British Motor Corporation logo. "BMC presents - B.M.C. Does it Again." Check copyright.
Wendover, United States of America - a small town on the brink of the Utah salt flats is the location for a speed test of British Motor Corporation cars. Austin Healey and M.G. teams are attempting to break speed records in 1959.
The Austin Healey Sprite is seen being towed on a trailer. Narrator gives details of the car and the record she is about to try and break.
M/S of large sign beside the road which reads: "This is the world's fastest racing course. Bonneville Salt Flats, Tooele County, Utah. Major records set with ... Mobil Fuels & Mobiloil. Do not Enter Unless Policed."
L/S of the car being towed on to the salt flats and unloaded from the trailer. Tommy Wisdom (?), Gus Erman (?) and Ed Levens (?) are the men who will make an attempt on the record.
The narrator describes the track and we follow a truck as it lays a trail of oil to mark the track.
A dredger follows, flattening the course. L/S of the truck pulling a large wooden construction which flattens any lumps and bumps.
We then see the timing cables being laid. A man sits on the bonnet of a car which has the words: "United States Auto Club" painted on the side door. He is guiding the timing cables.
The temperature of the salt is measured, as is the atmosphere pressure. Various shots of men taking readings.
Night shots - some of the men work through the night. Various shots of men checking the car in a floodlit building.
M/S of the car being pushed onto the track. Driver Tommy Wisdom walks towards the car as the narrator tells us the conditions of the track. Tommy is briefed by George Eastern (sp?). Tommy puts on his driving helmet and climbs into the car. He pulls on his goggles and closes down the roof of the car.
L/S of the car being waved off. It speeds past the camera and begins its record beating challenge. Various shots of the car zooming around the track. Man stands beside the track and performs a "stop watch check". The car is waved in by its mechanics and under an awning advertising "Castrol" there is a pit stop. Men work on the car, filling it with petrol and checking the tires etc.
They change driver - Gus Erman (?) takes his turn. He drives off into the distance.
Various shots of the progress of the Sprite being checked in a control booth and on the track. Various shots of the car speeding around the track. Another pit stop. Various shots of checks being made on the car. Ed Levens (?) takes his turn at the wheel. Low angle shot of cameraman turning his camera to follow the car.
Tommy and George Eastern (?) sit at a table having a cup of tea and discussing the Sprite's progress.
More shots of the car travelling at speed accompanied by groovy music.
Change of drivers for the last leg - Tommy Wisdom will drive the final section. Low angle shot of the car driving away from the camera. Man waves the chequered flag.
M/S of the drivers all shaking hands. Narrator recounts all the records that have been broken.
L/S of the salt flats - they have been flooded by heavy rain. Phil Hill takes out the M.G. to tackle the two litre record. The salt has dried out sufficiently for the record attempt. Various shots of the car being prepared. X181 M.G will try to exceed 250 miles per hour but there are big doubts as to whether it will succeed due to the imperfect conditions. Various checks are made on the car.
Phil discusses attempt with George Eastern and the crew. He puts on his driving helmet and gets into the car. Various shots of men in the control booth. The M.G. begins its speed attempt. Shots of the car, the marked out track, aerial shot of the car as it speeds along the track. Narrator states that the attempt has been successful. The car has exceeded 250 miles per hour. "now everyone can relax." Phil and George shake hands in front of a poster advertising MG and Castrol.
Rolling credits list the records broken by the Sprite and M.G. End credit states: "Edited and Recorded by Associated British Pathe.
Note: groovy jazz soundtrack!
FILM ID:2933.04
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