Letters from Readers, June 1949

Sir,
In reply to Mr. Verner, I regard “real motoring” as going from place to place in a motor car. The qualities of roadholding, cornering, braking and high cruising speed which add up to make a good touring car also make up a good racing car; but they do not go very far to make up a good trials car, whose suitability for touring is almost inversely proportional to its suitability for trials. I am also extremely averse to any type of competition which is so extremely damaging to a car as is the modern trial.

Having said that let me hasten to admit considerable sympathy with Mr. Verner since it is true that, in the less “professional” sort of trial, such as the Vintage Sports Car Club run, one can compete with some chance of success in a quite ordinary sort of car which would not have enough power to perform to any advantage iu a speed trial. Bnt the modern chassis-breaking trial and trials special are anathema to me, because they are so utterly pointless and useless.

Arising out of the same letter of mine, I am interested and delighted to learn from Mr. Robins that the excellent H.R.G. can be supplied with varying ratios for different purposes.

I am, Yours, etc.,
Cecil Clutton.
London, S.W.1.

Sir,

In addition to our normal prize list this year we are offering a supplementary prize of £25 to the highest-placed competitor in the championship who has driven at the Bo’ness Meeting. This, we would like to make quite clear, does not necessarily mean that the recipient of this prize must make the fastest time at Bo’ness, or in the championship list.