Reports of Recent Events, November 1948

Reports of Recent Events

NEW ZEALAND S.C.C. PLIMMERTON HILL-CLIMB “

Hollis’ new l’C ” M.G. made f.t.d. in 51.8 sec., a new record for the hill. The class results were 1-LITRE STOCK CARS:

1st: M. Laughton (M.G.) … 56.8 sec.

2nd : J. Brough (Singer) … 62.2 „ 3rd : IL Haynes (F.I.A.T.) 71.8 „ 2-LITRE STOCK CARS: 1st: H. Hollis (” TC ” M.G.) 51.8 „

2nd : IL Tolley (s/c Ford) … 68.8 „

3rd : P. Fowke (Riley) … 59.2 „ OPEN CLASS: 1st: M. Proctor (Itiley) 53.2 „ 2nd : G. Easterbrook Smith (” 12-50″

This) … 54.4 „

3rd : R. watson (Frazer-Nash) … 55.6 „

MALOJA HILL-CLIMB

De Graffenried’s 16-valve Maserati made f.t.d. in 4 min. 3 sec., with Fischer’s Simca runner-up, in 4 min. 16 sec. Class winners included a Lancia (1,101-1,500 c.c. Amateurs-5 min. 33.8 sec.) ; a Jowett ” Javelin ” (1,101-1,500 c.c. Experts5 min. 48.8 sec.), beating an A40 Austin and a Morris ; a Citroen (1,501-2,000 c.c. Experts 5 min. 15 sec.) ; a Healey (2,001-3,000 c.c. Amateurs-5 min. 4.2 sec.), beating a Citroen Six. Fastest touring car was a coupe Delahaye, in 4 min. 52.4 sec., the Healey second.

SOUTHSEA M.C. SPEED HILLCLIMB, HORNDEAN

Leonard’s M.G. set a new course record of 19.94 sec., beating Onslow Bartlett, and Matthews’ Jaguar. Afterwards its steering failed and it injured an intruding spectator-reminiscent of Kop. Class results :

Saloons up to 16-h.p. :-1. Batchelor (Lancia) 27.95 sec. ; 2. Cassey (Lancia) 29.68 sec.

Saloons over 16-h.p. :-1. Nenry (Alvis) 25.04 sec.; 2. Way (Atalanta) 25.35 sec.

Sports cars up to 1,100 c.c. :-1. Lester (M.G.) 23.54 sec. ; 2. Metcalfe (F.I.A.T.) 24.65 sec. Sports ears up to 1,500 c.c. :-1. Harewood (M.G.) 21.45 see.; 2. Haesendon (M.G.) 22.90 soe. Sports cars up to 3,000 c.c. :-1. Leonard (s/c 31.G.)

19.94 sec. ; Jane (Lancia) 21.30 sec.

Sports cars unlimited :-1. Onslow Bartlett (Mercury) 20.28 sec. ; Leonard (s/c M.G.) 20.84 sec.

MONT VENTOUX HILL-CLIMB

Manzon’s 1,400-c.c. Simca made f.t.d. at 55.18 m.p.h., beating the 16-valve Maserati contingent. The over-8-litre sports-car class was won by Guy Warburton in 17 min. 5 sec., or over 47 m.p.h., which beat many racing cars and B.M.W. and Delahaye sports cars, in spite of the Allard having to run on French petrol. It is the pointed-tail two-seater in which Leslie Allard tried an e.o.i. engine before going over to his present sports Allard. The course was 15 miles in length and rises to 6,200 feet.

NAPLES SPORTS CAR RACE

This was won at 59.89 m.p.h. for the 153 miles by Villoresi in a 2-litre 0.S.C.A. built by the brothers Maserati. Aseari’s Maserati made fastest lap, at 68.2 m.p.h.

LAKELAND-DERBYSHIRE TRIAL

Arthur Mallock’s Ford-engined Austin Seven Special won the Harrop Memorial Trophy. Wallward (Standard) was the best Lanes and Cheshire M.C. member,

C. . N. Mays Ford V8 taking the opposite class. Rhodes’ B.M.W. made best performance in the special tests, winning the Riley Trophy, and Pearee’s Ford Special won the Wuick Trophy, Holt’s H.R.G. the Higher Road Trophy, and Rothwell’s Singer-Special the Novice’s Award.

WATKINS GLEN RACE

A so-called G.P. at Watkins Glen, U.S.A., was won at over 63 m.p.h., by F. Griswold (Alfa-Romeo Special), from Briggs Cunningham (II tirnrt n Special) and H. Ksayian (s/c AI .G. :Nlidget).

CIRCUIT OF FLORENCE

This Formula B race was won by Sommer’s Ferrari, at 70.2 m.p.h. for the 1571 miles. Biondetti’s Ferrari was second, Scagliarini’s Cisitalia third. ” Bira’s ” Simca was fifth. Ermini’s F.I.A.T. crashed and killed four spectators.

