| The Land Speed Record
In 1923 Malcolm Campbell persuaded Louis Coatalen to
sell him the 18.3 litre, 350 hp.
‘V12’ Sunbeam car. He had high hopes of using it to
break the world land speed record.
In June 1923 the Danish Automobile Club were
holding their International Speed Trials on the
beach at Fanoe Island, Denmark. He took the car
there and on 23rd June made an attempt on the
record. He achieved a mean speed of 137.72 mph. for
each way of the 1 Kilometre course and a speed of
146.4m.p.h. in one direction. Unfortunately the
Commission Sportive refused to recognise the new
record because they did not approve of the timing
apparatus.
During the winter months the car was sent to
Boulton & Paul Limited in Norwich for wind tunnel
tests and a new body. The car had proved difficult
to control at speed and tended to veer to one side.
It was hoped that a new streamlined body would
overcome the problem and allow the car to reach
higher speeds. After testing in a wind tunnel, a new
long-tailed body was fitted and
various mechanical improvements were made. After
applying a coat of blue paint, the car became
‘Bluebird’.
In June 1924 the car was taken to Saltburn for
another attempt on the record. On the first run he
achieved 142.2 mph. and reached 143.39 mph. on his
return run. A new electrical timing apparatus had
been installed, but unfortunately it failed to
record the time on the first run, this being timed
by hand. Yet again his attempt on the record had
been thwarted by the inadequate timing apparatus.
Campbell had the opportunity to return to Fanoe
in August, but only agreed to do so if the timing
was improved and also approved by the Commission
Sportive. Accordingly they borrowed the official RAC
apparatus, which was operated by the official
timekeeper from Brooklands. All now looked set for a
good record attempt and Campbell returned with the
car in August. Large numbers of spectators lined the
course to watch the attempt, but they were far too
close for safety and Campbell's protests on the
matter were ignored.
On the first run the car went well, but skidded,
and both rear tyres came off. Luckily he managed to
stop safely, and the rear tyres were replaced. On
the return run the car started to veer towards the
spectators as the tail swung out. Campbell found it
difficult to control the car and the front offside
tyre came off as the car skidded. He managed to keep
on a straight course as he crossed the finishing
line but unfortunately the tyre ran into the crowd
and hit a small boy, who died from his injuries. The
meeting was then abandoned.
Undaunted, Campbell took the car to Pendine Sands
near Camarthen, South Wales, where he
achieved his first major success. On September 25th
he achieved a new world land speed record of
146.16 mph. He returned again on
21st July, 1925 and raised the record to
150.78 mph. |
