Miscellany, July 2002

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Four Rounds of Graham Chambers’ Austin 7 Triple Challenge Racing contest have been held so far, 21 A7s turning out for the H&H Historics weekend at Donington Park. Every one of these rounds was won by an ‘upright radiator’ A7, and all those who normally run in VSCC trim had 15in wheels. At Donington Park, Alistair Fryling-Cork was first on handicap in his pre-war Special.

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The recent Rally of the New Zealand section of the STD Register was notably successful. The Sunbeams ranged from a 1912 12/16 to a 1932 20, the Talbots from a 1915 4CY to a 1936 BG110. Alison Moores rode a 1924 350cc Sunbeam motorcycle. Supporters from Britain numbered 24, including Mrs Brett, STD Register Secretary, and 14 came from Australia. The aero-engined theme was represented by a Sunbeam 24/60 with two-seater bolster-tank body in which Wallace McNair has installed a 12.5-litre 250hp Sunbeam Maori V12 engine as used in WWI seaplanes, the Handley Page 0/400 and the R33 airship.

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The ERA Club continues to include some very fine pictures of ERAs in its magazine, both preand post-war, with long articles by those well qualified to write them, like Terence Brettell, Brian Shawe-Taylor, Brian Classic etc. If interested, the best way to see this is to apply for membership. The Hon Secretary is Guy Spollon, Arden Grange, Tamworth-in-Arden, Solihull, West Midlands B94 5DZ. The subscription is £8.

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Good news for enthusiasts of Alta.The prototype of Geoffrey Taylor’s sportscars, registered PK 4053, has been reimported into this country.

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The Midland AC had good photographic shots of Ken Wharton with Leslie Wilson at Shelsley Walsh, some of the lady drivers at the Centenary, Wharton with a V16 BRM at Shelsley, Reg Hargrave’s F3 Kieft displaying rear suspension deflection under take-off, and a fine colour aerial view of the famous hill, in its MAC News for April. With the season coming up, you may need the MAC Secretary’s address: Roger Thomas, Shelsley Walsh Hill, Worcester WR6 6RP; tel: 01886 812211.

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A person who started reading Motor Sport in the 1960s has purchased for restoration an Austin-Healey, Reg KOX 70, which John Richardson used for transport and raced twice at Castle Combe and Brands Hatch in 1964/65, race numbers respectively 125 and 62. History and pictures of the car prior to 1960 are sought. Letters can be forwarded.

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The four-cylinder O.H.C Hispano-Suiza Bis 20 which the late Alec Ullman, a past-President of the American Hispano-Suiza Society, previously owned is now in this country.

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The class winners in this year’s MCC Land’s End Trial were: D Hazelden (VW Golf), J M Williamson (MG PB), RD Bolt (Ford Escort), P E Mitchell (Skoda), P Tucker (Triumph), R C Chapple (VW Beetle), CT Kalber (Dutton) and D Foreshaw (Ford GVS).

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The remains of the very rare straight-eight racing Salmson have been found in France and it is being recreated with as many period parts as possible which are in keeping, although not those from the actual car.