WB Rumblings, June 2005

To commemorate the LSR at Pendine Sands in Wales, when in July 1925 Malcolm Campbell became the first driver to exceed 150mph, with the 350hp Sunbeam, the STD Register is holding a meeting at Pendine on July 21. The Sunbeam will be on the sands again, brought from the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, although not as a runner. It is hoped that other veteran and vintage racing Sunbeams will be paraded on the beach. Details from Robert Wilcox on 01730 716335.

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With the tragic news about MG-Rover and the likely outcome, the Austin Centenary of Longbridge-built Austins at Cofton Park on July 8-10 may be a poignant memorial to the famous factory. By early March 129 entries were in, from a 1902 car and other pre-WWI models down to 1914. Entries to Barry Davidson on 01217111452.

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The Brooklands Museum continues to demonstrate the lap-record 24-litre Napier-Railton. It will also appear at Shelsley Walsh and Millbrook, etc. Its pre-war habitat was Brooklands, Montlhéry and Bonneville. It will also perform, among a wealth of attractions in action, at the Brooklands Society Reunion, scheduled for July 3.

Another outing for the Napier-Rallton comes at the charity Brooklands Wings and Wheels day at Dunsfold aerodrome, Godalming, Surrey on June 4. This combined motoring and aviation display features Spitfire, Lancaster, Hurricane, Sea Fury and Mitchell bomber flypasts, plus the Red Arrows, and historic and classic car demonstrations. Tickets are £20 (£45 for a family), or £17.50/£40 in advance. Contact Brooklands on 01932 857 381.

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Air displays at Old Warden will be held as usual, if the weather is being kind to the older aeroplanes. The Trust’s cars are receiving treatment along with the aeroplanes, of which the Gladiator has had its compression restored, the racing DH Comet is being readied for the anniversary of the MacRobertson race on October 28, repairs to the Lysander are in hand, and the Avro Tutor has been repainted in the colours of the1930s Central Flying School display team. Last year the Wolseley, Peugeot and Panhard cars were put into running order, and problems with the veteran Arrol-Johnston were tackled. These activities are recorded in the thrice-yearly Journal of the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society.