Club News, December 1934

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• N.W. London M.C.

The annual London-Gloucester Trial will be held this year on December 8th. This will be the 24th time the event has been organised. Starting from Staines on the previous night, the competitors will travel via Chipping Norton to Cheltenham, where breakfast will be taken. Then the hills will come thick and fast, and a timed test, two re-start tests, and a special test will still further weed out the successful competitors.

There is a rumour of two entirely new hills.

An impressive array of awards has been donated.

The Hon. Secretary is Mr. J. Mann, Derby Works, Finsbury Park, London, N. 4. The Inter-Club Team Trial was too late for inclusion in our last issue, so we append the results :

1.–M.G. Car ClubTeam (J. M.Toulmin, J. A. Bastock and J. H. Summerfield, all driving P-type Midgets). 274 marks out of a possible 300.

2.—Kentish Border Car Club (K. Roe and H. B. Shaw, driving M.G. Magnettes, and P. B. Clark, Singer Le Mans). 262 marks.

3–West Hants L.C.C. (P. S. Flower, M.G. Magna J. E. S. Jones, M.G. Midget J2, and E, H. Banfield, KG. Magnette), 262 marks, but slower in timed section than Kentish Border C.C. Team.

Best Individual Performance in N.-W. London M.O. Turns : W. E. C. Greenleaf (Morris Minor). Singer M.C.: A. H. Langley (14-litre Le Mans Singer) Women’s Automobile and Sports Association : Miss J. Astbury (14-litre Singer). M.C.C. : W. J. Hayward (Ford V-8).

A special complimentary award was made to H. B. Shaw (M.G. Magnette).

J.R.D.C.

A speed hill climb was held on October 27th, the venue being Chalfont Heights Estate, where the Bugatti Club hold their annual climb. Spectators who took the programme at its word and arrived at 2 o’clock were disappointed, for the first car did not climb until nearly 3 o’clock. In fact, the organisation was of the most elementary nature. which may be quite satisfactory for enthusiastic competitors, but is decidedly dangerous when similar spectators crowd round the corners where cars have been known to leave the road.

The fastest cars present were R. G. J. Nash’s ” Spook,” G. Hartwell’s M.G. Magnette, and A. Baron’s Bugatti. After some rousing climbs the best time was put up by Nash in 22.6 secs., with Hartwell 1/5th sec. slower. Here are the full results :

Sports and Touring Class. Up to 1,300 c.c. : 1, C. V. Glass (1,493 c.c. Singer), 28 secs. ; 2, T. FrameThomson (1,496 c.c. Frazer-Nash), 28 3.5 secs. Up to 3,000 c.c. : I, A. Brine (2,994 c.c. Austro-Daintler), 26 4.5 secs. ; 2, T. Frame-Thomson (1,496 c.c. FrazerNash), 27 4.5 secs. Racing Class. Up to 750 c.c. 1, J. C. Almack

(747 c.c. Austin), 32 1.5 sees.; 2, J. R. Holdsworth (747 c.c. Austin), 37 secs. Up to 1,300 c.c. : 1, G. Hartwell (M.G. Magnette), 23 1.5 secs. ; 2, P.. Burroughs (M.G. J2), 37 4.5 secs. Up to 2,000 c.c. 1, R. G. J. Nash (1,496 c.c. Anzani Nash 8), 23 1.5 sees,:

2, G. Hartwell (M.G. Magnette), 23 3.5 secs. Up to 3,000 c.c,: I, R. G. J. Nash (1,496 c.c. Anzani Nash S), 223.5 secs. ; 2, A. Baron (2,992 c.c. Bugatti), 232.5 secs.

Sutton Coldfield and N. Birmingham A.C. “

The ” Sunbac News” for November is an attractive number, brightly wirtten and full of interesting items. We particularly liked the article ” Colmores I have marked.”

The annual Shell Cup Trial took place on November 10th over a 60-mile course between Bewdley and Stourport. An innovation which has since been copied by other clubs was the limiting of competitors speeds between the hills by means of secret timing. This put everyone on their guard, and the standard of driving manners was absolutely correct throughout the trial.

A steady, drenching rain did its best to spoil everyone’s sport, but failed to make any of the hills unclimable. The most difficult ascent was Droppingwell, the first to be tackled, and 17 out of 53 cars came to rest here. Wheelspin had to be avoided, for it resulted in the car becoming embedded in soft sandy mud.

