Miscellany, January 2004
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Matthew Freddenberg’s Negative Gravity is the story of Miss Beatrice Shilling, who raced her Norton to Gold Star speeds at Brooklands, did valuable research on wartime aero engines at the RAE, and with her husband raced a very special Lagonda Rapier after the war. A most attractive book, its appealing front cover showing the lady in leathers, Norton mounted; I recommend it strongly. (£13.99, Charton Publications, Orchard House, Creech St Michael, Taunton TA3 5PF, ISBN 0954616502)
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Since Harold Nockolds wrote The Magic of a Name in 1938, many others have covered every aspect of Rolls-Royce history. But for a quick reference, Shire offers The Rolls-Royce by that dependable writer Jonathan Wood (£3.50, ISBN 0747 805576), in its second edition.
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Kiefts built up a fine racing reputation, especially when driven by Don Parker and Stirling Moss. Peter Tuthill has embarked on the full history, and the first part is on the Bridgend racing of 1949-52, up to the AJB Formula Two Kieft and the move to Wolverhampton. Kieft Racing Cars costs £6.50 post free, from P J Tuthill, Woodcott, Trevanion Road, Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 7PA.
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Results of the Brighton Run have been delayed; apparently the organisers had first to produce the RAC Rally results. The Veteran Car Run had 368 starters and 326 finishers, according to Harrison Sandler, PR firm for the MSA. Nos 13 and 113 were omitted, but Mr Brydon had to endure No213. However, his 1903 Stevens-Duryea was successful. Mr Heesom, whose Sunbeam was the one invited entry, asks us to record that he completed this very wet Run.
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The 2003 Bert Hadley Memorial Championship, in tribute to the pre-war A7 racing driver, was won by Stewart Arldey with a Gould Ulster Special. The Murray Jamieson Trophy was won by Alan Fairless in a 1929 Ulster Special, the Kay Petre Award by Julia Constaninos in her 1934 single-seater A7, and Nick Allen took the Newcomer Cup driving a 1926 Sprint Special.
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Congratulations to the Lea-Francis OC for marking the 100th anniversary of these cars with an absolutely breathtaking Jubilee book, in which the first 50 years of this club are remembered. Covering all the many types of Lea-Francis cars and ‘bikes, from early light cars to the current 30/230 sportscar, this record contains a history of Lea-Francis by Barrie Price, who has kept the make in production, and a brief account of the club from its chairman Keith Poynter. This must rate as the best club publication of 2003. Non-members can obtain it for £19.95 from Motor Books, 33 St Martin’s Court London, WC2N 4AN.
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The FBHVC points out that the historic vehicle movement in the UK is worth over £1.5m annually to the nation. Add to that what motor racing in all its forms must contribute, and it seems a pity that New Labour does not do more to support such industries. The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret attended the 1950 British GP at Silverstone and were introduced, together with the Mountbattens, by Earl Howe to the drivers. The Royal party watched the start on a dais close to the course, and stayed to see how the race went. Would it not be appropriate for Tony Blair to attend a British race meeting when not busy with his own affairs?
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The owner of Singer Le Mans four-seater DMT 152, which has been his for 30 years, would like to trace its post-1950 history. It was apparently rebuilt to a high standard for Campbell Jones by Auto Menders, and prior to that had been used in trials by a Mr Preston. The Singer OC has no record of the car. Letters can be forwarded.
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In another of the many welcome letters from readers which I receive, Scottish resident Brian Hopkins tells me that, although a self-confessed latecomer to the sport, he is still running his 1929 4.5-litre Bentley with which he competed at Doune in 1969.
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Richard Riley is the son of Allan Riley, plant manager at one of the Riley’s Coventry body plants. In Race to the Top (Mercian Manuals Ltd, Balsall Common, W Midlands, ISBN 1 90388 15 1) he reminisces about growing up as a boy among the family. There are good pictures of Riley products from 1899 to the BMC era, through the veteran, vintage and Nuffield years, with the competition cars included.
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Bruce H Brown has brought together the story of W Bentley’s association and competition with DFP cars, much of which has been well documented but which is assembled here with pictures of W O’s racing DFPs, reproductions of sales posters, catalogues etc, and a list of the racing successes Bentley achieved before he began to build cars of his own make. Five hundred copies are available, at £33 inc P&P, from DFP, c/o Clamason Industries Ltd, Gibbons Industrial Park, Ludley Road, Kingswinford, West Midlands, DY6 8XG.