Reports of Recent Events, October 1952
Eastern Counties M.C. Felixstowe Rally (Aug. 22nd-23rd)
Winner.-D. J. Morley (Austin A90), 99 marks lost. Runner-up.-E. S. Ridley (M.G.), 101 marks lost. Team Prize.-Kemp-Place, Westwood, Murkett (XKI20 Jaguars).
S.S.C.C. Turnberry Races (Aug. 23rd)
National Formule Libre Race.
1st: Parnell (B.R.M.) 79.5 m.p.h.
2nd: Gaze (Maserati)
3rd: G Whitehead (E.R.A.)
Fastest Lap: Hawthorn 83.36 m.p.h.
Saloon Cars.-J.Walton (DB2 Aston-Martin) 64.23 m.p.h.
Vintage Sports Cars.-G.M.Donald. (Bentley 4.0) 64.77 m.p.h.
Formula II.-J.Hawthorn (Connaught) 78.53 m.p.h.
Formula III.-S. Moss (Cooper) 71.03 m.p.h.
1-½-litre Sports Cars.- G.Tyrer (B.M.W. Special) 69.35 m.p.h.
Over 1-½-litre Sports Cars.- S. Moss (Type C Jaguar) 75.56 m.p.h.
M.A.C. Shelsley Walsh Hill-Climb (Aug. 30th)
F.T.D.-K. Wharton (Cooper 1,000s/c.) 36.97 sec.
500 c.c. Racing Cars.-K. Wharton (Kieft) 41.51 sec.
501-1,100 c.c. Racing Cars.-K. Wharton (Cooper) 36.97 sec.
1,101-1,500 c.c.Racing Cars.-M. Christie (Cooper) 38.08 sec.*
1,501-3,000 c.c. Racing Cars.-K. Wharton (E.R.A.) 37.27 sec.
Over 3,000 c.c. Racing Cars.-W. Goodwin (Goodwin) 40.94 sec.
1,101-1,500 c.c.Sports Cars.-G. Ruddock (Lester-M.G.) 45.77 sec.*
1,501-3,000 c.c. Sports Cars.-K. Wharton (Frazer-Nash) 42.26 sec.
Over 3,000 c.c. Sports Cars.-P. Walker (Type C Jaguar) 41.14 sec.*
Sports Car Record.-P. Walker (Type C Jaguar) 41.14 sec
Fastest Motor-cycle.-G. Brown (Vincent) 38.58 sec.
* New Class Record
Plymouth M.C. Allen Trophy Trial (Aug.31st)
Allen Trophy and Replica: G. H. Turnbull (Vauxhall Velox); Drake Cup: J. N. Carleton-Stiff (M.G.);
Frobisher Cup: P.H. Read (M.G.); Ranleigh Cup: Dr. J.T. Spare (Vanguard); Hawkins Cup: A. L. Chard (Ford Ten);
Team Award: G.H. Turnbull, W. Roseveare and L. Fredman (Singers).
S.U.N.B.A.C. Silverstone Meeting (Sept.6th)
Sports Cars up to 1,500 c.c.-C. H. Threlfall (Toijero) 56.44 m.p.h.
Sports Cars over 1,500 c.c.-M. W. Head (Jaguar) 62.45 m.p.h.
750 Formula Race:-J. P. Stephens (Stoneham) 52.20 m.p.h.
M.G. Race:-M. J. P. Parker (1,250 c.c.) 55.12 m.p.h.
Jaguar Race:-D.T. Russell 62.18 m.p.h.
Racing Cars, 500 c.c.:-D. Parker (Kieft) 66.91 m.p.h.
All-Comers’ Handicap:-M. W. Head (Jaguar) 61.75 m.p.h.
We regret to report that H.C. Bradford (M.G.) was killed during practice.
Irish M.R.C. Wakefield Trophy Race (Sept. 6th)
Scratch Race.-1st: I.M. Stewart (Type C Jaguar) 80.39 m.p.h.; 2nd: A. Powys-Lybbe (2.9 Alfa-Romeo) 77.62 m.p.h.
