Rumblings, August 1931

kumbitnas

7411, nOAIIIERGES

f either sprint events, either speed trials or hill

climbs are now rare indeed, there are still a few surviving events held on private roads, and among these the affairs held at Race Hill, Lewes, by the Kent and Sussex club, is a very cheery affair.

The last event held here was on June 27th, when the most perfect weather favoured those who went up to the Downs to watch and take part in it.

The hill as such is of no great length or gradient, and the 500 yard course contains nothing to worry anybody. On the other hand, the good surface gives fine opportunities for real practice in the art of getting off the mark, and the faster cars can raise a very useful speed in the distance.

The single seater Frazer-Nash, the “Terror,” with its supercharged Anzani engine and absolutely minimum avoirdupois holds the course record in 20 secs. from a standing start, an average of over 51 m.p.h., which gives a probable maximum over the finish of something near the 90 m.p.h. mark.

The ” Terror ” was here on this occasion, together with many other habitues of this venue, with the Conan Doyle brothers much in evidence with the “Slug,” and the special Frazer-Nash with an O.H.V. ” blown ” engine which used to function at the track in the hands of Frazer-Nash himself in the past. It was resplendent in a new coat of white and looked really neat and went well, putting up, on its best run, 22 2/5 secs. for the course, which proved to be the fastest time of the day. It is a great pity that we do not

see more of this fine little car in other events, especially in something with corners, where the well known stability of this type of car could be used to advantage. The ” Slug ” on the Mountain circuit should do well.

Other interesting vehicles at Lewes were Bertram’s old Indianapolis Sunbeam which went very well, and also A. M. Leitch’s “Poppet 10,” this being an ultra skeleton G.N. of the push-rod O.H.V. conversion variety.

In actual running it was not quite as ” Davenport ” as it looked, but it went up the course in 29 secs. odd many times, which is no mean feat in, itself. One of the best shows of the day was that of Baker’s Salmson which displayed terrific acceleration and won the 1100 c.c. supersports and racing classes. The ” Terror ” was somewhat fractious on this occasion and the

very hot weather did not seem to agree with the carburation. He got going a bit better after some adjustments, but never went more than half way up the course on all cylinders, though its acceleration for the first portion of the course was better than anything we have ever seen.

Road -racing Surfaces.

Rumours are abroad that the Royal Automobile Club may move the car Tourist Trophy Race from Belfast to the Isle of Man in 1932. If this change of venue should be adopted, certain alterations and improvements to the Motorcycle T.T. course (if used) would be necessary to make it suitable for cars at modern racing speeds and it is to be hoped that, profiting from recent experience in road races, a non-skid surface dressing would be employed similar to that used this year in Phoenix Park, and which

Lewes Speed Trials.