The driving test was a veritable M.G. demonstration of mance uvring ability. Three Midgets tied for first place in 25 seconds. The next hill was Beauchamp, or rather Beauchamp I, and Beauchamp II, for it was divided into two sections. Only one person failed on each, there being Miss C. Labouchere (Singer 11-litre), and N. V. Terry (Frazer Nash). Sandy Lane also claimed only one failure, C. K. Greensill’s M.G. Midget, but the Stop and Restart test which took place here was the undoing of many who would otherwise have finished with clean sheets. Turning to the other end of the scale, the fastest time was made by R. E. Sandland (Singer Nine), A. B. Langley (Singer Nine) and H. Laird (McEvoy Hornet). Mill Lane was the last bill and brought five people to a standstill. Finally, the driving test brought out people’s weaknesses by penalising all drivers who were more than 15 per cent. slower than the fastest man—who happened to be H. Laird, with his extremely quick McEvoy

RESULTS.

Shell Cup (for best performance) : H. Laird (1,454 c.c. McEvoy Hornet). Allday Cup (for best under 1,100 c.c. performance): J. H. Surnmerfield (847 c.c. M.G.). Goodyear Bowl (for best over 1,100 c.c.) : A. H. Langley (1,493 c.c. Singer).

First-class Awards : None. Second-class Awards : H. H. Lawson (972 c.c. Singer) ; H. Madrell (847 c.c. MG.); G. V. Firmin (972) c.c. Singer) ; J. R. H. Baker (1,493 c.c. Singer) ; H. M. Avery (972 c.c. Singer) ; T. L. Langford (1,271 c.c. Wolseley Hornet) ; H. R. Attwood (1,287 c.c. M.G.) ; R. E. Sanclland (972 c.c. Singer) ; and K. G. Cotton (1,493 c.c. Singer).

Brighton and Hove M.C. At the end of October, 36 competitors assembled at Amberley Station, Sussex, in the lee of Bury Hill, for the Chandler Trophy Trial. An easy route was followed, some 30 miles in length, and including three observed hills and a

special brake test. Farm Hill, near famous Duneton, was chiefly difficult for its enormous ruts, which were fortunately dry. If it had been wet a very different tale might have been told. Aldworth stopped quite a few competitors, the thick leaves at the bottom preventing them from gaining enough speed to carry over the rocks at the top.

By the time Graffham Hill was reached, darkness had fallen, and this no doubt upset several drivers who might have made clean climbs in daylight. But that muddy patch in the middle was unsuspected, and surprisingly soft. The provisional results are as follow :—The Midgley Trophy (for the best car performance) : C. A. Broomhall

rueumph Gloria). First-class-classAwards : M. H. Lawson Singer Le Mans), K. Hutchison (Singer IA Mans), E. ro Singer Le Mans), R. L. Appleton (972 Singer), D. H. Harrington (M.G.), A. T. K. Debenharn (972 c.c. Singer), J. G. C. Bond (847 c,c. Morris), S. Jones (Morris Ten-four), E. M. Denton (Ford V8), G. M. Davis (Austin “65 “), Miss P. Blathwayt (M.G.), E. Stevens (847 c.c. Morris).

The classic ” Exeter ” remains unchanged this year so far as the route is concerned. It is felt that Fingle Bridge and Simm’s put many competitors on their mettle last December, and they are therefore at liberty to have another try at these two “terrors.” The Club has no illusions as to the difficulty of Simms, however, and the Tractor will again be in attendance to clear the course. The remaining hill’s are Harcombe, Meerhay, and Ibberton.

The chief modification to the rules lies in advancing the starting time by 1 hours. This will give most people a chance to finish in daylight, coupled with extra precautions to minimise delays. The feeding arrangements at the Crown Hotel, Blandford, have been re-organised, and hot meals will be available all through the afternoon and evening.

A good deal of discussion is bound to be caused by the adoption of regulation No. 2 (para 2 and 3) : “Observations will be made at certain places on the route, and any competitor who is observed to be running more than 15 minutes ahead of his schedule will be excluded from the Awards List.” No one will object to this rule in the hill section, but on the night run from Virginia Water to Exeter the majority of competitors in the past have been in the habit of getting ahead of schedule wherever possible for a short sleep—or occasionally adjustments to their cars.

The Secretary of the Club is Mr. J. A. Masters, 22, Morland Square, London, W. 11.

Alvis Car Club,

On October 28th, the Club held the first event since its formation. A modest beginning was made with a treasure hunt,

CLUB NOTES—continued.

and the very creditable attendance of 40 was obtained. After some amusing ” discovery ” the prize was won by A. Powys-Lybbe, second and third being B. J. Garrett and D. L. Simmons.

