Arnott 500 |
Following Kieft and Cooper record breaking success in 1950 and '51, Arnott built a streamlined car, using Norton engines of 350cc and 500cc, to make record attempts at Montlhéry in August 1953. Gerald Smith was slated to drive but was injured so, after several postponements, they eventually ran in October with John Brise at the wheel. In fact, the delay proved fortuitous as John Cooper had set new records on the 8th using the new Mk VIII streamlined car and many of these were promptly trumped by Piero Taruffi in the Tarf car. The Arnott finally ran on 28th October setting 500cc records for 50, 100 and 200 km, 50, 100 and 200 miles and 1 and 3 hours with a fastest single lap of 122 mph. In July 1954, Arnott returned to Montlhéry to attack the 750cc records using a Norton 600cc. Sadly, a conrod break caused Gerald Smith to crash. The car was wrecked and Gerald sustained serious leg injuries.
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