The VSCC at Curborough

Another good “twisty sprint” by the Midland Section of the VSCC took place at Curborough, near Lichfield, on May 2. Major attraction was Roger Collings’ giant Mercedes-Maybach, out in anger for the first time a week after its completion. It was a too-short gestation period and the anger turned to frustration when, after a slow practice run, it failed to compete, due to problems with sump scavenging, oiled-plugs, loss of all except top gear and a mild fire in the back carburettor on the long inlet manifold. But its day will surely dawn. In contrast, Mark Walker’s Curtiss aero-engined Monarch was on fine form, and out for FTD.

Interesting runners included the Phoenix GN with ex-John Bolster twin-magneto vee-twin JAP engine, the Young Special with 1850cc Parry Thomas-Hooker engine, and Temple’s smart four-cylinder Amilcar which has a now-rare Boon & Porter push-rod ohv conversion and a Rootes supercharger.

Ben Collings was in his favourite 3/4-1/2 Bentley, J T Williamson had the famous 1908 GP Itala in good shape, and Burrell was in his supercharged Bentley-Royce. Anna Gordon had sensibly substituted Frazer Nash for Tamplin and the lone Morgan 3-wheeler had a water-cooled sv JAP engine. Day in R 14B was wild, Spollon in R8C smooth, on the corners. Brewster’s purple A7 Chummy scuttled round quickly, Gunn was quick in the Q-type MG, and President Clarke drove the Hulbert Alvis. W B

Results (R = VSCC Class Record):
Curborough Trophy: Bruce Spollon (ERA R8C), FTD and Vintage record in 36.47sec. Class Winners: S Roberts (Frazer Nash) 42.12 (R); J Newell (30/98) 48.21, N Hall (Lagonda) 44.76, Mrs Walker (Frazer Nash) 44.95, J Mowatt (Morgan-Riley) 40.46; B Collings (Bentley) 42.32, R Burrell (Bentley-Royce) 40.61; M Walker (1913 Monarch) 44.82, D Lake (Amilcar-Riley) 42.78, G Gunn (MG) 42.17, D Roberts (Alvis) 45.5 I , T Pountney (Riley) 42.54; T Walker (Young Spl) 42.40, B Spollon (ERA) 36.42 (R); D Biggins (Vauxhall) 43.62, G Smith (Frazer Nash) 37.44: G Burroughs (Cooper-Bristol) 38.71.