Club News, March 1955
Bristol M.C. & L.C.C.
The Jan./Feb. issue of the club’s journal contains a brief account of activities from 1911, when the club was formed, to the commencement of racing at Castle Combe circuit.
Future fixtures include the Full Moon Trial on March 12th, and a social visit to the Austin Motor Company on March 25th.
It is expected that race meetings will be held at the excellent Castle Combe circuit on April 9th (C.I.) and on October 1st (International), with a motor-cycle race meeting on July 9th. The club’s President is “Dick” Caesar, and its Vice-Presidents are Mrs. Kathleen Maurice, L.D. Atkinson, S.Hodges, W.G. Kay, A.W. Morrish and C.B. Slater.
The annual subscription for car members is £1. Hon. Sec. : E.G. Reynolds, The Myrtles, Chew Magna, near Bristol.
Alvis 12/50 Register
The Alvis O.C. will invite the 12/50 Register, Humber Register, Sunbeam S.T.D. Register, Lea-Francis 0.C., and Morgan Three-Wheeler Club to the second Annual Wishaw Night Navigational Exercise on March 6th, starting (at 2.30 p.m.) and finishing at the Cock Inn, Wishaw, near Birmingham. Entry fee 7s.6d. Details from G.N.S.Davies, ” Stonehouse,” Cleeve Prior, near Evesham.
The Register will hold its Esso House Rally and Driving Tests as a three-cornered fight between the Alvis, Humber and Sunbeam Registers on April 24th. Entries, at 7s.6d. each, close on April 18th. Details from the Hon. Registrar : N.H.Johnson, 399, Ley Street, Ilford, Essex.
Tunbridge Wells M.C.
The Tunbridge Wells M.C. announces that it will again open the club season at Brands Hatch on April 3rd with their its Annual Speed Event. The event caters for any vehicle other than a true racing car and is open to members of the following clubs : Aston Martin 0.C., B.A.R.C., Maidstone & Mid-Kent M.C., 750 Car Club, Surrey Sporting M.C. and V.S.C.C. The Secretary of the event : G.W. Law, 8, Culverden Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (Tunbridge Wells 20741).
Sevenoaks & Dist. M.C.
The Sevenoaks & Dist. M.C. has recently become recognised by the R.A.C. This club, which was formed in 1954, already has a membership totalling well over 100 members. Some of this year’s fixtures are : Guys and Dolls Rally, Sunday, April 3rd; Versatility Trial, Sunday, May 15th; Kent Rally (lasting 12 hours), Saturday and Sunday, July 23rd and 24th; Driving Test meeting, Sunday, August 28th; Concours d’Elegance, Saturday, September 10th; Night Navigation Rally, Saturday and Sunday, October 22nd and 23rd; Barbecue Rally, Saturday, November 26th.
Hon. Secretary : I. Tyrrell, Pipers Croft, Brittains Lane. Sevenoaks, Kent.
Aston Martin O.C.
The Aston Martin Owners’ Club announces the following 1954 awards :
The Members’ Trophy : Peter Collins.
The Mort-Goodall President’s Trophy : Peter Sims.
The St. John Horsfall Memorial Trophy : Bob Collinson and Jack Hobbs.
The Peter Bell Trophy : P. Tony Everard.
The Elwell-Smith Trophy : C.H. Sutcliffe.
The Charnwood Quart : S.F.Pile.
The Stapleton Associates Trophy : T.Sopwith
The Sutherland Trophy : R.Eve.
The Wallace Trophy : P.S.A.Freeman.
The subscription costs 30s. for full and associate members, and 40s. for family members.
Hon. Sec. : A. Bowman Stewart, 45, Rutherwyke Close, Stoneleigh, Ewell, Surrey.
Romford E.C.C.
