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Motoring Sportsmen
Published in "Motor
Sport", February 1925
It is a matter of conjecture whether Dr. J. D.
Benjafield owes his popularity to his achievements in
bacteriology, in which science he has done so much to
relieve suffering mankind, or to his meteoric rise to
fame in the ranks of the genuine amateur racing motorist.
We have had the pleasure of witnessing him at work in
his laboratories, where virulent organisms are obedient
to his will and almost begin to suspect that he has
succeeded in cultivating some potent form of Speed Virus,
with which he has secretly innoculated the car he affectionately
calls "Baby Bentley."
Prior to the year 1923, Dr. Benjafield's interest in
motoring was confined to the use of cars for professional
purposes ; but on the water, he may justly claim more
than the average amount of motor boating experience,
until on losing his boat in adventurous circumstances,
his attention turned to motor racing.
Like so many other professional men with heavy demands
upon their energies, Dr. Benj afield felt the need for
some form of recreation to provide a complete relaxation
from his duties and decided that the Brooklands Race
Track provided a solution to the problem. As he explained,
the track is within easy reach of town, and all the
meetings are held at convenient times, so that the hobby
of track racing can be indulged in with the least interference
with his normal activities.
Possibly some professional men might be inclined to
the opinion that track racing makes too heavy a demand
Upon one's physical and nervous system, but while Dr.
Benjafield admits the need for normal physique and nerve
control, he is quite ready to recommend track racing
as an admirable hobby, which by providing one with an
intensely interesting amusement, is a great factor in
keeping one young.
The Doctor's experience as a racing motorist is extremely
interesting, in that he took it up from the zero point,"
so to speak, and the temperature chart of his enthusiasm
took an upward curve from the moment he first took the
wheel of his health reviving Bentley. Questioned as
to the possible risks of the racing novitiate, Dr. Benj
afield replied that provided one was in good condition,
chose a suitable mount, and was content to graduate
for real racing by assiduous practice, speed work at
Brooklands was but little more dangerous than ordinary
touring. "But, as an amateur," he continued,"
for the benefit of racing novices, I would urge the
necessity for achieving speed by easy stages. At eighty
miles an hour or so, there is little difficulty for
a driver of average skill, the trouble begins if one,
having become accustomed to the track at that speed,
makes a sudden attempt to travel round the hundred mark,'
for then everything seems different; and, before one
realises the fact, very awkward circumstances may arise."
In fact, Dr. Benj afield was most emphatic in the opinion
that no novice should be allowed to compete in any race
until he had satisfied the track authorities by making
a certain number of practice laps, or put in a definite
number of driving hours round the course, that he is
qualified to do so.
Speaking of his debut as an amateur racer, he expressed
his appreciation of the welcome he received from the
old hands at the game ; who, he said, were always ready
to help in any way possible and this spirit of real
sportsmanship is one of the principal attractions among
the competitors at Brooklands.
Readers are too familiar with details of the various
successes gained by Dr. Benj afield to need any reminder
in this brief sketch, but it is interesting to notice
that since he acquired the Bentley last year, the speed
of the machine has increased very considerably, and
though we are not permitted to disclose the results
of the latest tests, readers may be safe in assuming
that he hopes the car will not be any slower when it
comes to the starting line at the first meeting this
year.
Though Dr. Benjafield has little time to devote to mechanical
details, he invariably supervises any "hotting
up" processes on his car, and the extent of his
keenness in this side of racing may be judged by the
following incident. Prior to one of the important races
last year, the engine suddenly "went Bolshie "
during a practice trip, and some of the connecting rods
saw the light of day through apertures in the crankcase
they had made for the purpose. This meant some hurried
repairs, and thanks to the good services of the Bentley
Service Department, the wrecked machine was towed to
the works, where it was rebuilt from old parts in stock,
the job going on from Saturday afternoon, through the
night and on through the following day and night. The
Doctor worked almost continuously during the whole period,
then drove the car to Folkestone and back, to run the
engine in, and turning up in time for the race, was
successful in getting first place. Incidentally, on
the day of the race he went to the post with a temperature
of 103 degrees, which reminds us of the old saying "Physician
heal thyself."
Dr. Benj afield is an out-and-out Bentley enthusiast,
has a very good opinion of the Memini carburettor and
uses a very fine Bentley saloon for his professional
work. The latter is sometimes thrown out of commission
temporarily when parts are borrowed to use on "Baby
Bentley," but as far as we are able to judge, neither
suffers from the transfusion.
In discussing motor racing generally, Dr. Benjafield
remarked upon the surprising ease with which one may
gain fame, but our readers will agree that this is a
matter of opinion, for any success entails much skill
and hard work, even if the necessary facilities exist.
Notwithstanding his enthusiasm for motor racing, the
Doctor has no intention of robbing his beloved germs
of the fatherly attention he bestows upon them, so that
motoring cannot be accused of depriving the world at
large of researches, about which it knows so little,
but from which it benefits so greatly.
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