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Chassis:
Prince B.Bira's third ERA was R12B, first constructed in 1936. Its history combines a long list of victories with an even longer list of modifications and rebuilds, as was very much the custom in the day. Fitted with a 2 litre engine, it was first campaigned by Raymond Mays with some success at the end of the 1936 season. It was rebuilt as a C-Type in the following winter with a revised front suspension and hydraulic brakes. The 2 litre was replaced by the smaller 1.5 litre unit, to make the now R12C eligible for voiturette racing. In the hands of various works drivers, including Mays, R12C had a fairly successful 1937 season.
At the end of the year it was sold to Prince B.Bira's cousin for the Prince to drive. Like his previous ERAs, R12C was christened with a nick-name; 'Hanuman'. The Prince continued the chassis' winning record up into 1939, when he crashed it heavily. He escaped with some minor injuries, but his ERA was badly damaged. With no C-Type chassis available, R12 was once again built up to B-Type specification and from then was known as R12B 'Hanuman II'.
After the War, B.Bira recorded another victory before selling it. In total R12B/C recorded 16 major contemporary victories and many more in historic racing, in which it campaigns up until this date. In the 1980s, R12B's owner used a bunch of spare parts to 'rebuild' R12C 'Hanuman', which is also raced regularly. R12B 'Hanuman II' is seen here competing in the 2004 Nürburgring Old Timer Grand Prix.
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