250 M.R.C Whitsun Meeting

The 250 M.R.C. held its second race Meeting at the pocket-handkerchief circuit on Eelmoor Mitt, in the vast open commonland flanking the Fleet-Aldershot road. Twenty entries had been received, of which five were Berkeleys. The 250-cc. “specials” proved faster but far less reliable. In the fourth race three out of the six starters retired, the Kimston Special while in the lead, the Thistle-Velo., and the J.B.S.-Rudge, which had won two previous races, leaving Haldenby’s effective Kieft-base Scorpion Velo. to win from the Ball And Pantlin Specials. Emery’s Asp-Rudge had earlier experienced fracture of a steering-arm and loss of brakes, and in the fifth race the Scorpion Velo. only just held off Vincent’s air-scooped, aero-screened Berkeley, because Haldenby was having difficulty in changing gear. The Smith with British Anzani twin two-stroke engine at the back jibbed at even starting. The Pantlin was noticeably steady, whereas Ashby’s Berkeley, which Mrs. Ashby also drove, lifted its off-side back wheel on right-hand corners and Harris’ Berkeley was so slow it was lapped in a 10-lap contest — and what short laps they are! Next Eelmoor Plain meeting will be a sprint. — W.B.