FLAMES IN THE COCKPIT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21413, 4 March 1935, Page 11

FLAMES IN THE COCKPIT

♦ Narrow Escape of Sir, Malcolm Campbell EXCITING TRIAL RUN AT DAYTONA (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) DAYTONA BEACH (Cal.), Mar. 2. Sir Malcolm Campbell, in a trial, reached 233.63 miles an hour on a southward run, and 208.212 on a northward. The beach was lumpy in spots. Sir Malcolm said the test was the worst he had ever experienced, and said that he had been close to a serious accident when heat from the exhaust heated the cowling on the motor to such an extent that flames were diverted into the cockpit. He was almost gassed into unconsciousness. He will possibly attack the record on Sunday or Monday. Experts believe that Sir Malcolm could have done 300 miles an hou? when the cowling broke loose.. He was speeding at 233 miles an hour and the Bluebird was running beautifully when the heat from the exhaust pipes melted the motor covering. The wind whipped it loose, and exhaust flames poured into the cockpit. The heat was so great that Sir Malcolm said his first thought was: "I'm on fire." The car swerved, and he fought for control as it crossed the black oil streak laid down on the course for his guidance. The tyres threw oil-soaked sand into his face. "It was the closest squeak I ever had. I hope I'm never so close again," he said. "I must have been doing 250 miles an hour, and the Bluebird was picking up marvellously. The fumes were so bad that I could scarcely breathe." He cut the motors down and went through a measured mile on the south run (always his fastest) at 188.186 miles an hour. He turned the car at the south end, the mechanics bolting on the heat-twisted cowl.

"I know I had no chance for any kind of speed, but the crowd expected, a show, and I thought I should do my part," said Sir Malcolm. He started back, doing 208.212 miles an. hour in a measured mile. The Bluebird was accelerating again when the left side of the cowling, now white hot, collapsed and he was in the same desperate situation again. He throttled down the motors as the fumes poured in. The best average on any one mile was 205.363 miles an hour. "The car rode well," Sir Malcolm said, "but the beach was so rough that I would have been thrown out if I was not strapped in. I am deaf, and I am aching all over, but the Bluebird will be ready to-morrow. The motors were perfect to-day."