magazine - Bentley Drivers Club NSW

In no time a flat-bed recovery truck had my Bentley aboard
with me still in the driver’s seat, the recovery truck’s driver
well chuffed at having a Bentley on his vehicle. To avoid
delay to the following event we tucked into a marshal’s lay
by where I enjoyed a superb view of the Porsches at play
from my elevated position sitting in the Bentley atop the
truck. My car was cooling and I had a prime spot, it could
not get any better than this.
Some technical assistance
from Grant Cowie revealed
that my coil/distributor
timing was at odds with
that of my Magneto and
with Grant’s help, I was
able to continue the next
day. Each day we had a full
session, which was really a
flat out blast for around 20
minutes. The two Bentleys
circulated with each other,
Tony and I pushing each
other as much as we felt
comfortable without being
silly. At least, I think that we
were comfortable and I don’t
think we were silly. I’m sure
that we went seriously quickly but I was too busy to see just
how fast. I was intrigued that I was approached several
times after each session
by strangers who asked
“What is that you are doing
outside the car?” Wise to
the F1 spying scandals,
I did not let on that I was
sure that those F1 spies
and talent scouts were
studying at my technique
and wanting to tell the likes
of Alonso and Hamilton. I
just smiled enigmatically
and mysteriously, as you
do. Each time I changed
t h e s u b j e c t w i t h o u t
divulging my secrets but
I’ll share it with the select
readers of this respected
journal. Well, what I was
doing was hauling upon the handbrake, right up to my
armpit, as I changed down. I needed every bit of retardation
that I could get.
Trying to drift a two tonne motor car is not for the faint
hearted. It is amazing how a drift or a slide towards
those concrete barriers lining the street circuit makes one
concentrate. Having to cope with fast fading brakes, crash
gearbox, and the complexity of a spirited drive in a vintage
car is challenging, especially with the speed differential of
the various historic racing cars
Not your average Sunday drive
Syd & Nicki flying down the straight
13
on track at the same time. The overriding impressions for
me were that the Grand Prix circuit may be fast and flowing
in a more modern car, but it is tight as a ducks underneath
in a 2 tonne Bentley. Those bloody ducks again.
Most of all, the experience on a modern race track added
to the respect that I feel towards the brave men who raced
our cars ‘for real’. The Bentley Boys hit 120 mph down
the Mulsanne Straight for
the 24 hours of Le Mans,
travelling at those speeds
during day and during the
night, and they were driving
on dirt!
Grand Prix day arrived and
the organisers were taking
no chances. This day
followed a different format,
and we were encouraged to
take as many passengers
as we had seats, but no
overtaking was allowed. It
was especially enjoyable to
be able to share the heady
Grand Prix experience with
Nicki, our son and also my
nephew. But our fifth passenger proved a bonus. As
we were leaving the paddock I spied Margaret Ealand,
understanding partner
of Roger Ealand, - he
who organises ‘Speed on
Tweed’. Roger drives a
single seater so there she
was, all alone. In no time
we’d squeezed her in as
well. Thundering between
the grandstands on a street
circuit is special, roaring
between the barriers and
waving at the crowds a
real treat. Margaret noisily
saluted the crowd with both
arms wildly waving, adding
enthusiastic rebel yells
and “WoooHooo” and her
infectious enthusiasm was
an extra bonus for us.
And the Bentley? It was strong. At Grant’s recommendation
I sent it to Simon Elliott at The Derby Works after the Grand
Prix and had the radiator flushed. I gave Simon a wish list
of the things I’d like to have done in the event that he had
the time, and he knocked over my long list, to my complete
satisfaction. A few weeks later we collected the car as
planned and toured Tasmania with the VSCC and a large
group of WO Bentleys. Ah, but that is another story.
Syd Reinhardt