A speed hill climb at Ceylon

The Mahagastotte Hill Climb of the Ceylon Motor Sports Club, held last March, seems to have had much in common with our own sprint events. Specials were in evidence, and the admission programme contained many reproductions of S. C. H. Davis’s drawings of sprint machinery. “Sammy” Davis is the club’s president. Some 3,000 spectators attended and the event was reported by “The Times of Ceylon.” P. B. Fowke established a new car record in 59.05 secs. with his blown M.G. Midget. In the small touring car class, Fernando’s Fiat Ten ran very well, and Rajaratnam cornered his Citroen Twelve very effectively. Wanigasekera’s Ford Ten was to the fore in the bigger sports class, and Loos (Ford V8) won this class.

Trophies were given by the J.C.C. and M.G.C.C.

Results:

Touring cars under 1,100 c.c.: 1, W. M. Ferdinando (Fiat Ten), 64.41s.; 2, R. M. Hendry (Standard Eight), 67.81s.

Touring cars, 1,100-2,000 c.c.: 1, D. C. Rajaratnam (Citroen Twelve), 63.04s. ; 2, E. Wanigasekera (Ford Ten), 64.22s.

Touring cars over 2,000 c.c.: 1, F. R. Loos (Ford V8), 64.11s.

Sports-Cars under 1,100 c.c.: 1, P. B. Fowke (S/c M.G.). 59.09s.; 2, A. C. L. Bayne (Riley Imp), 66.12s.

Sports-Cars 1,100-2,000 c.c.: 1, E. Wanigasekera (Ford Ten), 63.25s.; 2. D. C. Rajaratnam (Citroen Twelve), 63.40s.

Sports-Cars over 2,000 c.c.: 1, F. R. Loos (Ford V8), 63.94s.

Racing-Cars, unlimited : 1, V. Cox (Riley), 56.44s.; 2, T. S. Jinasena (Magpie), 57.75s.

Amongst the entries were Ulster Austin Seven, 3-litre Bentley, B.M.W., special Fords, 4/4 Morgan, etc. The Magpie has a blown Lea-Francis engine in an M.G. frame, and Glen Dickson ran a car having an ex-Freddie Dixon engine in an Amilcar chassis converted to chain drive. The Riley which made fastest time is an ex-Dobbs “Brooklands” job in beautiful condition. The official programme was very well got up.