CLUB NEWS, September 1953

CLUB NEWS

WE HEAR

At the end of July, H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, inspected British Le Mans cars at Goodwood Circuit. Afterwards many of the Le Mans drivers attended the Gold Cup race at the other Goodwood circuit. Club secretaries should note that H. V. Canning, the proprietor of the White Cafe, Railway Approach, Twickenham, Middlesex, is willing to display posters relating to forthcoming events, to help further interest in his district. •

• MIDLAND A.C.

The Birmingham Pose Rally takes place on a limited entry basis on September 18th/19th, over a course of approximately 450 miles in the Midland Counties and Mid-Wales. Entries close on September 1st, or when 120 entries are received, whichever is earlier, at £3 3s. per entry. Cars will be divided into four classes, open and closed vehicles up to 1,300 c.c. and open and closed vehicles over 1,301 c.c. Teams may be nominated. The start will be from the

Civic Centre. Birmingham, at 22.00 hours on the 18th. Details from M.A.C., 87, Edmund Street, Birmingham, 3.

BRIGHTON SPEED TRIALS

Cars will again be timed in pairs over the classic kilometre of Brighton’s Madeira Drive on the occasion of the Brighton & Hove M.C. International Speed Trials on September 5th. Awards and trophies to the value of £850 will be offered and f.t.d. carries a prize of £75.

Sports cars run in the morning, from 10 a.m. onwards, and racing cars in the afternoon, from 2 p.m. onwards. There is a class for unlimited vintage racing cars and another for lady drivers. Spectators can enjoy one of the safest views of motor racing obtainable anywhere, from the terrace enclosures, admission to which costa 2s. 6d. or 5s. a head, depending on position. All-day Paddock passes, which include entry to an enclosure adjacent to the start, cost 10s. Drivers can obtain an R.A.C. speed certificate for 10s. 6d. extra to normal entry fees. Entries have closed. This is a continuation of those carefree seaside speed trials of the “gay ‘twenties” and as a return of the spirit prevailing in those days is imminent as we write this, the Brighton Speed Trials this year should be an occasion for vintage cars, knee-length frocks and gay parties afterwards. Alas, we shall probably be getting drenched in Dundrod1

SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX MEETING (August 2nd)

MEETING (August 2nd)

RaeIng.Car Handicap (under 1,500 e.e.).-Ist J. Milne (Cooper). 59.20 m.p.h.; 2nd : C. F. Pope (F.P. 23 Special); 3rd : P. J. Caroline (L.A. Special).21 win. 36 sec. Fastest lap : J. Milne. 2 min. Sane.

Sports Cars (Unlinsited).-lst : S. C. McPherson (Aston Martin DB 2), 57.81 m.p.h.; 2nd : P. J. Caroline (32X Allard); 3rd : Ho Yue Kong (Jaguar XK120).-22 min. 38 sec. Fastest lap : P. J. Caroline. 2 min. 8 eee.

Sports Cars (Under 1,500 c.e.).-lst : Saw Kim Thiat (M.G. TD), 61.16 m.p.h.; 2nd : Lim Peng Han (M.G. TC); 3rd : L. C. Chan (M.G. TD).-23 min. 40 sec. Fastest lap : Saw Kim Thiat, 2 rata. 18 sec.

Johore Grand Prix (Formate Libre).-]at ; C. F. Pope (Jaguar Special), 63.25 m.p.h. (new race record); 2nd : Au Nai Fai (Jaguar XK120); 3rd : P. J. Caroline (32X Allard).-1 hr. 23 min. 48 sec. Fastest lap : L. H. Chan (Cooper). 1 min. 57 sec.

