Club news, January 1956

Morgan 4/4 Club Night Rally (December 3rd/4th)

There were only three competitors to lose no marks on the road section—H. E. Rumsey, B. E. Phipps and J. Shove. John Shove and his crew are to be congratulated for such a fine effort in completing the course without loss of marks in a Renault 750. In view of this it was decided to give an extra award to his navigator, J. Tymon. Only one third-class award was given, in Class 5, owing to the large number of entries in this class (14). The total number of awards was 19.

Results:
The Morgan Cup and Replica: H. E. Rumsey (TR2). Navigator’s Award: J. Thomas.
The Committee Cup and Replica: B. E. Phipps (1,991.c.c. Morgan). Navigator’s Award: Miss A. Palfrey.

Class 1 (up to 1,100 c.c.):
1st : J. Shove (Renault 750), no marks lost. Navigator’s Award: J. Tymon.
2nd : W. H. Morgan (Standard Ten), 8 marks lost.

Class 2 (1,001-2,000 c.c., closed):
1st : R. J. Sanders (Ford Anglia), 19 marks lost.
2nd: D. O. Gurden (M.G. Magnette), 22 marks lost.

Class 3 (over 2,000 c.c., closed):
1st: G. M. White (Willys), 19 marks lost.
2nd F. A. York (Sunbeam-Talbot), 56 marks lost.

Class 4 (up to 1,500 c.c., open): No finishers.

Class 5 (1,501-2,000 c.c., open)
1st : A. A. Thormann (TR2). 1 mark lost.
2nd: A. E. Cleghorn (1,991-c.c. Morgan), 4 marks lost.
3rd : S. G. Dyke (TR2), 6 marks lost.

Class 6 (over 2,000 c.c.)
1st: K. Chambers (XK120), 60 marks lost.
2nd: L D. L. Lewis (2,088-c.c. Morgan). 61 marks lost.

Team Award: M.G. C.C. Team (J. Shove, R. J. Sanders and D. O. Gurden).

***
Lindsey A.C. Semi-Sporting Trial (Dec. 4th)
Results:
1st: G. R. Needham (Sunbeam-Talbot).
2nd: C. A. Plumtree (Consul).
3rd: J. H. Forington (Magnette).
4th: W. T. Oxtoby (Healey).
Fastest Hill-climb: W. T. Oxtoby

***
Plymouth M.C.
Over 200 guests attended the annual dinner and dance of the Plymouth M.C. on Thursday, December 8th, at the Continental Hotel, Plymouth. During his speech, whilst proposing the toast to the City of Plymouth, Mr. L. B. Fredman, the Club Chairman, used the opportunity to press for extended facilities for the National Presidential Rally, now to be known as the Plymouth Rally.

***
North Midland M.C. Third Moonlight Rally (Dec. 10th/11th)
Results:
1st (Asbury Trophy): R. Harris (Mrs. Harris) (Jaguar Mk. VII), plus 93.
2nd: C. Sneath (P. Kay) (Morgan), plus 90.
3rd: E. Hodgson (R. Habershon) (Vauxhall Velox), plus 87.
4th: R. Frolich (D. Holder) (Porsche), plus 81 (Special award)
5th: T. Marshall (C. Elliott) (TR2), plus 72 (Special award)
Novices’ Award: D. Lee (D. Newsome) (Ford Anglia), plus 53.
Mixed Couples’ Award: J. Harris (Miss G. Mortimer) (M.G. TB), plus 48.
Pre-1950 Car Award: E. Woodward (R. Bolsover) (Austin A70), plus 8.
Team Award: R. Frolich (Porsche) and E. Sneath (Morgan).

***
Manchester University M.C. Fourth Christmas Team Rally (Dec. 10th/11th)

At approximately 4 p.m. on December 10th the first car left the start control on the first lap of its 480 miles run on this annual Christmas Team Rally, organised by the above-named club.

There were two starting points, one at Burnley in the North and the other at St. Neots in the South. From these points cars had to travel approximately 105 miles to the central check control at the Castle Hotel, Bakewell. A break of one hour was allowed for competitors to have a meal, wash and brush-up. The first car to leave did so at 8.01 p.m. on a run of approximately 370 miles to the finish at a little village one mile outside Bakewell. A stop for petrol and breakfast was allowed and a special test was held en route during the hours of darkness.

Results:
Class A (up to 1,200 c.c.): 1st: P. H Brown (Ford Prefect).
Class B (1,200 to 2,000 c.c.): 1st : J. W. Peach (TR2).
Class C (2,000 c.c. and over): 1st: A. Pollack (Morgan Plus Four).
Winning Team: Loughborough College Combined Universities M.C.
Outright Winner: J. D. Scott (TR2).
Runner-up: —. Crawford (TR2).
Best Individual: J. D. Scott (TR2).

