Any competitor could fly the course any time after 7 a.m. during the day, and times were compared afterwards to ascertain the winner.
Raynham was the last of all the competitors to start, and it was a very melancholy moment for England when, with Tait Cox standing by his disqualified machine, and Harry, hands in pocket and no machine, Raynham was seen to descend after the first lap owing to oil trouble.
Harry and Raynham, staunch friends and rivals since the days of the Michelin Cup incident in 1912, consoled each other, bemoaning their “same old rotten luck as usual.” And who had attempted more, from the days when flying was a very risky hobby, and failed so often, than these two sportsmen? The Trophy was won outright by the French.
Early in December it was arranged that Harry should attempt to break world’s records for short distances with the 450 h.p. Sunbeam. A day was chosen and the track booked for the event. A very large gathering of the Press sat down to an excellent luncheon, but the weather clerk did not approve of the proceedings, as rain fell heavily all the morning. Hopes were entertained of the track drying after lunch, as the rain had ceased, but these hopes were not fulfilled. However, during the afternoon Harry took the car round for a few laps, but although a speed of nearly 125 m.p.h. was attained, it was not a fair test of the car, as owing to the wet and greasy state of the track the wheels failed to grip and most of the power was lost. The revolution counter showed a speed of 140 miles per hour had the wheels gripped the track.
It was disappointing to the many people present, but one cannot back the English weather in December, and it was visibly unsafe to attempt anything further on such a wet day.
CHAPTER XX
MOTOR ENGINEERING AND RACING
Formation of the Hawker Engineering Company—The Racing A.C.—Amusing Experiences—Remarkable Performances Due to Efficient Streamlining—Several Records Broken—An Accident—The Hawker Two-stroke Motor-cycle.