THE WESTON-SUPER-MARE SPEED TRIALS

The Bristol M.C. and L.C.C. are to be congratulated on holding speed trials for racing cars along a i-mile promenade course on October 9th. The Mayor’s support was obtained, an entry of 64 was received. and 10,000 spectators attended. Kenneth McAlpine got his ex-” Bira ” 8-litre Maserati going really well, to make f.t.d. in 21.1 sec., an average speed of 85.3 m.p.h. Kenneth Hutchison’s “2.9 ” Alfa-Romeo, a beautiful car now for sale, was second fastest, in 21.72 sec., and Poore’s bigger ” 3.8 ” Alfa-Romeo third, in 21.83 sec. Hartwell’s Monaca beat Lones Tiger Kitten and Longmore’s Marwyn to win the 500-c.c. class in 27.38 sec. The Freikaiserwagen netted the 1,100-c.c class in 23.41 sec. from the Lightweight and Finch’s Amilcar Six. Richardson’s E.R.A.-Riley had things all its own way in the 11-litre class, winning in 25.7 sec. Bradnack’s FrazerNash was second, the Spikins-Amilcar third. Johnson’s E-type E.R.A. was absent. Bells drove splendidly in his 2-litre E.R.A. to clock 22.91 sec., beating “Bloody Mary” and Lee’s Bugatti. McAlpine, Hutchison and Poore were placed in that order in the over 2-litre class, Allan

Arnold’s Bugatti being fourth. This event must be repeated next year and should become a classic.

COUPE DU SALON

Johnson’s Etype E.R.A. repeated its Silverstone tactics at Montlhery, setting a record lap in practice of 97.76 m.p.h., only to retire in the third lap of the race with a split fuel tank. The race was won by Rosier’s Talbot Lago at 90.56 m.p.h., time 2 h. 3 m. 52.9 sec. Levegh’s Talbot Lago was second, Cabantous’ Talbot Lago third, ahead of Louveau’s Maserati, Mairesse’s Delahaye, Moore’s Maserati, Versini’s Delahaye and Reg Parnell’s Maserati-so Talbot to some extent atoned for their poor showing at Silverstone. ” Bira’s ” Maserati retired with broken rear radius rods. Giraud Cabantous is 1948 Champion of France.

MAIDSTONE AND MID-KENT M.C. BOSSOM TROPHY TRIAL

K. Burgess’ Allard made best performance, while the best performance by a member of the organising club was put up by A. Day’s H.R.G., who takes the Bossom Trophy. The class winners were 13irkett’s Austin Seven, Lawson’s H.R.G., and Faulkner’s Mercury, while Hollingsworth’s Ford won the saloon-car award. Burgess, Wick and Appleton (Allards) secured the Team Award. First class awards : Jane (Lancia), Reading (Lancia), Yeats (Austin-Ford), Yates (Austin), Appleton (Allard), Price (Price) and Wick (Allard). Second class awards : Morrish (Frazer-Nash), Pentony (M.G.), Murkett (M.G.), Rine (Austin) and Barker (Humber). Just like old times !

DUNHOLME-500 c.c. EIGHTLAP RACE

Congratulations to Stirling Moss, who won this race in his Cooper-J.A.P. •••••••••••• •••••• ***** ••••••••••••••

Book Reviews

“RACING REMINISCENCES,” by G. S. Davison (T.T. Special, Os. 6d.).

This book, embracing 176 pages, is a collection of short accounts by famous motor-cycle riders of their favourite reminiscences concerning the T.T. races. Forty-eight authors have contributed, including Jimmy Simpson, Stanley Woods, IL L. Daniell, Tyrell Smith, L. G. Martin, Freddy Frith, Graham Walker, Ernie Lyons, M. N. Mavrogordato and Freddie Dixon. The result is a decidedly entertaining volume, which would make a good present for those who take their high speed on two wheels. What a pity the paper is poor and there are no illustrations. ” A.B.C. OF BRITISH CARS, 1948 EDIT/ON,”

by Graeme L. Greenwood (Ian Allen, Ltd., 5s.).

This year’s edition of this little work is very like last years, and offers a useful reference to present-day British cars. Not only are technical descriptions provided, but considerable detail about bodywork and recognition aspects are included. Each description, with the exception of that about the Jaguar, is preceded by an historic resume on the make concerned, the data being brief but accurate and of considerable value. The only possible optimism here seems to be the statement that “the old fourcylinder Austin Twenty still covers many miles to-day in the service of Car Hire companies “-alas, most of those we encounter have the later six-cylinder engine. This book is splendidly illustrated and this latest edition has a summary of 1947’s more important events at the front and a useful list of prevailing prices at the back. It is good value for those who still have hopes of getting a new British car.