Mr. Jenkinson, Motor Sport’s Continental Correspondent, recently gave the Club a most interesting talk on his experiences following the Grand Prix races around Europe, during which he travelled over 30,000 miles. The speaker gave his opinions and impressions on the prominent racing cars and drivers of today and also his advice of determination and hard work to those wishing to get into the motor-racing world ! Mr. Jenkinson also described his experiences as a competitor in the Mille Miglia.
The first rally since R.A.C. membership was received was held recently in the form of a navigation trial, and was well attended. Competitors left Romford at 11 a.m. and proceeded to the first check point where the average speeds were calculated. A stop was made for lunch near Harlow. In the afternoon the trial continued with stops being made at certain check points for braking and hill-climbing tests. After tea at Dunmow the night navigation section commenced, the final check point being at Navestock. Altogether 130 miles were covered and the results were : Mr. G.Hill (Sunbeam Talbot) first, with Miss Iris Woollard (M.G.) second, and Mr. T.Hopwood (Singer) in third place.
On Thursday a film show was given by the Esso Petroleum Company, at which there was a very good attendance. Films included those taken at Aintree, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park and Crystal Palace, and also showed motor-cycle racing.
On March 6th the Club will visit the Police Driving School, Chelmsford.
THE Cemian M.C.
The annual general meeting was held at the Lotus Restaurant, Norris Street, London, S.W.1, on January 31st, and was well attended.
The Club was sorry to lose the services of R.L. Sadler, who has been Hon. Secretary for the past ten years and has unfortunately had to resign due to pressure of business. Francis Rourke was elected Hon. Secretary in his place and his address is : 26, Soho Square, London W.1; Telephone No. Gerrard 8943. The President continues to be Arthur A. Bolsom. and the Hon. Competition Secretary Geoffrey T.Wilby, and Hon. Treasurer E.C. Vriens. The new Assistant Secretary is B.D. Frost and A.J. Range was elected Chairman.
Morgan Three-Wheeler Club.
A successful dinner was held in London during January by the S.E. Group of the Morgan T.W.C. and attended by some 67 bodies.
The following day a “Hangover Run” to Farnham was held, in which nine Morgans and three cars took part. One of the places visited was the Stoney Jump at Frensham, and those who know this forbidding loose-surfaced hill will realise that it is quite a climb for a trials motor-cycle. One member, however, drove a Ford Ten Morgan (with passenger) at a furious speed straight to the top. Shades of the ‘twenties when Morgans were to be seen ascending precipices at most trials ! Later that day another member had the misfortune to break a camwheel tooth on his 1,100 o.h.v. J.A.P. In an effort to ascertain the trouble the engine was removed and then replaced (transmission trouble was at first suspected), after which the front cover was dismantled. If a spare camwheel had been available the engine could have been running again in under two hours. As it was the kind soul who had previously assaulted the hill towed the car back to London.
Everyone lent a hand, and everyone (with the exception of the unfortunate owner) enjoyed the mechanical entertainment.
Secretary : P. Davies, 36, Arbouretum Road, Worcester.
The Lancia M.C. Scavenger Rally will be held on March 6th. starting at 11 a.m. from St. John’s Wood, London, and finishing about 6 p.m. at Ye Olde Thatched House, Epping (high tea available, 5s.). No competition licences required and all are welcome. Entry fee is 10s. and regulations are now available from Mrs. Neil Freedman, 4a, Hyde Park Mansions, N.W.1 (Paddington 9476).
The London M.C. Coventry Cup Trial will be held on March 6th on private ground in the Aston Rowant area. Full details are available from J.H. Appleton, 99, Goldhawk Road, London, W.12.
The Bugatti O.C. Opening Rally is scheduled for March 6th, at Chadwick Manor, Knowle, Birmingham. The George Harris Challenge Cup, Brescia Challenge Cup (no longer, alas, confined to Brescias), Taylor Trophy, Jacques Challenge Cup, Other-Makes Challenge Cup and the Scuderia Award will be contested at the Concours d’Elegance.