Thoughts on the "Daily Express" event

Sir,

I sincerely hope that your remarks in “Matters of Moment” will not discourage the M.C.C. and other clubs from holding events similar to the 1,000mile Rally.

Unfortunately, I was unable to enter, but I have spoken to many people who did compete—some of them experienced rally drivers, and others novices—and all of them enjoyed it very much.

Speaking for myself, I enjoy corn petitive motoring, but I certainly cannot afford to risk wrecking my car, either by driving it to death or by taking it over the edge of a precipice (a la Alpine Rally). Nor have I any very strong desire to break my neck. To win an award in an event of the nature of the ” 1,000 miles” calls for considerable skill in driving and navigation, and is an excellent test of the reliability and roadworthiness of an ordinary touring car. Your suggestion that a trials hill should be included in the R.A.C. Rally next summer fills me with horror 1

A rally is not a trial, and the type of car which is usually entered for a rally is not a trials-car. Mr. R. IL Lambert would not, I imagine, think of entering his 1929 Standard for a trial, or for your suggested hybrid horror which I shall call by the suitably horrible name ” Tri-ally ” : why should he, and others like him, be deprived of motor sporting events in which even if they don’t win an award, they can compete, as he did, with credit ?

I am, Yours, etc.,

London, S.W.5. ROGER SNOWDON.