Trying to describe Don Garlits

Two of my friends and myself from Cornwall were also at a drag meeting in 1964 but I seem to remember it being somewhere in Gloucestershire. (Editor, do you know where?)

On one occasion during the day I was standing at the finishing line when Don Garlits’ car was pushed up the strip a little way to start it. As soon as it fired up we knew we were in for something special. It returned to the start area and lined up. There was almost silence; then suddenly huge bursts of flame from the vertical exhausts, an even bigger cloud of smoke and a millisecond later, the sound. Seemingly before I could blink it had passed me. Apart from that, all I remember is the severe distortion of the driving tyres... All impossible to describe. I think the time was in the low 9s on that occasion, but for me it was the spectacle and the sound.

There were a number of events in the 1st International Drag Festival tour held at different venues, but this sounds like it might have been the single day meeting which was held at the RAF Kemble airfield near Gloucester on October 3, 1964. Ed.

A gold star for the Gold Star

You invited comments on the Mahindra Gold Star (News, OBM439).

A couple of years ago I bought a Royal Enfield Interceptor which I have found to be an excellent machine, economical, smooth and so easy to live with. If the new Gold Star is half as good, then I would certainly buy one.

It looks good and as near to the original as modern standards allow. Electric start is a massive bonus and keeps old legs on the road. I could not anticipate a problem in setting up a dealer network. Indeed, many of the Enfield dealers would welcome the addition of this classic brand. Good luck BSA!