3rd: Sir J. Scott-Douglas (Jaguar XK120) 77.12 m.p.h.
Handicap Race.-1st: Stewart; 2nd: Scott-Douglas; 3rd: Leeper (M.G.)
Fastest Lap: Baird (Ferrari) 83.51 m.p.h.
Coventry & Warwickshire M.C. Autumn Night Rally (Sept. 6th/7th)
Premier Award: H.R. Harper (M.G.).
Ladies’ Award: Mrs. C.P. Nichols (Morris Eight).
Up to 1,100 c.c.: K. J. Moore (Singer).
Up to 1,500 c.c.: G. A. Lewis (H.R.G.).
Up to 2,500 c.c.: F. E. Shanks (Marauder).
Over 2,500 c.c.: C. Jobling (Ford).
Bristol M.C. & L.C.C. Naish Hill-Climb (Sept. 13th)
Saloons: Up to 1,500 c.c.: E. Goodenough (M.G.) 57.8 m.p.h.
Over 1,500 c.c.: F. P. Minter (Austin A90) 56.6 m.p.h.
Sports Cars: Up to 1,300 c.c.: W. A. Cleave (Morris Special) 49.2 m.p.h.
Up to 2,000 c.c.: C. D. F. Buckler (Buckler s/c.) 48.6 m.p.h.
Over 2,000 c.c.: J. Weber (Weber Special) 49.8 m.p.h.
Racing Cars: Up to 1,100 c.c.: T.J. Clarke (C.B.P.) 45.0 m.p.h.
Specials: Up to 1,100 c.c.: W. C. Cuff (Hells-Hammers V.) 44.2 m.p.h.
Over 1,100 c.c.: T.J. Clarke (C.B.P.) 45.6 m.p.h.
Vintage: Up to 1,500 c.c.: R.W. Ashley (Frazer-Nash) 55.6 m.p.h.
Over 2,000 c.c.: R. A. Spiers (Alfa-Romeo s/c.) 52.8 m.p.h.
Nottingham S.C.C. Navigators’ Trial (Sept.14th)
1st: Mr. Hollings (navigator) and Miss Sayer (driver), Morris Eight tourer
2nd: Messrs. Douglas (driver) and Curtis (navigator), Standard Twelve saloon
3rd: Messrs. Woolerton (navigator) and Townsend (driver), Ford V8 saloon
Tie-4th: Mrs. Attenborough (navigator) and Mr. Attenborough (driver), A.C. saloon; and Messrs. Limb (navigator) and Beaumont (driver), Standard
La Baule F.II G.P. (Aug. 17th)
1st: Ascari (Ferrari) 123.3 k.p.h.
2nd: Villoresi (Ferrari), 2 laps behind winner.
3rd: Rosier (Ferrari), 4 laps behind winner.
4th: Collins (H.W.M.)
5th: Cabantous (H.W.M.)
Fastest lap: Villoresi (Ferrari), 126.5 k.p.h.