57 sec. “DAILY TELEGRAPH” INTERNATIONAL TROPHY MEETING, BRANDS HATCH (August 3rd)

In brilliant (summer at last !) sunshine and before an estimated crowd of 50,000 souls, the Daily Telegraph meeting got away to a good start on August Bank Holiday Monday. The programme consisted of no less than 10 half-litre eventswhich were all run bang on time. The preliminary heats were

fought out in a spirited fashion. The first major event of the day was the August Sprint Race. A ” star-spangled ” field of drivers set off in this first event, but after the field had settled down it looked very much like Don Parker’s race-which indeed it was. A pleasant diversion took place during the half-litre racing-this was the race for veteran sports cars. Some magnificent specimens

were on view-and they gave a superb account of themselves. There were 10 cars all told. One of 1905 was the oldest-whilst the 1914 (well turned out) Sunbeam driven by J. Sears won the event at an average speed of 5743 m.p.h., which is a great achievement for a 40-year-old car on the Brands Hatch circuit.

The final of the Challenge Trophy Race was once again won by Don Parker, who drove a brilliant race, bringing his Kieft home at an average speed of 70.42 m.p.h. The race was marred by what might have been a very serious accident, but luckily the damage to the drivers was not so bad as it was thought. In the first lap three cars spun off the course, one of the drivers, C. G. Smith, was thrown out of his car-he and Rollswere taken to hospital with cuts and abrasions. It was hard luck on R. G. Bicknell, who drove the third car involved, although he was not injured. He was forced off the track and had to retire; he had already won his two previous heats.

Thus ended an enjoyable day. The prizes were ably presented by Mr. G. Simon, General Manager of the Daily Telegraph. The organisers should be congratulated on two counts : (1) the efficient running of the meeting, and (2) the fact that the previous record attendance had been surpassed by 15,000. And, last but not least, congratulations to Don Parker for his double win and also on winning the Challenge Trophy for the second year running-a fine achieveC. M.

ment.-J. C. M. Results s

Results s August Sprint Rues t Heat 1.-lat : R. G. Bicknell (Staride), 68.22 m.p.h.; 2nd : J. Russell (Cooper):

3rd : H. L. Daniell (Emeryson). Heat 2.-let: L. Leston (Lessen Special), 67.71 m.p.h.; 2nd : R. Brine

(Arnott); 3rd : D. Gray (Kieft). Heat 3.-tat : D. Parker (Kieft), 70 m.p.h.; 2nd : D. Taylor (Martin); 3rd :

S. Lewis-Evans (Cooper). Heat 4.-Ist : S. Lewis-Evans (Cooper), 68.82 m.p.h.; 2nd : C. D. Headland

(Martin-Headland); 3rd : G. G. Smith (Kent Smith). Final.-lst : 11. Parker (Kieft), 70.37 m.p.h.; 2nd : S. Lewie-Evans (Cooper);

3rd : R. G. Bicknell (Staride). The “Daily Telegraph” International Challenge Trophy Race t Heat 1.-1st : It. G. Bicknell (Staride). 68.52 m.p.h.; 2nd J. Brown (Martin);

3rd : H. W. Walker (Walker Special). Heat 2.-lst : S. Lewis-Evans (Cooper), 69.52 m.p.h.; 2nd C. D. Headland

(Martin-Headland); 3rd : Wieken (Coaster).

Heat 3.-lst : L. Leston (Lesion Special), 68.65 m.p.h.; 2nd : D. Gray (Kieft): 3rd : J. Russell (Cooper).

Heat 4.-1st : D. Parker (Kieft), 70.37 m.p.h.; 2nd : J. Brine (Arnott); 3rd : N. Borrow-Johnson (Martin).

Final.-1t: D. Parker (Kieft), 70.42 m.p.h.; 2nd : L. Leston (Lesion Special); 3rd : S. Lewis-Evans (Cooper); 4th: C. D. Headland (Martin-Headland); 5th : C. Wieken (Cooper); 6th : P. Emery (Emeryson).

