Those chasing the fastest lap times would race near the steepest, highest edge of the bank —circumstances under which staying in contact with the ground is, acc

Those chasing the fastest lap times would race near the steepest, highest edge of the bank —circumstances under which staying in contact with the ground is, according to conventional wisdom, a good idea. I love the understated humor of this article. And for different reasons, this is another wonderful bit from the piece: This left only the logistical problem of how to get the restrictors to Fighter Command airfields in good time. Shilling organized a small band of engineers to assist, though inevitably she travelled up and down the country solo, and by her preferred mode of travel: her trusty Norton motorcycle. By then she’d made the small concession, perhaps under duress, to detune the Norton somewhat to make it more suitable for public roads. “Her appearance at airfields with a bag of tools and a brisk manner became something of a legend,” I'm also really happy to see these bits: It was due to these ongoing narrow margins in battle that we can be sure Shilling’s innovation saved lives. “Beatrice Shilling helped us to win World War II —of that there is no doubt,” he told the BBC in 2017. Her war efforts weren’t limited to improvements to the Merlin engine. She also contributed to a range of engines to improve starting in freezing conditions, and operation at higher altitudes.