Peterborough M.C. Silverstone Meeting (Sept. 20th)
This was a most enjoyable afternoon’s racing, very expeditiously run off by W. J. Wardle, as Secretary of the meeting, and J. R. L. Barrett as Clerk of the Course. In spite of the date clashing with that of Snetterton, 92 entries were received. The “short” circuit, was used. The 5-lap vintage sports-car handicap was a Riley benefit. Len Gibbs winning at 63.03 m.p.h. comfortably ahead of Treen, who cornered the Treen/Riley at its limit, with Sargent’s modified Brooklands model 3rd. Three heats of 5 laps, for sports cars, which counted for the Motor Sport Trophy Handicap, came next. The first was enlivened when Easdale ran out of “road ” first at Becketts, later at Woodcote, in his 1,750-c.c. Alfa-Romeo and by the usual bowing and scraping as the A90 Austins of Shale and Frostwick changed direction. Walsh’s 2-litre Bugatti with Type 43 body won from Marsh’s ex-Powys Lybbe 12/50 Alvis. at 55.96 m.p.h., Thorne’s Ford Ten Special 3rd. Some good driving was seen during heat 2, as Dargue in the ex-Dick Jacob’s TD M.G. Special beat. W.J.Jacob’s Allard over the line by 1.2 sec., averaging 63.92 m.p.h. to do so. Stokes, too, went well to finish 3rd in his Cooper-like Riley Nine-engined Special. The last heat was a victory for Sargent’s Riley, at a respectable 63.63 m.p.h. from Sinclair’s 1¾-litre Connaught and Murkett’s XK120. Threlfall, with a I.289 c.c. Morris-base engine in his Trojiero, had his moments!
A 7-lap Bentley-30/98-Mercedes handicap attracted one 3-litre and seven 4½ Bentleys, two Mercs and Pannell’s aluminium E-type Vauxhall 2-seater with airship tail. Haft’s 38/250 retired, Powell’s 36/220 was slow and the 30/98 too aged, so it was a Bentley beano. Walker’s won, at 66.47 m.p.h. from Edmund Smith and Millington. Bailey was suffering back-axle judder and Williamson had to poke in 3rd coming out of Beckett’s to counteract the drag of a fantastic understeer.
The FIII scratch race had the biggest field. It was over 12 laps and Les Lesten (Leston Spl.) emerged the victor, at 73.4 m.p.h., from some heart-stopping episodes. Byrne’s Kieft slid at Beckett’s and was rammed, only to continue and spin again, while Higham’s J.P, shot backwards on to the grass approaching Beckett’s. Coombs (Cooper) finished 2nd, 2.6 sec. behind, with Headland’s Kieft 3rd.
A 5-lap sports-car scratch race followed, and produced a memorable finish. Hull’s white XK120 sliding over the line after Woodcote, the winner but out of control, Terence Moore in the H.W.M.-Alta, who had chased him throughout, coming in backwards to take 2nd place! Did we say Woodcote is too close to the B.R.D.C. finishing line? Hull averaged 70.8 m.p.h. Peter Bland’ s XK120 was 3rd. Issard-Davies’ Allard shed much fuel. The up-to-2½-litre section was won by Hely’s Healey. at 65.3 m.p.h., from Venn’s Healey. A similar race for smaller sports cars followed, the Trojiero.M.G. winning the 1½-litre division at 66.45 m.p.h., Sinclair’s Connaught the 2-litre section at 66.57 m.p.h. The respective placed men were Sargent (Riley) and Sears (Frazer-Nash); Steed’s blown Ford Ten and Evans’ Nimrod. The angle of Griffin’s inner front wheel when cornering took all our attention! Next, a 12-lap scratch race for XK120s, in which Russell chased but couldn’t catch Hemsworth (who won at 71.19 m.p.h.). Murkett and Bland had a fine scrap until the latter retired and Sudborough used more rubber than the others.
The meeting concluded with the Motor Sport Handicap in which C. M. Sears fairly threw his Frazer-Nash into the corners, a fine effort which gave him 6th place and one more point, making him winner of the Trophy (see this page). His T.T. Replica ‘Nash has a modern 1½-litre two-carburetter Lea-Francis engine with a 9.8 to 1 compression ratio. The race winner was Jacob’s Allard, at 65.42 m.p.h., comfortably ahead of Venn’s Healey Silverstone and Thorne’s Ford Special. After which the rain fell.
Modena FII G.P. (Sept. 14th)
1st: Villoresi (Ferrari) 1hr. 51 min. 21 sec. 124.3 k.p.h.
2nd: Gonzalez (Maserati) 1 hr. 51 min.. 21.8 sec.
3rd: Sighinolfi/Ascari (Ferrari) 1 hr. 51 min. 49.6 sec.
