CLUB NEWS, May 1939

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HARROW C.C. The Moss Trial used hills on the

The Moss Trophy Trial used hills on the War Office ground in the Red Roads area—which might be described as something of a God-send to near-London trials organisers in these congested times. The hills were fairly easy and the entry small. D. W. Price won the Moss Trophy with his Ford V8 and Ken Hutchison’s Allard was fastest in the figure-of-eight special test and established the best performance for cars over 1,500 c.c. H. Blackall’s M.G. was leader of the opposite class and Lawson’s H.R.G. was runner-up.

runner-up. BRISTOL M.C. & L.C.C. cars in the recent

Twenty cars competed in the recent trial, and they found libley the most sticky hill of the day, only five cars climbing clean. Butler’s Butler-SpeCial, Boulter’s Austin Eight saloon, and Cole’s Talbot Ten climbed well. Butler won the first test and he tied with Morrish’s inodel-T M.G. Midget in the second and so won the Full Moon Cup fairly easily. Morrish took a first-class award, Goodenough’s M.G. a second-class award and Mobb’s M.G. Midget a third-class award. There was also a touring class, which J. B. King’s Standard headed, followed by the Austin Eight and Scott’s Renault Eight. We know that there is plenty of very real enthusiasm in the West, and the Bristol M.C. & L.C.C. caters very well for keen sportsmen in this part of the Island.

N.W. LONDON M.C. The Club’s next event is the

The Club’s next big event is the classic Lawrence Cup Trial of May 20th. This trial will start from somewhere near Virginia Water about 8 p.m. and will embrace hills on War Office sand in the Bagshot and Pirbright areas. A most ambitious idea is that it is hoped to film the trial and then show the film at the supper and dance that very same evening. The Club has received invitations to the M.G. C.C. Abingdon Trial of May 13th-I4th and to the Singer M.C. National

Rally of June 17th. New members recently elected include Miss H. K. Ward, Douglas Perring, G. L. Burroughs and.

F. Williams. The Club’s Gazette will henceforth include outspoken reports of various events written by a special observer. Copy for this printed monthly publication is required by the 14th of the month. The Club subscription remains at 101per annum with an entry fee of 10/-, but at the Annual General Meeting held on February 22nd an amendment, put forward by Lawson, was carried enabling the subscription to be raised to a figure not exceeding 20/from August 1930, if considered desirable. Prospective members kindly note.

Hon. Sec. : Paul Hardy, 83, Cypress Avenue, Twickenham, Middlesex. (Popesgrove 3842-evenings).

“THE LONDON-BOURNEMOUTH” The Great West M.C. that its

Great West reports that its postponed and lamented London-Bournemouth Trial for 1939, which suffered from fixture-congestion, will be run on Sunday, June 11th.

THE MOTOR CLUBS AND HIKING the article headed “Access

Following the article headed “Access to Mountains which appeared in the March issue of MOTOR SPORT, a friend of ours reports that he has had some correspondence with the Rambling folk in their official capacities, and that they are by no means narrow-mindedly antagonistic towards motorists or motor-trials. For example, Mr. Philip Poole, organiser of the Progressive Rambling Club, agreed that motorists and cyclists could be very helpful in tlra campaign to gain access to moors and mountains and could Probably be very helpful on other issues as well. And Mr. L. E. Morris, writing on behalf of The Ramblers’ Association, said that any anti-motoring remarks made by speakers at the meeting on February 15th must not be taken to mean that the Association is hostile towards motorists. He pointed out that many ramblers are also motorists, albeit they regard motoring as a means to an end, and not an end in itself. He believed that it is a mistake, and unhealthy, to occupy the car all day and that the country cannot be appreciated by ” separating yourself from it by a barrier of metal and upholstery and hurtling through it.” He regarded the ideal motorist as the one who drives into the country early in the day, had a long ram ble, and then drives home. On the subject of reliability trials his chief complaint is that they ” use green trackways in a manner that churns the turf into a sea of mud,” and some control and reform is suggested—actually, most presentday trials use sections already so slimy by nature as to unnerve the hiker, although we recall one pleasant grassy hill being badly churned-up and a lady pedestrian inconvenienced, on the last “

