The Complete Bentley by Eric Dymock

Author:Eric Dymock
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978–0–9554909–6–5
Publisher: Dove Publishing Ltd
Published: 2011-04-07T16:00:00+00:00

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1934

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AXN 373 E R Hall

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There was no doubt about Rolls-Royce’s views on motor racing. Yet Arthur (later Sir Arthur) Sidgreaves, who joined from Napier and as managing director had been largely responsible for the purchase of Bentley, saw some merit in a little sub rosa attachment to the sport. Racing driver Eddie Hall had bought one of the first 3½ Litre cars, a touring 4-seater by ED Abbott of Farnham, trying it out in practice for the Mille Miglia in which he had entered an MG Magnette. He was so impressed with the car that he approached Sidgreaves with the idea of entering a Bentley in the 1934 TT, a handicap race on the Ards circuit in Northern Ireland. Sidgreaves could see the value of some surreptitious support and sought out WA Robotham, the far-sighted assistant chief of the experimental department for help. Hall had it rebodied, Offord of Portman Square did a lightweight 4-seater with a lot of Elektron and Duralumin, and finished second in the TT, making fastest lap at 81.5mph. His average speed of 78.4mph (126.1kph) was nearly 10mph (16kph) faster than any of the Cricklewood 4½s. Hall came second again the following year with a 4½ litre engine, and again in 1936 narrowly failed to beat the handicappers, despite having the fastest car in the field. With Le Mans in mind Rolls-Royce obligingly ran the engine at full throttle for 24 hours, as a means of reassuring itself that it would last the distance, but unfortunately the 1936 race was called off owing to industrial unrest in France. Hall had at least four Derby Bentleys, which were modified and rebodied over the years, reappearing with one in 1950 at Le Mans with an unflattering coupé top, where it finished 8th. He drove it with TG Clarke, a creditable performance for a design getting close to 20 years old, against modern opposition that included the almost undisguised winning grand prix 4.5 Talbot, and a 5.4 litre Allard that was placed 3rd. The Bentley outpaced new Jaguar XK120s as well as HSF Hay and HC Hunter in the Embiricos car (qv) before gaining a place in the Briggs Cunningham Collection.

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