Ceylon M.S.C. Karandupona Hill-Climb (Sept. 14th)
Up to 750 c.c.-V.E.H. de Mel (Renault) 91.0 sec.
751-1,100 c.c.- C. U. de Silva (Morris Minor) 85.0 sec.
1,101-1,500 c.c.- E. Mason (Riley) 75.0 sec.
2,000-3,000 c.c.- E. Mason (Riley) 68.5 sec.
Sports Cars- A. Senanayake (M.G.) 66.8 sec.
Racing Cars- S.G. Bilton (Cooper 500) 57.9 sec.
Aston-Martin O.C. Snetterton Meeting (Sept. 20th)
First Sports Car Race.- B. Wyatt (Bugatti) 71.46 m.p.h.
Second Sports Car Race.- P. Worsley (Bentley) 70.17 m.p.h.
First Aston-Martin Race.- P. Stewart 70.05 m.p.h.
Second Aston-Martin Race.- R. Meredith 64.84 m.p.h.
Invitation Race.- A.W. Birrell (E.R.A.) 77.34 m.p.h.
Formule Libre Race.- J. Barber (Cooper-Bristol) 80.45 m.p.h.
P. D. Gammon’s Morgan Plus Four
P. D. Gammon’s Morgan, which has performed well at recent club race meetings and which strongly challenged Sears’ fast Lea-Francis-engined Frazer-Nash during the 750 M.C. 6-hour race, has the 1,998-c.c. Vanguard engine which Peter Clark used to race in a single-seater H.R.G. The capacity has been reduced from the normal 2,088-c.c. by first linering down and then reboring to 83 mm. The cylinder head and manifolding has been prepared by J. Lucas, who makes Gammon’s 1½-litre M.G. Special go so quickly. Two 1½ in. horizontal S.Us, are used, on a branch manifold. The compression ratio is 7.8 to 1 and 20 b.h.p. more than that attained by the untuned Vanguard engine is developed. The 4.1 to 1 axle ratio is used, but in conjunction with 6.00 by 16 back tyres. The front wheels carry 5.25 by 16 tyres. The chassis has been lightened and a lightweight 2-seater body and helmet front wings fitted, the Morgan scaling about 13 cwt. Naturally, it possesses excellent acceleration although at present the maximum speed is in the region of 80 m.p.h.
The address of E. J. Newton. Hon. Sec. of the Bugatti O.C., is now: “Squirrels,” Talbot Drive. Streetly, near Sutton Coldfield.
London M.C. London Rally (Sept. 19th/20th)
The London Rally was an extremely successful and well-organised event of which the R.A.C. fully approved, Col. Barnes going round the entire course with the Clerk of the Course, A. G. Imhof, in his Allard saloon. 312 entered, 298 started and 223 finished the course – but only three crews retained clean sheets, those of the Morgan Plus Four, Vauxhall saloon and the Jaguar of Ian Appleyard. Outright winner was Ray (Plus Four). We note the cup for best performance by a mixed crew and wonder if the R.A.C. will demand marriage licences along with the other paper work if this idea develops.
Wick Challenge Trophy.-J. H. Ray and J. C. Dixon (Morgan Plus Four)
Nor’wester Trophy.-R. P. N. Stark and J. A. Ambrose (Vauxhall)
Juniper Trophy (Best “Special “).-E. Ainsworth and J. Beckett (Triumph)
Coupe des Dames.-Mrs. L.. E. Grounds and Miss D. Reece (Morris Minor).
Class Winners.-A. S. McDonald and R. Baxendale (H.R.G.), P. G. Cooper and O.L. Leighton (Hillman), P. H. Channon and H. C. O’Hara Moore (Riley), B. Blundell end E. B. Hunt (M.G.). Members’ Award.-W. A. G. Goodall and T. Hall (Morgan Plus Four). Committee Award,-I. Appleyard and M. Wilson (Jaguar). Navigators’ Awards.-J. C. Dixon and J. Beckett. Team Prize.-Team 31 = J. D. Leavesley and H. H. A. Sanders (Hillman), P. C. Harper and J. Kemsley (Hillman), and P. Stark and J. Ambrose (Vauxhall). Mixed Crew Cup.-C. A. Leavens and Mrs. Leavens (Jowett).
