EIGHT CLUBS' SILVERSTONE

EIGHT CLUBS’ SILVERSTONE

Sir,

I would like, if 1 may, to correct any false impressions which may have arisen from two points in your report of the Eight Clubs’ meeting at Silverstone on June 6th. Firstly, Wilkinson ” toured round sedately in an old A.C., too slowly to qualify ” because of continual trouble with No. 5 plug. Much of his hour’s motoring was done on five cylinders, and valuable time was wasted on an effort to cure the trouble. This splendidly maintained 1937 touring drophead is still readily capable of 85 m.p.h., and has, on occasions, improved on that figure. (The owner would, 1 sin sure, be prepared to prove it.)

Secondly, and without wishing to belittle Barclay Inglis’ kindly interest in the marque in the slightest degree, I must point out that had it not been for almost superhuman efforts on the part of H. F.

Day there would have been no A.C. race. By bullying and cajoling over a period of seveial weeks, by letter, telephone, and personal persuasion (involving many miles of motoring), he was solely responsible for what, if I may say so, you so rightly describe as ” a splendid field for a one-make club to assemble.”

Finally, I must criticise your criticism that the meeting was overlong and had a ” sameness mildly reminiscent of a school sports. day ” on the ground that, though spectators in considerable numbers are essential if the meeting is to be run at all, it is not organised for their benefit only. I had always felt that the primary reason for running a club race-meeting was to allow its members to race, and so long as the programme does not become farcically long or the racing dull I ant in favour of accepting as large an entry as can be efficiently handled. I shall be very surprised indeed if the 16 events and school sports-day atmosphere of June 6th have an adverse effect on the attendance at the 1954 Eight Clubs’ meeting at Silverstone. I am, Yours, etc., London, S.W.10. GEORGE GRICS,

Hon. Sec., the A.C. Owners, Club. [Our comment was not meant unkindly and we are sure Mr. Grigs is right, hut even at these small meetings spectators contribute their mite to the general success and are entitled to their opinions, if not to an alteration of programme. Roll on Eight Clubs’ Silverstone, 1954, we shall be there 1—En.] * *