Robert’s racing successes during these times are well documented elsewhere:  An astonishing 49.2 seconds at Shelshely in a car that lacked front wheel brakes, combined with a best ever time at Prescott of 53.48s; now forever captured by that famous picture of No.1 exiting Pardon on two wheels.  One sometimes forgets that, at 84, Racing Car No.1 is no longer in the prime of it’s life (I have been struggling to determine the gender), and I recall reading correspondence alternately praising and abhorring the use of such machinery in the manner for which it was originally intended.

Robert took on the mantle of ownership in a different age, the car was younger, and - to be scrupulously fair - standards were different.  It was his policy - some may say trademark - to drive No.1 to and from the circuits at which he was competing.  In this respect, the fact that the car was and is licensed for the road gave Robert the rare opportunity of familiarising himself with its characteristics before joining battle.  More than one correspondent has, over the years, commented that the pleasure of watching Robert and No.1 competing at such-and-such a meeting was only surpassed by the thrill of being overtaken by the same pair on the M1 going home.  As an Engineer, and MD of an engineering company, Robert could make or repair parts quickly and cheaply, and went to sometimes extreme lengths to chase the performance ideal, but very firmly with a 1923 hat on.  So the car never gained front wheel brakes, for example, but the conrods were machined and lightened to the absolute limit, and it was this that was ultimately to lead to near disaster.

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