W. Hants & Dorset C.C. Speed Trial, Ibsley (Sept. 20th)
F.T.D..-D. Richmond (Rapier Special, s/c.) 31.24 sec.
Best Lady.-Mrs. E. M. Martin (Jaguar) 34.79 sec.
750 Formula.-G. D. Adamson (Austin) 39.87 sec.
Sports Cars up to 3,000 c.c.-J. N. Dobbs (J.N.D. Special) 35.68 sec.
Sports Cars over 3,000 c.c.-E. M. Martin (Jaguar) 31.68 sec.
Closed Cars up to 1,750 c.c.-M.Malan (H.R.G.) 38.81 sec.
Closed Cars over 1,750 c.c.-E. B. Wadsworth (Healey) 36.40 sec.
Racing Cars up to 500 c.c.-H. W. Norton (Cooper-J.A.P.) 32.26 sec.
Racing Cars over 500 c.c.-D. Richmond (Rapier Special) 31.24 sec.
Half-Litre C.C. at Brands Hatch (Sept. 21st)
Senior Race.-D. Parker (Kieft) 68.36 m.p.h.
Junior Race.-G. G. Smith (Arnott) 63.57 m.p.h.
Juniors and Seniors.-G. G. Smith (Arnott) 63.57 m.p.h.
Consolation Race.-A. Loens (Kieft) 67.17 m.p.h.
C. M. Sears Wins Motor Sport Clubs Trophy
The following table shows how the 1952 Motor Sport Clubs Trophy Contest was decided at Silverstone :
May 3rd.-V.S.C.C.
1st: Gibbs (Riley) 6 pts
2nd: Mason (Bentley) 5 pts.
3rd: Wilmshurst (Bentley) 4 pts.
4th: Bailey (Bentley) 3 pts.
5th: Sears (Frazer-Nash) 2 pts.
6th: Moss (Alfa-Romeo) 1 pt.
June 7th.-8 Clubs
1st: Friend (H.R.G.) 6 pts
2nd: Rayner (Buckler) 5 pts.
3rd: Taylor (Ford-Austin) 4 pts.
4th: Sears (Frazer-Nash) 3 pts.
5th: Mrs. Mitchell (H.R.G.) 2 pts.
6th: Rogers (Riley) 1 pt.
July 26th.-Aston-Martin O.C.
1st: Sears (Frazer-Nash) 11 pts
2nd: Staniforth (Aston-Martin) 5 pts.
3rd: Taylor (Austin-Ford) 8 pts.
4th: Mallock (Austin Seven) 3 pts.
5th: Green (H.R.G.) 2 pts.
6th: Mrs. Mitchell (Allard) 3 pts.
Sept. 13th.-M.C.C.
1st: Freedman (Jupiter) 6 pts
2nd: Thomas (Jupiter) 5 pts.
3rd: Hely (Healey) 4 pts.
4th: Hemswoth (Jaguar) 3 pts.
5th: Gibbs (Riley) 8 pts.
6th: Morgan (Morgan) 1 pt.
Sept. 20th.-Peterborough M.C.
1st: Jacobs (Allard) 6 pts
2nd: Venn (Healey) 5 pts.
3rd: Thorne (Ford Special) 4 pts.
4th: Murkett (Jaguar) 3 pts.
5th: Shale (Austin) 2 pts.
6th: Sears (Frazer-Nash) 12 pts.
Final Placings:
1st: C.M. Sears (Frazer-Nash) 12 pts.
2nd: F. B. Taylor (Austin-Ford) and L. Gibbs (Riley) 8 pts. each