1-193-954 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

Raymond Mays' Bugatti loses a wheel, (early 1930s?). Mays looks remarkably calm as a wheel flies off the left side of his car. Mays was a racing driver of the pre-war period, and played an important role in the creation of the ERA (English Racing Automobiles Ltd) and BRM (British Racing Motors) cars. He started racing in 1921 with a Hillman, specialising in hillclimbs and sprint events. He also raced Bugattis, ACs and Vauxhalls. With Victor Riley he built the 'White Riley' and with the sponsorship from Humphrey Cook the project developed into the ERA. Mays was co-founder and head driver of the team and the cars were built on his home yard at Bourne. In 1937 ERA and Mays dominated the Voiturette season. In 1939 Mays raced his ERA as an independent. After the war Mays continued to compete but gradually became engaged in promoting BRM. He retired from racing after the 1949 International Trophy.