VSCC at Madresfield

The customary driving tests took place at this one-time speed-trials’ course on September 4th. In the pedestrian part of the Slow/Fast test Walker’s Morgan 3-wheeler made the observer checking that neither clutch nor brakes assisted positively run, but Di Threlfall in the BSA was splendidly leisurely, although two seconds faster than Mrs Shapland in her 10/23 Talbot. Marsh’s Brescia Bugatti expressed its impatience by transmission judder and smoke and Toms’ square-outlined 1925 21/2-litre Fiat tourer had a fit of stage fright and needed cranking up, its enormous brake drums suggested it may be more fun to stop than to accelerate. Most drivers changed up for the quick bit but Mrs Rosoman’s A7 saloon stayed in 1st gear. Baker’s 1933 FN-BMW didn’t hang about but Rouse’s big Alvis saloon momentarily stalled its engine.

In the “pit-stop” Walker gamely pushed his Morgan the backwards-part (no reverse gear) but Jeddere-Fisher, out for the first time in his 1929 two speeder, stalled and was pushed backwards. Harcourt-Smith sported a “new” Austin 7 with three-seater aluminium body, nicely turned out and upholstered, and Tebbett was taking no chances with the autumnal weather, having an umbrella in the back of his Riley Gamecock. WB.