Club News, October 1956

The Humber Register/Fiat Register Midland Rally

The Humber and Fiat Registers combined on September 9th in holding the annual Midland Rally, an excellent event, inasmuch as it follows the greater part of the route of the Victory Cup Trial and Economy Car Trial of the early nineteen-twenties. Unfortunately, as in 1927, torrential rain made matters uncomfortable, especially for members of the Vintage Motor-Cycle Club who had been invited to join in. The entry was very poor and further depleted by nonstarters, so that only two Fiats – Liston-Young’s 509 tourer and Benbow’s airship-tailed 1922 Fiat 501 2-seater with o.h.v. conversion and what looked to be Alvis wheels-and three Humbers seemed to be the sole car contingent, the Humbers comprising Gibson’s 1925 12/25, J. R. Gray’s 11.4 -and Longworth’s 14/40, all very nicely turned out. Luckily Sellars (1925 Sunbeam), Harper (1925 Sunbeam), Bone (1921 New Imperial), Moffat (1914 Triumph) and Beggs (1928 Sunbeam) bravely turned too on their motor-cycles.

The Editor of Motor Sport set out at a ghastly hour in the morning in his 1925 F. N. saloon (with what is thought to be the 1927 T.T engine, now converted to normal exhaust system and single carburetter) to marshal, covering 226 steady miles in the day without trouble.

Fiat (England) Ltd., had generously presented a cup, and the trial was won by Gibson’s Humber, which made best. performance, Bone’s New Imperial performing best amongst the invited club members and Beggs’ Sunbeam motor-cycle being runner-up. Now we want a vintage Fiat in order to be able to mount the handsome, if weighty, Fiat Register badge. Queries after this soaking event: Why did Lt. A. B. Demaus, Humber Register arrive in a 2.1 litre Lagonda? How does he remain so thoroughly imperturbable in such weather? Why did we meet vintage Humbers in Worcester long after the trial had started? Did the enthusiastic occupants of the marshal’s Bentley, which was devoid of a hood, ever get really dry again? This is a trial which deserves greater support on future occasions and it is nice to know that Demaus not only believes firmly in replica vintage competitions but brings along pictures of the hills as they appeared to motor-cycle and car competitors in contemporary times.

Cemian M.C. Gymkhana (Sept.16th)

Closed Cars: Best Cemian: R. C. A. Smith (Morris Minor).

Runner up: Ken Gregory (Sunbeam Rapier).

Best Visitor: C. Simpson (Austin).

Runner up: P. Hebden (Ford).

Open Class: Best Cemian: Miss Margaret Mobbs (M.G.)

Best Visitor: R. F. Bradley (Austin-Healey).

Team Award: K. S. Bignold (M.G.) P. Hebden (Ford) and G. Simpson (Austin).

Midlands M.E.C. Honeybourne Sprint (Sept.16th)

This closed-to-club Sprint Meeting was run under dull but dry conditions, and consisted of a standing 3/4 mile involving two corners – one of which was a trifle acute and caused some rubber-burning, and also a straight standing 1/4 mile. Classes were divided into popular engine sizes. and results were decided by taking an aggregate shortest time over the two distances. Some classes were merged in respect of results, owing to there being insufficient runners in these classes to qualify individually for a prize. The entries were quite varied, from an A30 to a genuine Shelsley Special, being the ex -Rupert Instone ” Martyr”, which unfortunately shed chains after putting up a good time in the 3/4 mile runs, and was unable to complete the event. J. R. Axon in a modified XK120 coupe put up the best performance of the day, at the expense of a fair amount of rubber being left on the airfield runways.

Worcestershire M.C. (Sept. 16th.)

The Worcestershire Motor Club held their event in conjunction with the Morgan 4/4 and Herefordshire Motor Clubs on Sunday, with an extremely good entry of 39 competitors taking part.

Practicing took place in the morning and in the afternoon there was keen competition amongst drivers for the fastest time of the day. This was put up eventually by Mr. W. A. G. Goodall, driving a Morgan Plus 4, with an excellent time of 64.8 sec. He was closely followed by Mr. J. Bodin in a Ford Special in 65 sec. dead.

Each competitor was allowed two runs; one entrant came all the way from Surrey to compete and was successful in winning his class.

Results

Fastest time of the Day: W. A. G. Goodall (Morgan Plus 4) 64.8 sec.

Saloons: up to 1,100cc: A. E. Thompson (Renault) 77.1 sec.

1,101 – 1,600cc: L. Manifold (Volkswagen) 71.9sec.

1,601 – 2,600cc: E. Burnham (Ford Zodiac) 75.8 sec.

Open Cars: up to 1,100cc J. Looker (Morgan) 69.1 sec.

1,101 – 1,600cc J. Bodin (Ford Special) 65.00

1,600 – 2,600cc B. Phipps (Morgan Plus 4) 66.3 sec.

Team Award: P. H. Goodall and J. Looker (Morgans)

Circle C.C. Seventh Annual Rally (Oct. 28th)

Start : Wembley, 10.30am Finish : Rickmansworth area. 7.0 p.m. Mileage : 180 (approx.). Essex, Cambs., Herts. and Bucks. Classes : Open and Closed. Up to 1300 c.c. and Over 1,300 c.c. Invited Clubs : B.A.R.C., Bugatti Owners’, Chiltern, Herts Count . MG. (S.E), Public Schools’, Seven Fifty.

Entry Fee : 25s. per car. Closing date: October 22nd, 1956. Regulations from : J. W. Cridford, Tamar. Rowlands Avenue, Hatch End, Middlesex.

Falcon M.C. Family Rally (Sept. 16th)

Best Performance and Rally Cup P. Angus (M.G. T.F).

Second Best Performance: R. Sheldrick (M.G M.G.A).

Family Award: Mrs. B Corker Peake (Ford).

First Class Award C. Watling (Vangard).

Leicestershire Vintage Club The above club has recently been formed for owners of vintage and veteran cars and motor-cycles. All interested parties should contact the Hon. Secretary. P. M. L Biles of 115, The Fosse Way, Syston, Leicester.

Alfa Register

All owners of Alfa-Romeos who are interested in the formation of a Register for these cars are asked to contact S. G. Wilson. of 1 7, Roundwood Lane. Harpenden, Herts.