the manufacturers regarded the 8-litre Bentley as fast a road car as the supercharged 4 1/2-litre is an inside secret. Personally, in view of its 12-ft. wheelbase, I would say they did not, but the point is immaterial, for the 8-litre was not in production at the time of the events mentioned. Indeed, it did not make its debut until after Bentleys' officially announced retirement from racing. (F. Lycett) Continued...
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