New rules allow steam car to run

The recreation of the 1905 White Steam Racer, known as ‘Whistling Billy’, will make its competition debut at Chateau Impney this weekend.

Until last September, the MSA banned steam cars from taking part in competitive motorsport but Whistling Billy’s owner and builder, Bob Dyke, has now persuaded the governing body to allow it to compete. The original car was successful in US in the early 1900s.

“I’ve been writing letters and communicating with the MSA for a while now to try to get permission to compete,” said Dyke. “I think that Billy is a class above – when it’s going well, it goes like stink. The real challenge is to get it on the hill.”

An excellent entry of Edwardian cars also includes the spectacular 1905 Darracq of Mark Walker and Duncan Pittaway in the 1911 Fiat S76.