The Washington times., 1935-03-28

two dozen luncheon guests to
whom he Was introduced by
George w. Offutt, of the local
A. A. A. advisory board at the
Willard yesterday, and in such
a simple manner he accredited
his achievements to almost any
other element except his own
expertness.
Sir Malcolm has no idea Of
retiring from speed attempts.
81 will continue until am
too old to drive, and / have
not reached that point yet.
81 will be back in England
within a weeks time, and my
immediate future depends upon
the situation which my cOun.
try is facing. There is no de-
nying the gloom which is en-.
composing England at this
time. The moment Of my next
onslaught against speed records
depends entirely on the iInme.
diate international situation"
A Real Champion
There probably isn't a more
simon pure champion the world
over than Sir Malcolm Camp
bell. That is to say he is mo-
tivated by no ulterior purposes.
Springing from a family of
wealthy diamond merchants and
following the insurance broker
age business largely as an avoca-
tion, he financed all of his
speed exploits with practically
no outside subsidy. He has spent
100000 on the present Blue
bird which carries the original
engine, but that's about all.
He jokingly speaks of his
insurance background-he holds
a seat in Lloyds Of London-as
being not so secure that he is
able to get any broker to in
sure his life on any Of his speed
efforts.
He has a weakness for blue
in the color schemes of all the
cars he has driven. He doesn't
admit this fondness amounts to
a superstition, yet no other hue.
can decorate his high-powered
land rockets.
Started in 1922
His first attempt at a worlds
speed record was in 1922 when
he made an unofficial mark of
1876 m.p.h. at Yorkshire. In
1928 he bettered this by two
miles, but a technicality also
kept that mark from becoming
official. It was made IN Den
mark and slip-up in timing
deprived him of having. that
figure accepted by speed au.
thorities. ''''
The following year, 1924, over
the Danish course, Sir Malcolm
came as near to experiencing a
fatality as he ever has during
his racing career. The tires Of
his racer actually fell off the
wheels and only 'This 1uck'' en-.
abled his car to remain up
right. .,......... .....
The incident didn't feaze him,
as he removed his efforts to
Wales, where he created his first
major speed record at Pendine
Sands, 146 miles per hour, which
was recognized by all authori-
ties as y record.
Encouraged, Sir Malcolm was
back at Pendine the following
year and lifted his speed to $50
miles per hour. Time passed,
and his countryman, the late
Major Segrave, established a
mark of 2O3.79 in 1927, which
in 1928, Campbell stretched to
206.956 m. p. h. Within two
months, Ray Keach came along
and topped that with a 207.55.
BeCCer Each year
The next year, 1929, Major Sc
grave succeeded in going 231.63,
but 1881 saw Sir Malcolm STEP
up the Bluebird to 245 and a
fraction and better that mark
by eight miles the following
year.
Then came Campbell'S noted
272.108, which stood until early
this month, when he dashed
through the measured mile at
Daytona Beach at the current
undiSputed speed Of 276.S16-a
mark which Campbell believes
can be bettered when beach con-
ditionS are favorable
He is in no sense a speed
maniac as the auto drivers
around Indianapolis and AL.
toona are often called. Sir NAL
colin is just a cool, scientific
student of mechanics and equip
ment necessary to defy time and
space. A great little fellow, un-
ostentatiouS and every inch o
champion and gentleman.