nylon shirts in gearboxes

["Johnny Storm: International racing car driver" <hiu06f@bangor.ac.uk>]

I'm intrigued by the tale of the nylon shirt in the gearbox,
that was mentioned a few days ago. I assume this was to reduce the noise 
from the box or something. Whats the whole story???

Johnny (about to go to the nearest charity shop)Storm

'77 Spit 1500