MOTOR CYCLE RACING AT BROOKLANDS DURING 1926.

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MOTOR CYCLE RACING AT BROOKLANDS DURING 1926.

Two interesting booklets have just been issued by the B.M.C.R.C. to its members—a list of worlds records up to date, and a full awards list for the events of 1926. The latter is a most enlightening document, giving as it does the place-men in every race during the season, the complete scoring for the aggregate cups in the various classes and the best lap speeds put up by all members who have competed in 3 or 5 lap races. The results of the aggregate scoring show, in a condensed form, which riders have performed best during the year, though in some instances the winner is not by any, means the fastest man ; the modest amateur should consider this fact seriously, since a regular attendance, coupled with reliability may well earn a fat total in the final score.

Students of track racing will not be surprised to learn that J. S. Wolters, riding 250 c.c. and 350 c.c. ExcelsiorJ.A.P. machines has won the aggregate prizes for 250 c.c. solos and 350 c.c. sidecars with 50 marks and 56 marks respectively, while the same persevering rider is the holder of no fewer than 22 worlds records in various classes. C. W. G. Lacey, by virtue of great reliability and a useful turn of speed annexed the 350 c.c. solo prize with 58 marks, though it is interesting to note that there are at least three men who are capable of considerably greater speed than he has ever shown. His machine is a Grindley-PeerlessJ .A.P.

A popular and thoroughly deserved win in the hotly contested 500 c.c. class should satisfy the many friends of Christopher Staniland, who rides Norton machines for R.M.N. spring. His total is 47, and he also wins the 750 c.c. prize, a performance all the more remarkable since he has performed always on a 600 c.c. machine and has defeated several 750 c.c. twins.

Nobody will grudge the 1000 c.c. solo cup to J. S. Wright, whose fearless riding of a big Zenith under the most difficult conditions is a continual source of awe and admiration, even to hardened track-men. His total is 74 and he also holds eight worlds records.

Victor Horsman is the only man to show any consistent speed in the 600 c.c. sidecar class and wins the cup with a margin of some 40 marks, and with his various Triumph machines is the holder of 20 records.

Owing to the extreme unreliability of most Brooklands big-twins H. G. Webb wins the 1000 c.c. sidecar cup with the comparatively modest total of 30 marks, though his best lap was some 20 m.p.h. slower than the best in his class. Webb and his Indian deserve credit for a consistent showing throughout the year.

With regard to the table of best lap times, some interesting light is thrown on the speeds attained by men who seldom feature in the results but who nevertheless are capable of going very swiftly ! It is strange to notice that the best published speeds of some riders in short races have been eclipsed by these same riders in long distance events ! A well known big twin rider began lapping at 110 m.p.h. in the 200 mile solo race, yet his best lap in a 5 lap race was 108 m.p.h.

On the other hand there are one or two humorous items such as a best lap of 49.07 m.p.h. on the part of another well known big twin exponent and 200 mile race winner !

Apart from the faster men it is interesting to note the speeds attained by the little-known men, amateurs on more or less standard machines and such, many of the speeds attained by these are extremely creditable, though hopelessly outclassed so far as serious track racing is concerned.