Gloucester” trial ; the reform and control is now strictly applied by the R.A.C. at the request of the M.O.T. No broad-minded motorist can really find much amiss with the above views. We believe that lots of enthusiasts who do not follow any active sport could improve their health by hiking—only pukka motor-racing is intense exercise in itself. The enthusiast, unlike the glass house owner, sees no reason to follow someone else’s tail light to the briny. He can, and does, appreciate the country. But as almost every week-end throughout the year is occupied with sporting fixtures he has little time to actually walk in the country—though he sees far more of it than those who regard football, the cinema or the speedway as their

chief passion. If the enthusiast ever does motor for motoring’s own sake he will seek fresh scenes and new scenery and, unlike the family man car-owner to whom 100 miles is a stiff drive and 200 miles a full day’s adventure, Ic will need to travel upwards of 000 miles in a weekend, which again leaves little opportunity for walking, save from the car to a photographic objective and back again. However, in spite of the expressions, fecial, nazal and verbal, of enthusiasts whom we have seen ascending such occlivities as Shelsley and Prescott on foot, we believe quite a lot of motorists would enjoy rambling if they knew where to go. Our idea is that so often motoring clubs find it difficult to put over success ful social events. Though the variety is considerable, few such events seem to really bring together members as they should. To ” butt-in ” on a ramble would seem unwise, but we do suggest that it might be possible to invite one of the rambling bodies to organise a special motoring-ramble. One of the problems such organisations have to face is transport, because even a few shillings for rail fare is often difficult for members to find. We imagine about twenty souls normally hike together, so if a motor-club could get ten car-owners with two spare seats per car to co-operate. it would be possible to take the ramblers to their venue, after which they would show the motorist how and where to walk. Providing the anti-social instinct could be overcome, much of benefit to both parties might result and we commend the idea to the smaller motoring clubs, to those whose members are mostly Bright Young Dicers who would readily mix with country-lovers of both sexes, and to the larger clubs who are finding it difficult to cater for their associate members. [How the hiker would stand up to rapid, open-car, folded-screen motoring we certainly cannot say]. While we have not put it up to either body,

we rather think that the Ramblers’ Association, whose address is 80, Eccleston Square, S.W.1, or the Progressive Rambling Club, of 4a, Parton Street, W.C.1, would be glad to help.

THE 750 CLUB The ” 730 ” Club held a most success

The ” 730 ” Club held a most successful opening Rally at Virginia Water on April 10th. Twenty-seven cars followed Boddy’s late-type Austin saloon on a 50 mile follow-my-leader run organised by the club captain, Mr. Kipps. Apart from two Morris saloons, an open Morris, and a f.w.d. B.S.A. three-wheeler, all were Austin Sevens, and three ” insters,” a special ” Brooklands ” two-seater, a 1934 two-seater, an “Army “-type twoseater, a converted Army two-seater, an early saloon ; three ” Chummy ” four-seaters ; Brown’s special sports two seater ; an ” Arrow ” two-seater, a very well preserved Stadium two-seater ; two “

65″ two-seaters, a special four-seater and two late type saloons took part.

Fifty-one persons took tea together after the run, and they were addressed by Messrs. Hunter, Williams and Kipps. Several new members were enrolled on the spot. A list of members’ spares is being drawn up, so as to launch the jumble sales, and a social meeting will occur

once a fortnight. On April 30th the Captain’s Run, to Stonehenge, took place, and, prizes were awarded for the best kept Austin Seven, and the oldest Austin Seven, present. On May 7th there will be a run to support the Dancer’s End Hill-Climb, at which the Club’s chairman, Mr. Williams, is competing. and a treasure hunt will be held on May 13th or 14th. Members who require technical information relating to the Austin Seven are invited to -write to the secretary, enclosing a nd stamp, when he will ask Williams to reply. A badge is being prepared, embracing the Austin flyingwings, to sell for about 2/6. A trial will be held in June, when the R.A.C. has approved the date. The annual subscription is 7/6, with no entry fee, and associate members may join on payment of a like sum. Owners of other makes of 8 h.p. cars are especially welcome as associates. A book of rules is in course of preparation and the committee is composed of Messrs. Hunter (secretary), Kipps (captain), Williams (chairman), Butler, Brown, Head (spares secretary), Brymer (representing the Associates) and W. Boddy. Full details from and suggestions to : P. H. Hunter, 39, Warland Road, S.E.18.

THE VINTAGE SPORTS CAR CLUB

The next Bulletin was due at the end of April, to accommodate reports of recent events. The club announces an additional fixture, in the form of a Donington Race meeting on August 12th— it certainly is a live club. Those who have not paid their current subs. were asked to do so by April 30th, or be regarded as having out.

out. THE SOUTHSEA MOTOR CLUB A held

A Scavenge Hunt was held on April 23rd, and the Half-Annual General Meeting on April 23rd. The fifth Annual Cannon Cup Trial will be held on May 21st and it will be an event of especial interest to those who drive quite normal motorcars. Particulars from the Hon. Secretary, 47, Elm Grove, Southsea.

BUGATTI OWNERS’ CLUB

The Opening Rally to Huntingdon went off very well indeed, with a fine array of Bugattis present, including Col. Giles’s “4.9,” Type 57SC and pre-war ” Black Bess,” liampton’s Type 57 coupe, Clark’s G. P., Lind-Walker’s G. P.,

and Pearce-Jones’s Type 57SC. The Scuderia Prize went to Crowther, who brought five Lancia.s, and the prize for the Best Kept Bugatti went to Hampton, who came on his 1910, wooden-wheeled Bugatti. After lunch there was a run to Stevenage for tea, and with this was combined an Arrival Competition, won by Shakespeare.

