Miscellany, August 2002

It was good that at the VSCC’s British Empire Trophy Meeting there was a 10-lap race for vintage Bentleys. Out of a field of 16, the winner was Randal Stewart’s 3/4.5 which averaged 58.91mph, with a best lap of 61.32mph. A close second was Brian Cook’s 3/4.5 and the famous ‘Bluebell’ was third, driven by George Sandy.

The VSCC also held a race for Morgan three-wheelers at Cadwell Park, round three of a series. A field of 18 took part in the six-lapper, C Reynolds’ JAP-engined Super Sports winning by 11.5sec, at 65mph, from Caroline’s JTOR-JAP Aero Morgan, with Sue Darbishire’s F4 Ford-powered E93a third.

Another event which went off well was the Centenary Celebration of the MCC and MAC at Brooldands on May S. Bikes and cars numbered 63 for the Banking Trial and 20 for the Test Hill ascents. Overall winners, judged on speed and regularity, were M Pearson (1954 replica Dellow)/ N Bray (1936 Ford Special); Best ‘veteran’ performance (age of driver and car) went to T Nicholson (1930 Riley 9). Class victors were: Closed cars: A Tucker-Peake (1985 Peugeot 205 GTi)/P Chandler (1965 Hillman Imp); Open cars: D Welch (1960 Austin-Healey Sprite)/H Foster (1973 Morgan Plus 8); Pre-War cars: B Bennett (1933 J2 MG)/S Dear (1927 Wolseley 16/45). There was, too, a very interesting display of 120 vehicles. A fine programme includes great picture-covers of MCC High-Speed Trials on the Track, as well as 56 shots of typical MCC/MAC vehicles along the years, Club histories, and Ian Wiffiamson’s 100 Years of Trials Cars, etc. This will become a collector’s item, so try Mr Williamson (fax 01993 823366) to see if any remain.