The Bentley Drivers Club’s Annual Sprint was once again held at the MIRA Proving Ground, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire on Saturday 9th May 2009.

The main results of the Bentley Drivers Club MIRA Sprint are here and the TVR's results here

Have a look at the pictures and then scroll down for a few words by a casual observer.

Anthony Fletcher On The Line In His 4½		Simon Worthington On The Line In His Continental GT		Stuart Worthington Heads Off In His Turbo R		Guy Northam Prepares For The Start In His MkVI Special
Edmund Fletcher Under Way		Michael Smith In His 3 Ltr Goes For a Time		Iain Warner In His 3 Ltr		Ron Dowle Blasts Off The Line
				Pictures - Scott Simpson
William Elbourn Gets Ready For a Run		Ron Warmington In His Mighty 4½ Supercharger

MIRA SPRINT MEETING – 9TH MAY 2009-05-11

Smiling faces, quality banter, a son clandestinely seeking tips on how to beat Dad in Dad’s 4½; these are some of the ingredients for a most agreeable congregation of competitors in a Paddock – in this case the MIRA Sprint on 9th May. We all had a splendid day with some awesome revelations to your casual observer.

A 3 litre on 8 to 1 blowing off the 4½ litres.   A 3 litre failing to blow off the 4½ Litres due to a slipping cone.   

A Blower 4½ restricted to 120mph at 2200 while running in.   With baited breath we wait for reports of the magic 180 mph at 3300 – it probably will too with a 5.3 block and blowing at 10 PSI.   Will it pull 4000?   Will it take off at 170mph like Jumbo Goddard’s 3/8T did at Ghent?

A Bentley Royce V12 which sounded fabulous but seemed to lack a gear somewhere. A newish W12 Continental silently blowing off everyone else.

Breathless with all this excitement, your observer had to rush to the hair netted hostesses of the bacon butty stall for a restorative cup of tea to quell his blood pressure before blowing off himself.

Such was the delightful day of camaraderie and exhibition of driving skills enjoyed by the members who competed in the MIRA Sprint meeting, conducted with informal efficiency by the Club Office team.

Great motor sport combined with good fellowship does not come much better than this event – so make a date to come next May and have some serious fun.

By a casual observer.

Sprint Route map here