Современное автомобилестроение. Сахарова Н.С. - 96 стр.

     17.12 Text 12
                                     Motor Sport

    Ever since the early days of motoring, manufacturers have realised the publicity
potential of their products being successful in motoring competitions. The reputation
of many companies have been founded on certain races, Bentley and Jaguar at Le
Mans for instance. Motor sports became the test-bed for technical development
notably in tyres, brakes, lights and engine performance.
    The world’s toughest sports car event is the Le Mans 24 Hour Race. Hours upon
hours of sustained high speed strain drivers and cars to the limit. Outstanding cars
with numerous victories in this race have included the Bentley 3 litre, Alfa Romeo
8c, Jaguar C and D types, Ford GT 40 and Porsche.
    Rallies evolved from trials events held in the early 1900s. These long distance
trials like the German Herkomer Trophy of 1904 were tests of reliability but they
were generally leisurely affairs. The world’s toughest rally today is the East Africa
Safari. Drivers can experience tropical storms, scorching heat, dust and the roughest
tracks. Only a faction of the starting cars survive this punishing event. The once
prestigious Monte Carlo Rally began in 1911 and required cars to start from various
points in Europe to converge on Monaco. The British R.A.C. Rally is now Europe’s
toughest rally.
    Hill climbs provided exciting sport for amateur drivers at very little cost. Shelsley
Walsh, Worcestershire became Britain’s most famous hill climb, with its heyday in
the 1920s and 30s.

   Exercise 1. Read the text and answer the question “Why are sports cars and motor
sports the test – bed for technical development?”


     17.13 Text 13
                                   Record Breakers

   The fastest car event driven went at 739 m.p.h. – the speed of a rifle bullet. This
was Stan Barratt in 1979 but this speed is not an official record. To achieve a World
Land Speed Record a car must be driven through a measured mile, turn around and
refuel within one hour and return through the mile again. The final speed figure is an
average of the two runs as timed by F.I.A. officials. Barratt’s rocket car could only
make a one way run.
   The first Land Speed Record was set by an electric car at 39.24 m.p.h. in 1898. As
record speeds increased so the sites for attempts changed, beginning with ordinary
roads and race tracks to long beaches and huge desert plains. Popular sites included
Daytona Beach, Florida and Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.
   Electric, steam and petrol engines have all achieved record speeds but by the
1960s rocket power had appeared. In 1970 Gary Gabelich, a trained astronaut, drove
Blue Flame to a new record of 622.407 m.p.h. The rocket engine was based on

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