A cheerful tea party followed at the 0a,t1a.nds Park Hotel, Weybridge, when it was announced that the annual dinner will probably take place at the end of January.

The Hon. Secretary is Mr. T. J. Carberry, Jubilee Place, King’s Road, Chelsea, London, S.W. 3.

Lagonda Car Club.

A Scrounge Hunt has been arranged for Sunday, December 16th, starting at the cul-de-sac entrance to Olympia. There the competitors will be given a list of about twenty articles, which they have to obtain during the drive to Deepdene Hotel, Dorking. The Committee states that the articles will be of an extremely varied nature, yet all of such a nature as could be obtained in the course of an ordinary run.

Lunch will be served at 1 p.m., and should prove a really good function, for the competitors will be made members of the County Club for the day, and a chef from the Bristol Hotel is being brought down especially in their honour.

Vintage Sports Club.

At a meeting held at Harrow last month, it was decided to form a new club called “The Veteran Sports Car Club.” Support has been received from all over the country and a Northern Section with headquarters in Manchester is being formed. A club badge has been designed and will be available shortly. At a recent

meeting it was decided to hold trials once a month, and Sunday was felt to be a more suitable day than Saturday. It is hoped particularly, to appeal to Owners of 30-98’s and 3-litre Bentley, etc.

On December 16th a Scavenge Hunt, commencing at 3 p.m., will be held. The start is at the Great West Road, Chiswick, and finishing for tea at the” Punchbowle,” Crawley, 5 p.m.

Anyone interested may obtain full particulars from the Hon. General Secretary. The Veteran Sports Car Club, 7, Abercorn Mews, N.W. 8.

C.U.A.C.

At the recent Annual General Meeting of the Cambridge University Automobile Club, the following officials were appointed for the coming year : Hon. Secretary, H. G. Conway, 72, Jesus Lane, Cambridge; Hon. Treasurer, I. F. Connell, Brookfield, Newnham Walk, Cambridge ;Hon. Veteran Secretary, B. P. W. Twist, Esq., c/o The ” Autocar,” Stamford Street, S.E. 1.

THE BULLOCK CUP.

The outstanding performance in the Singer Car Club’s Bullock Cup Trial was made by F. R. C. Spikins, who will be remembered for his victory in the R.A.C. Rally. Driving a 9-h.p. Singer Le Mans, he lost no marks at all on two circuits of a 30-mile course, which included six observed hills on each lap, a total of five stop-and-start tests, a special brake test, an acceleration and brake test, and a difficult surprise test. There were 51 starters and 46 finishers.

RESULTS.

Bullock Cup (for best performance by a member of

Singer C.C.) : F. R. G. Spikins (972 Singer Le Mans), lost no marks.

Harris Cup (for the runner-up) : F. W. Carr (972 Singer Le Mans), lost 10 marks.

Invitation Trophy (for the best performance by a member of invited club) : J. H. Hibbitt (M.G. j.2), lost no marks.

Second-class Awards.—E. H. Dimond (M.G. J.2), M. H. Lawson (972 Singer Le Mans). F. A. Thatcher (1,287 M.G.), D. B. Harris (972 Singer Le Mans), F. E. Elgood (2,996 Bentley), W. G. Lockhart (Singer Nine), V. R. Cowley (972 Singer), J. G. C. Bond (847 Morris), H. M. Avery (972 Singer Le Mans), R. P. Gardner (972 Singer Le Mans), C. S. Parrott (972 Singer), J. R. H. Baker (1,493 Singer Le Mans), A. H. Langley (1,493 Singer Le Mans), E. G. Benge (972 Singer).

Team Award.—M. G. Bellingham (972 Singer), J. R. H. Baker (1,493 Singer), A. H. Langley (1,493 Singer). lost 27 marks.

Runners-up.—M. H. Lawson (972 Singer), A. B. Langley (972 Singer), H. M. Avery (972 Singer), lost 28 marks.

FREAK HILL-CLIMBING.

The M.G. Car Club had an amusing day at Rushmere Hill, near Bridgnorth. This hill is of the “motor cycle” variety, and after a rise followed by a dip, shoots up at a gradient of 1 in 1 for the last bit. The cars were run in pairs, and some good times were made. The most successful competitor of the day was J. H. Summerfield, with a specially supercharged P-type Midget, whose times of 20.8, 20.2, and finally 19.4 secs. were the fastest of the day. Second fastest was L. J. Turner on a 1(3 Magnette, whose time was 21 secs. dead.

The Editor invites Club Secretaries to send details their

to send details of their fixtures, sporting and social,, • for publication in these columns. These items should be sent to reach this office not later than the 16th of the month.