The Development of the Rover - B.R.M.

An award was offered eight years ago for the first gas turbine powered car to complete the 24 hr Le Mans Race at a minimum average speed of 150 kph (93.225 mph) and to comply with regulations for all cars entering.

The Rover Co. and Owen organization decided to pool resources in an endeavour to secure this award. In 14 weeks a complete gas turbine car was produced for official trials at Le Mans on April 6, 1963. In the race in June 1963, the target was exceeded by a considerable margin.

The paper covers the complete development of the car from inception of the project to final post-race examination, including administrative and test problems, and gives provocative thoughts for the future.