••••••••••• SUNBEAM REGISTER

The Sunbeam Register will hold its annual driving tests at Sandhurst on September 20th, commencing at 2 p.m. As the Register now includes Roesch Talbot cars it will be interesting to see whether a Talbot or a Wolverhampton Sunbeam puts up the best performance in the series of tests, which are prepared and marshalled with military efficiency by officer-cadets of the R.M.A. Motor Club. The Register now has over 425 Sunbeam cars on its books but the Roesch Talbot contingent might be stronger and new members owning these cars will be welcome. Annual subscription 15s. Details from the Hon. Registrar, Mrs. W. Roddy, Carmel, Wood Lane, Fleet, Hampshire.

SOURCES OF HEAT At a meeting held between the executives of the B.R.M. and the

a bunlop Rubber Company, Ltd., to review tyre performance at Albi and tyre requirements in future events, it was agreed that at Albi the improved performance of the 13.11.M. cars had imposed extreme operating conditions on the near-side rear tyre, creating high temperature. All tyre failures on the three cars were confined to this position and occurred in 7.00-17 and 7.00-18 tyres of varying dates of manufacture and at operating pressures ranging from 45-70 lb. per sq. in. Sources of heat are being jointly investigated. It was confirmed that Ken Wharton’s accident was not due to tyre failure. **

CLUB AFFAIRS • • •

• • •

The Welsh Motor Racing Club regrets that no racing will be possible at Fairwood circuit for the remainder of this season. * * *

Entries for the Fourth National Race Meeting of the Bristol M.C. & L.C.C. at Castle Combo on October 3rd close on September 14th. Details of the event, which includes Formula III (two 7-lap heats and a 10-lap final), a 20-lap Formula II race, 10-lap races for sports cars over and under 1 litres, and a 15-lap Formule Libre race, are available from Mrs. K. R. Maurice, Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire (Tel.: Castle Combo 205). The meeting carries £320 prizemoney and many handsome trophies. * * *

Formula III ears will have a seven-lap handicap and a 10-lap scratch race, with preliminary heats, at the Blackburn Welfare M.C. Race Meeting at 11rough Aerodrome on October 4th. Entries have closed. * * *

The Southsea M.C. Sprint which was to have taken place at Goodwood on September 19th is cancelled. * * *

T. L. J. Bentley asks owners of sports-type Rovers, especially 1934/6 sports-tourers, to contact him with a view to forming a Sports Rover Register. His address is : Mauvarre, 11, Woodhall Drive, Pinner, Middlesex. * *

The Chiltern C.C.’s sixth annual Concours d’Elegance will be held at Amersham on September 6th, commencing at 2.15 p.m. This is one of our premier concours d’elegance and attracts a very good entry. Entries have closed. * * *

The annual general meeting of the Lagonda Rapier and Rapier Register will be held near Stratford-on-Avon on September 27th. Particulars may be obtained from the Hon. Sec., G. D. Speight, 473, Manchester Road, Sheffield, 10.

Details of the Old Merchant Taylors’ M.C. are available from G. Connelly, A.C.A., 98, St. Martin’s Lane, W.C.2. * * *

The new secretary of the Allard Owners’ Club is Dr. Desmond MacCarthy, 24/28, Clapham High Street, S.W.4. * * *

SOUTHERN JOWETT C.C.

The Southern Jewett C.C. is organising an event under the title “September Rally” on September 13th. The rally is a closed event for fully paid-up members, competition and associate members of the Southern Jowett Car Club, and will be held under F.I.A. and R.A.C. rules. It will consist of a road navigation test of approximately 50 miles along roads and lanes in general use. Along the route a number of driving tests on tarmac and concrete surfaces have been arranged, the whole event having been designed to give equal opportunities to all entrants.

There are separate classes for open and closed cars for both over and under 1,500 c.c., and a special class for American cars and drivers.

Competition membership to December 31st, 1953, may be secured with the Southern Jowett C.C. for 2s. 6d., and the entry fee for the rally is 25s.

Competitors will be required to report at Halstead, Essex, by 10 a.m., and must be accompanied by a navigator.

The rally regulations may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary, R. Knight, 390, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E.17, to whom application for membership of the Southern Jowett CC. should also be made.