Page 10 - Austin Healey 100S

RECORD BREAKING taking on the past The Healey Endurance car was completed in July The higher speeds achieved at the Millbrook test A wind tunnel test took place in mid April to see if 2008 and final setup tests were concluded in Oct facility were bordering on the scary, as the original improvements could be made to the 2008 with great success. The car achieved its configuration made from the Bonneville settings aerodynamics, and significant lessons were learnt target speed of 147.2 mph, very close to the were too harsh leading to some skittishness, which about the flow of air on the front of the car and theoretical maximum of the original wind tunnel you do not need at nearly 150 mph. through the bodywork, further minor corrections analysis calculated in the days when the car was In a test on 19th March 2009 at Millbrook proving were then undertaken to make that vital difference designed. to outright drag and speed. ground during a one hour constant-run it exceeded The 1954 works Healey car achieved a 132.81 the speed achieved by its predecessor by 10 mph. The car made an attempt on the 1000 km mph average for 1000 kilometres. The recreated This test was the first outing in 2009 with those endurance record in Nov 2009. car built with the ambition to 'exceed all non improvements on board. The purpose of the test supercharged Healey records' has been developed was to run the car for a one-hour constant-test to continuously during the winter to try to better the check long distance running and driver experience works record car achievements. at the wheel and to see how well the engine could Late 2008 tests had proved the cars straight line pull the tall diff ratio that had been calculated to be speed but further work was required on required to run at high speed whilst not suspension and aerodynamics to suit the 2 mile overstressing the engine which might lead to failure circular Millbrook track designated for a record over a long distance. attempt. For detailed information go to: www.healeyendurance.com For parts go to:www.bighealey.co.uk www.bighealey.co.uk