The last issue of ” Bugantics ” contained a report of the dinner and dance ; No. 16 of W. Boddy’s ” Special Bugatti Types” articles, dealing with John Smyth’s Rebuilt Brescia ; and a most informative article on Bugatti types from 1926-1939–racing models are to be dealt with in the May issue. The next event is the Prescott Open Speed Hill-Climb on May 14th—a Sun

day. Hon. Secretary : E. L. Giles, .2, Queen Street, Mayfair, WI.

FORD ENTHUSIASTS’ CLUB

Another of the successful Croydon Rallies will be held on July 16th and in the meantime some social events are being considered. Membership continues to increase and a very fine display of the Club’s badge was seen on member’s cars in the Land’s End Trial. The Club was well-represented in the Highland Two-days’ Trial, when the Tailwagger’s Team won the Team Prize. Allard and Bockly may function the Club’s 1912 model T Ford at the Ford Rally and Gymkhana at Brooklands on June 17th.

Hon. Secretary : S. H. Allard, 15, Millbrooke Court, Putney, S.W.15.

GENERAL NOTES ‘ Easter motoring for enthusiasts

involves the ” Land’s End,” if that is at all possible, and so it was with us. The Empire Trophy Race had resulted in a good run in an Opel, but otherwise not much long-distance work had been put in, which made the prospect of Westwards-for-the-holiday all the more alluring. This time the car was a 1936 Austin Seven saloon and it had to be admitted that it seemed a painfully slow and, unresponsive means of transport when the writer used it on the preceding Thursday to look in on Brooklands’ practice, albeit it had been bought and put into commission without overhaul and badly needed a valve regrind. However, late on the same evening our companion for the journey advanced the ignition considerably, which made a vast difference, and not only were we quicker up hills, but cruised quite reason ably at 50 m.p.h. on the straights. A number of club badges were also fitted, to offset our rather pathetic means of transport, and it really is surprising the increased pride you feel in a car, no matter what its type, if you display the badges of clubs to which you genuinely belong and really respect. Anyone who belongs to a good club and has not obtallied a badge is certainly losing a great deal. We eventually left about 11 a.m. on the Friday, and very dense traffic was experienced from Staines Bridge to as far as Basingstoke, after which, as we had expected, it thinned out and left us well nigh deserted roads after Salisbury. There was no especial hurry, and we paused first at a filling station to inspect a rather interesting ” 33-180 ” Mercedes-Benz which some unknown enthusiast had rebuilt, making it look very like a ” Ninety,” with cycle-wings outside exhaust and just two bucket seats, though the blower spied through the bonnet louvres and the front wheel brakes dated her as post-war. Next, we cast anchor to inspect a 1912 Vulcan

, tourer at a garage at Parkhouse, where, by the way, the cross-roads are distinctly dangerous, and should be respected. She was an interesting old car, with s.v. motor having a brass inlet manifold and Bosch magneto and numerous whittle belt drives, right hand levers, and an overhead worm rear-axle with a huge filler orifice. The front number plate was carried on the steering tie-rod and cut away to clear the starting handle, the side lamps were by Smiths and the headlamps were C.A.V. and he had a plain radiator reminding one of a certain model, pre-war De Dion. Apparently she was for sale and may well be in the

Vintage S.C.C. by now—her condition was excellent, hood and side curtains intact, and she had transfers depicting coaching scenes on her body sides. Next a very curious object compelled another hasty stop. At Bayford Garage; in Win canton, we saw what seemed to be a painfully comic cut-down Austin sprint special, or perhaps, a dirt-track car. Enquiry revealed that it was actually an Austin Sixteen, converted for farm use, the frame being cut to give an aston ishingly short wheel base and no gearbox, and ballast carried to give wheel adhesion. The proprietors specialise in such jobs and have sold. a considerable number, as the price—about L15—com pares favourably with any tractor, even if purchased secondhand. They have some secret connected with lowering the rear axle ratio very simply which my engin eering friend would have given much to learn .1f any one is interested, the tele phone number is Win.canton 2207. We had rather decided to spend the night in Taunton, because some years ago the writer had seen a 1905 one-lunger Rover tonneau four-seater near that town and he was determined to see whether the owner still bad the car, for when previously a special journey to see it had been made, incidentally also in anAustin Seven,but one of earlier vintage, the price had been Vic> high. As it was, we got to Taunton in warm afternoon sunshine, and, after some difficulty, located the old Rover in a near by village, by early evening. Alas, her owner knows her worth and we could not have had her for less than half the price of the thirty-years younger car which had brought us to see her. Certainly she is in fine order and has many unique features, including a swinging front seat to gain access to the tonneau and two plugs, arranged so that if one oiled up you went over to Vother. And what fun to attempt to drive her the 150 miles home Taking stern hold on ourselves—and our wallets—we proceeded in haste, observing near Honiton a London coach going at some 45 m.p.h., which my friend had seen drawing out of the Victoria Coach Station as he was leaving to meet me that morning. After an exciting bit of motoring over some rough stuff on the outskirts of Bodmin Moor, where we once had a camping holiday with a Clyno and a tent, we got to Portheothen, near Newquay, about 10.15 p.m. and were accommodated most comfortably and economically at “Glencoe,” where friends had arrived in the early hours of the morning, also from London, in a

