Wednesday 2nd July 2014

The Flying Mile World Record: Time For Tea?

Norman Dewis recounts the last speed record set on the Jabbake highway back in 1953

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"I've told Lofty you can go into Brussels and have a little bit of a party tonight. But don't forget Dewis, champagne's very expensive".

And that was how Norman Dewis was told to celebrate his 172mph flying mile world record of 1953 by William Lyons. Driving an XK120, it was the last flying mile record to be set on the Jabbeke motorway as the authorities deemed it too unsafe. When Norman describes members of the public climbing across the central reservation to watch you can't help but think that was probably the right thing to do.

The interview is conducted by Alan Henry, the perfect choice for such a discussion as he lets Norman talk for the vast majority of it. Listen out in particular for the issues on fitting the roof canopy and how much the car weaved around on the record run. All part of the adventure if Dewis's enthusiasm is anything to go by. What an amazing achievement.

See the video here, or a shorter three-minute version here.

 

 

[clubsportguy]

Where can I get a copy of the photo which Norman is signing??? I have met Norman a few time and he is a one of kind guy

[AlisterOliver]

I always remember going to the factory to see my Dad. These guys were just walking around the factory doing their daily jobs and was I sitting in the corner of my dads office playing with my hot wheels because the baby sitter had called out sick. The other option was to go with mum on such days, which meant sitting in the lunch room at a Nat West in Nuneaton....... Such fond memories and glad I always chose the factory to hang out in.

[Gixeh]

What a great interview.....the guy is a legend and so relaxed yet you can see the spark in his eyes when discussing parts of it.

Really enjoyed that!

[427James]

Awesome. I have run mine at 100 and that can be a bit scary on crossplies if there is a side wind or the road is lumpy. These people were a different breed, possibly the same sort of unhinged lack of fear of death as the TT guys have.

[sideways man]

Top man,great car.

[f328nvl]

Always great to hear Norman Dewis a surviving voice from a relatively recent, but fast disappearing, past.

Met him and loved his stories of the E-Type development.

http://www.honestjg.com/2014/03/f-type-jaguar-30s....