While attempting to convey the glorious sound of a big Healey that won the heart of our man Allan, we showed a quick video yesterday of a short drive in an Austin Healey road car. Some of us found that video a bit less than inspiring. Gary Faules went hunting and came up with this incredible segment of Mark Schmidt in his Healey 3000 Mk I.
This is no country drive mind you. This is the first 2 laps of the European Historic Grand Prix at Zolder in 2005 and Schmidt absolutely decimates the field when he starts from behind. Off the line, listen to the incredible revs needed to launch the car with its full race clutch. You can actually see the front end lift and the car squirming as it fights for traction while it leaves all the small bore cars standing still. Talk about asleep at the switch. I swear a couple of them hadn’t even moved when Schmidt went by them. Then, keep an eye out for the Fiat 500 that almost runs him off the road, followed by the Renault Alpine that nearly does the same. Wake up guys, when a faster car starts behind you, you had better be ready for him to go by. At the end of the 2nd lap, no fewer than 29 cars have been passed!
Now this is the sound of an Austin Healey!