Riley. Having appeased the inner man., we were quite prepared to believe that sane mortals would have retired beneath the sheets. As it was, one member of the assembly found he was lacking in vital Leica parts, so at one o’clock on the Saturday morning we dug out the Austin and went aknocking up all sorts of unfortunate chemists at their private houses in Newquay. In Such a state were we that, -when someone explained the lack of response at one house (where you were instructed to ring a night bell) by suggesting that the chemist, hearing the bell, thought war was declared, and, fitting his spurs, fell over them coming downstairs, and landed on his head, everyone seemed completely satisfied . . . We did arise eventually, acd drove to Blnehills Mine to see the fun. The arrival of ” Westcott’s ” Ford Eight radio van and its subsequent appeals for National Service helpers rather shook us, but, after all, you get fish and chip saloons, and hot-dog stalls, and even quite permanent fruit and sweet shops at Bluehills these days—a mere 50 miles or so from Land’s End ! The scene as the late numbers attempted the restart test in the beam of headlamps while Ligger Bay faded all but from view as dusk closed in over the headland, made our long stay worthwhile. The Sunday morning was occupied in conversation with some more friends from London, in an M.G. Magna—” Jackie” Masters might well get a bonus from the petrol people for the big mileage he prompts an untold number of enthusiasts to cover each Easter—and in making remarkable repairs to the automatic advance and retard mechanism of the Riley’s distributor, mostly with bent nails and similar primitive materials, the kind of work in which Tom Lush excels. At 3 pin. we decided it was time to get away, sleepy as we felt in the surprisingly warm sunshine. Slow as the little Austin was up long gradients, it was held at 50 for mile after mile of level going and taken round corners at its limit, and we contrived to do a running average of just under 30 m.p.h. for the 250 miles, reaching London at midnight and again avoid

ing any appreciable congestion. Once, at night, a Type 57S Bugatti came past, to disappear at .speed, and that was very satisfying indeed. Our only stop was at the Salisbury road-house for supper, where the writer was grieved when he could not have a distinctly mixed dish he had set his mind on, because, the proprietoress explained, last Easter the hounds had got loose and eaten everything, so now the pantry was locked ! However, very excellent bacon, and excellent eggs for those who can consume such things were Certainly forthcoming. On the Monday the Austin set out for Brooklands, a quiet day intended. Even this, however, was not devoid of adventure, for in allowing the person who up to then had sat on my left to take the wheel, in the dark she somehow contrived to enter a large, private estate down what we took to be a narrow and little used, but otherwise public lane. After motoring for some considerable time in rather pre-learner-stage style we became confronted by two immense lodge-gates. There seemed only one course left–to .go swiftly back the way we had conic. Then, believe it or not, those gates opened slowly, ghost-wise, and, ere we had gained the main road, shut in like fashion behind us . . . We

made all speed to a hostelry, where we learned that this estate and its gated entrance really did exist and, indeed, is the residence of a Duke not unknown in the motoring world. That somewhat restored our nerves, so that we allowed our rightful driver, whose alcoholic revival bad naturally to be extremely moderate, to try a local trials-type hill, which restored him to his former happy state and also served as a test for the Austin, which climbed faster three up than it had previously done with only two persons aboard, when the ignition timing was all over the shop. We then came back with a minimum of real inconvenience from the holiday traffic, in spite of being in a popular part of Surrey, and London-bound. Incidentally, if you know of a good hotel or cafe near to places like Brooklands, Donington, Crystal Palace, Shels leyWalsh or Prescott, would you like to name them for the good of fellow-enthusiasts? Lots of people who have long runs to make after a meeting at these venues like to feed before they really get down to

driving. While ample facilities exist within the grounds, so often there is the feeling that one would do better to get clear first and avoid crowded catering places. Good places of the right sort near to motor-racing centres deserve all the patronage they can get, so we shall be .glad to publish any genuine recommendations. So often such recommendations, when they refer to cafes or garages anywhere in the country, must fall on deaf ears, because they are so easily forgotten iii less known personally.