***
Thames Estuary A.C. “Kittens’ Eyes” Pairs Rally (Dec. 10th/11th)
This event is now becoming an annual favourite, and this year a larger entry than ever started from the Green Tiles Café, Hornchurch, on A 127. The entry was in teams of two, who either paired up when sending their entry or, if lone wolves, were paired by the club.

Each pair was despatched together at two-minute intervals, and had to arrange between themselves where to meet before controls, as each pair had to check in together at time controls, failure meaning heavy penalties.

Altogether a good night was had by all, or nearly all, and even the marshals were amused, especially those in charge of a route control on section 3, where competitors had to quote the markings on a depth post in the middle of a shallow ford.

Very great care was taken to ensure that minimum disturbance was caused to the public by keeping the route and all controls and checks well away from towns and villages. The route was so designed that in each section, if completed properly and by the shortest route, each member of the pair would travel the same mileage.

Results:
Winning Pair: R. Randall (Austin A40 Sports) and F. A. Pye (Austin A30 Countryman), 280 marks lost.
Second Award: D. H. W. Thompson (Ford Anglia) and A. F. Tomassi (M.G. Magnette), 375 marks lost.
Third Award: G. S. Brame (Jaguar Mk. V) and Miss P. Smith (Morris Minor), 1,150 marks lost.
First-Ciass Award: D. P. Vandervoord (Vauxhall Cresta) and K. S. Kaye (Austin A40). 1,445 marks lost.

***
Kentish Border C.C. Sporting Trial (Nov. 27th)

Due to the recent fine weather, the morning sections proved easier than anticipated and failures were few and far between, but there were two retirements. A lunch-time check showed G. J. Newman (Cannon Seven) in the lead with maximum points (80) and four competitors hard on his tail-light with 78 points.

In direct contrast, the afternoon sections provided a severe test for both drivers and machines, and many highly diverting ascents were observed, culminating in rapid assaults on both spectators and marshals.

Results:
Alexander Bronze and Replica: R. F. Chappell (1.172-c.c. Cannotton).
Alexander Trophy and Replica: D. L. B. Cannon (1,172.c.c. Cannon V).
Committee Cup and Replica: G. J. Newman (1,172-c.c. Cannon VII).
Harvey Cup and Replica: P. A. Barden (1.172-c.c. P.A.B.).
Shackel Cup and Replica: W. F. E. Armstrong (1,172-c.c. Esmond).
First-Class Awards: J. H. Appleton and B. H. Dees.
Second-Class Awards: N. Carr and T. C. Harrison.
Team Award: G. J. Newman, R. F. Chappell and D. L. B. Cannon.

***
Leicestershire C.C. Sporting Trial (Nov. 27th)
Only one entrant failed to arrive at the start at the “Fox & Hounds,” Skeffington, near Uppingham, although one gentleman did have to make a last-minute substitution of a huge machine for his usual “special.” This juggernaut staggered bravely through all the sections with little success, but to the intense amusement of both driver and spectators.

The morning was spent in trying to negotiate Marefield Brook and Pond, the former stopping quite a few enterprising types. It was after this section that a gaggle of marshals experienced considerable difficulty in getting away, Leicestershire mud not being too good for saloon cars.

The lower slopes of Burrough Hill were dotted with several tricky sections and a special test. These all caused a variety of loss of marks, which gladdened the organisers’ hearts. The last and most difficult section included an old bomb crater, where A. E. Marsh, of Hagley, put up the best performance, only just failing to get a clean sheet. After doing very well up to the late afternoon, he was unfortunately obliged to retire.

After lunch at the starting point, the afternoon was spent trying to climb almost impossible gradients at Slawston Hill, where eight sections had been marked out.

Results:
“John Bull” Trophy: J .T. L. Thompson (Leicestershire CC.).
Leicestershire C.C. Trophy: R. C. Needham (Sheffield & Hallamshire C.C.).
First-Class Awards: B. R. Potts (Hagley & Dist. C.C.) and F. Wall (Hagley & Dist. C.C.).
Second-Class Awards: M. Haslewood (S.U.N.B.A.C.) and W. H. Green (Leicestershire C.C.).
Team Award: W. G. Tinsley (Leicestershire C.C.), J. Goodwin (Peterborough M.C.) and C. C. Robinson (Leicestershire C.C.). 

***
The Cambridge A.C. will hold the “Miniature Monte” Rally on January 28th/29th, starting from Harrogate and Northampton at 3 p.m. on the 28th. The approximate length of the road section will be 450 miles and the finish will be near Selby.