V-to-C Miscellany, November 1992, November 1992

Reverting to that Wolseley Hornet Special everting re-enactment of the 1932 Brooklands Relay Race at Silverstone last July, it is interesting that two of the Morgan three-wheelers that competed in this race attended, Jerry Larke’s ex-Clive Lones’ Morgan and Bill Wallbank with the Morgan Rhodes raced in 1932. Other Morgan topics — historian Jake Alderson has been investigating the twin-rearwheel conversion of two-speed models, and 32 three-wheelers were at this year’s “Morgans at Brooklands” day, including the Blackburn-engined ex-Geoff Harris Brooklands racer now owned by Chris Booth, Mrs Beryl Harris being re-united with her late husband’s car. Peter Morgan watched the Test Hill ascents; his father was using Brooklands 80 years earlier.

As the interview with Ian Connell in the August issue was well received, may we say that we have published similar WB interviews with racing drivers Basil Davenport, Jack Bartlett, Jack Dunfee, W B Scott, Charlie Martin, Ron Horton, His Grace the Duke of Richmond & Gordon, “Archie” Frazer Nash, R G J Nash, Comdr H G Dobbs, A H Lindsay-Eccles. the Hon Patrick Lindsay, Harry Rose, E C Gordon England, Capt G E T Eyston, C T Delaney, F H Boyd-Carpenter, George Caldicon, Sir L Ropner Bt, Vernon Balls, G P Harvey-Noble, Jack Field, T P Cholmondeley-Tapper, Sir Francis Samuelson Bt, Aubrey Esson-Scott, Charles Follett, E L Bouts, J C Byrom, Kaye Don, L P Driscoll, rally drivers Bill Bengry, Ralph Stokes, Christopher Jennings, and the Hon Victor Bruce, and photographer W J Brunell? Photocopies are available from the Motor Sport offices.

The Morgan Sports CC is a thriving organisation, with a magazine the advertising support of which would make some professional journals jealous. Its president is Peter Morgan, the chairman John Worrell and the club’s events and services are legion. At the “Morgan at Brooklands” day over 200 fourwheeler Morgans were present. In presenting the awards Peter Morgan said that the essential feature of driving these cars was having FUN. The club operates more than 37 centres, including those in the USA and Hong Kong. Details from; Christopher Wood, Rushford Stables, Henfield Road, Poynings, Brighton, Sussex.

Twenty cars were due to take part in the Brooklands— Le Mans Run from October 8/11 but as only about five were pre-war cars and not all of these makes would have been tested on the Track before going to the Sarthe in those days, the ploy would seem to be what DSJ would term a “public demand” kind of outing. “Tony the Kellogg’s Tiger” was there to please the sponsors and the children, Sky Sports was filming. Lledo who made the toy cars for the current Kellogg’s Brooklands promotion were represented and David Gower went along in a 1926 Bentley. The only actual Le Mans competing car seems to have been the ex-Paddy Hopkirk MG-B of Barry Sidery-Smith; but no doubt all had fun, which is what matters. Brooklands Museum Curator Morag Barton drove a 1993(!) Bentley Brooklands and is to be congratulated on thus obtaining long-term experience of this car which many motoring journalists lack. Funds were raised for restoration of the Campbell sheds, Sir Malcolm’s grandsons representing the family.

A late-season race meeting which has the attraction of motorcycle as well as car races is that of the MCC, at Silverstone on October 24.

Entries for the 1993 Exeter Trial (January 8/9) have closed.

The Rally Britannia Classic Cup rally, in which classic rally cars compete over stages set up for the Lombard MC Rally, takes place on November 22. It will be based on Nottingham. You can watch at the following stages: Donington, 7-10am; Clumber Park, 9-11.45: Chatsworth, 10.45–1pm; Oulton Park, 12.45-3.15; Sutton Park, 3-5pm. More details from: Historic Rally Car Register, Tibberton Court, Tibberton, Gloucs GL19 3AF. Tel: 0452 790648.

Stewart Tallack, 26 Middleton Road. Felpham, Bognor Regis, Sussex P022 6BT, is anxious to hear from owners of Hastings or Croydon-built Elva Couriers in order to form a Register.