Matters Of Moment, December 1952

The R.A.C. And The Clubs

On the last day of October, 130 club delegates met the Competitions Committee of the R.A.C. in the annual discussion on matters pertaining to all aspects of motor sport.

That this is only a discussion, not a meeting at which decisions can be made or subjects put to the vote, we were reminded during the afternoon by Lord Camden, who rose to say that whatever decision the meeting might reach the Committee had no power to accept it but could only pass it on to the Executive Conimittee of the R.A.C. to adopt or reject as it saw fit.

This being the case, and because the clubs, whom this meeting primarily concerns, will have received reports of the proceedings from their own delegates and from the R.A.C., we do not propose to devote much space to it.

Many useful views were put forward for consideration by the Competitions Committee. Perhaps the most interesting was that by Ince, representing the Singer O.C., who revealed that his club had sent a letter to 150 recognised clubs proposing the formation of an organisation similar to the A.C.U., in which representatives of the clubs would meet on a sub-committee of the main Competitions Committee. Ince stated that 39 clubs, with an aggregate membership of over 8,000, agreed with the Singer O.C. proposition and he clearly intended that his mandate should be voted on and either accepted or ruled out.

Apart from Lord Camden’s timely intervention, referred to above, the Competitions Committee obviously took fright at this proposal and were in process of discouraging Ince when Stanley Sedgwick, of the Bentley D.C., said that he went part of the way with Ince but that he was satisfied with the present constitution of the Committee. He did consider, however, that as over 9,000 of the existing 10,000 holders of Competition Licences in this country were only concerned with closed and closed invitation competitions, more men “experienced in the organisation of club competitions as we (the smaller or specialist clubs) know them” be elected to the Competitions Committee. Barclay Inglis and J. D. Woodhouse were in obvious agreement and Chappell, of the Kentish Border C.C., seconded Sedgwick’s sensible proposal. Lord Howe, Chairman, remarked that the Northern Association of Clubs was of the greatest possible assistance to the Competitions Committee and that perhaps a Southern Association should be reformed. [We prefer Sedgwick’s scheme and hope that before very long we shall see at least six young new faces on the Competitions Committee. — Ed]

[Incidentally, any lack of confidence which Mr. Ince and others have in the present constitution of the Competitions Committee can hardly be appeased by the discourtesy shown by some of the members of this august body, who left the meeting long before proceedings had terminated. We have said this before and regret that we must say it again—club delegates come from as far afield as Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands for this annual conference, and every member of the Competitions Committee owes it to these delegates and the Chairman to attend for the whole of the meeting.– Ed.]

Such matters as blood groups on drivers’ medical certificates (at a cost to competitors this year of some £2,000) the new trials-car regulations—consternation when a delegate said his Austin Seven is excluded as its wheelbase is 6 ft. 5 in. —Mr. Flather, for the R.A.C., said since 1928 all Austin Sevens have had a wheelbase of over 6 ft. 6 in. [Incorrect: up to 1932 6 ft. 3 in., after 1932 6 ft, 9 in. — Ed.] — log books for competition cars other than Formula III racers, liaison arrangements between the F.I.A. and R.A.C., etc., were usefully aired. Very evident was the fact that the smaller clubs feel they need greater consideration from the Competitions Committee, which, as J. D. Woodhouse so bravely and characteristically said, is perhaps a “bit off balance” due to a preponderance of V.I.P.s.

Retreads In Speed Events

After full discussion and consideration of further information on the subject, the R.A.C. has agreed to lift the ban at present in force on the use of retreaded or remoulded tyres, and has decided that there shall be no restriction on their use in the following circumstances :-

(a) On sports and touring cars taking part in races, hill climbs or speed events of not more than one hour’s duration.

(b) That retreaded or remoulded tyres so permitted be processed by the original tyre manufarturers or by firms who are members of the Retread Manufacturers’ Association [Alas, the R.M.A. will not permit us to publish a list of its members; in any case, they number 84.– Ed.] and bear the identifying mark of the processor.

Which is very good news for many club competitors.

In events where the cars entered may be expected to exceed 100 m.p.h., retreaded or remoulded tyres are not permitted on such cars. These amendments of existing regulations will come into force immediately and will be reviewed at the end of 1953. The ban on the use of retreaded or remoulded tyres remains in force so far as racing cars are concerned and naturally all tyres will still be subject to approval, with regard to their condition, of the official scrutineers appointed at any racing or speed event.

Publication date of the January issue will be January 6th