The B.A.R.C. Members' Meeting

The B.A.R.C. Members’ Meeting at Goodwood circuit on August 18th, of which L. Cade was Secretary, was graced by delightful weather and produced excellent sports-car racing in three 3-lap and six 5-lap handicaps. The popularity of this sort of racing was evidenced by an entry of over 100 cars, and it is sincerely to be hoped that the B.A.R.C. will be able to stage a similar meeting in October. The races were run off very promptly, there was only one accident and the entire meeting was most enjoyable.

The handicapping, however, was odd in the extreme. For example, in the eighth race Walker’s very rapid 3 1/2-litre Delahaye started with a Connaught and not until three seconds later was Rogers’ unfortunate 2 1/2-litre Riley saloon released, while Mann’s aged “2.6” blown AlfaRomeo was on scratch, conceding 70 seconds to the Delahaye and Connaught. Consequently, the delightful spectacle of the scratch car being lapped was observed, and “Bunny” Dyer was so astonished he forgot to wave his chequered flag, so that this unhappy race ran for an extra lap. The handicappers seemed anxious to pay Riley cars an unwelcome compliment, for in the same race Lyons’ pre-war “Big Four” Riley saloon was made to give an open 2 1/2-litre Jaguar four seconds and Birkett’s fleet Bugatti eight seconds, the Delahaye being only seven seconds behind it. In another race Allard’s latest sports Allard was started 37 seconds before Carter’s blown “2.6” Alfa-Romeo, so that Sydney was in the lead after two laps.

Members with admission brooches were not allowed in the Paddock, a bridge is obviously badly needed between Paddock and entrance, and the Press should not be charged for vehicle parking. To obviate baulking, competitors were instructed to keep to the right of a white line from Woodgate (Lowrey’s) corner round the left curve to the finish, except when passing, but few observed this rule, nor was the threatened action taken, which was unfair to those drivers who did refrain from cutting across. Apart from these few grumbles the meeting went through like clockwork and the B.A.R.C. will be well advised to hold more of these Members’ days.

It is a pity spectating brooch-wearers were confined to the enclosures (the grandstands had disappeared, incidentally), because not much can be seen from those flanking the finishing straight, whereas the Paddock was full of interest.

Ridley’s M.G. was a standard “TC,” whereas Lester’s well-known car has coil-spring i.f.s. and very eyeable coachwork. Miss Lambert’s 1,100-c.c. H.R.G. seemed “production” save for an aeroscreen in lieu of the main screen, the Balmoral Special was basically Riley Nine, with cowled radiator, twin S.U.s and standard exhaust manifold. Ruddock had the deflector head from his Frazer-Nash on the Meadows engine of his H.R.G., Woods’ 1,086-c.c. M.G. had twin S.U.s, six-branch exhaust system and headlamps close set beneath its radiator grille, while very neat was Pierpont’s F.I.A.T. 1,100 with aerodynamic but not all-enveloping bodywork, two Amal carburetters, a neat silencer incorporated in its straight exhaust pipe and an oil-cooler ahead of the main radiator. Under the bonnet of Gibbs’ Riley Nine were four Amals, splayed to accommodate a float-chamber for each. This car started life as a 1930 Monaco saloon, has a welded-up two-seater racing body, and rather special brake drums. Very “special” was Mercer’s B.R.A., with a 1,185-c.c. Coventry-Climax-cum-Sunbeam-Talbot sidevalve engine using an Anzani camshaft, two semi-downdraught S.U.s, and a four-branch external exhaust system, its chassis consisting of a combination of H.R.G. and Hillman, with Mercer’s own front suspension, a Hillman rear axle and Morris steering column. The suspension seemed somewhat supple.

Needell ran an early Ford V8 coupé with standard front axle having transverse friction shock-absorbers, and smooth tyres, and was rewarded by being placed on scratch, with Westcott’s V8-engined Frazer-Nash, and 7 sec. behind a “Le Mans” H.R.G.! Blackford’s S.S.1 tourer even retained a G.B. plate, while the front of Pugh’s “Aerodynamic” H.R.G. was embellished with conspicuous name-plaques advertising the towns it has visited and proprietary refreshments, so that one tended to overlook its tartan upholstery and a fancy fan-tail, the latter, someone remarked, being designed to throw up a cloud of dust at rivals about to overtake. Keen’s Type 40 B.M.W. had its original ineffective brakes replaced by Vauxhall drums at the front, this necessitating fully-floating shoes but being a distinct improvement. About the only other “mod,” was a Scintilla Vertex magneto. Davies’ Ford-Davies Special employed two carburetters on a Ford Ten engine, and the Buckler had a new, rounded-front grille. Murray-Symons’ blown Morgan “4/4” carried a vertical number-disc reminiscent of an early 200-Mile Race competitor.

A handsome car was Innes’ standard blown “K3” M.G., while Peter Clark was driving a quite normal 1 1/2-litre H.R.G. two-seater. Four F.I.A.T. “Balilla” sports two-seaters and several “Brooklands” Riley Nines were present, the former in the hands of Metcalfe, Ames, Ellis and Randell (Westwood’s being absent), the latter driven by Cuff-Miller, Kingston (very slow) and Kehoe, the last having drilled shock-absorber arms, knock-off hub caps, etc. Dargue’s M.G. had an S.U. at each end of its inlet manifold and Lusty’s “TC” M.G. had a Marshall blower driven by two belts and a Scintilla Vertex magneto, whereas Swepstone’s Wolseley Hornet employed an Arnott supercharger whirled round by a single belt. Several of the “TC” M.G.s used extra oil filters. Hamilton’s Darley was an early 12-h.p. Meadows-Lea-Francis with gear lever and gate outside its two-seater body, disc wheels, 1/4-elliptic rear springs and 1/2-elliptic front springs inverted above the chassis side-membersa very low car. Glanville’s Austin Seven, in speed and appearance, was apparently a standard A.E.W. four-seater, but with. larger front than rear tyres. Render had the original Allard, with Mercury engine and a spare wheel precariously tied to its Bugatti tail. Lyons’ “Big Four” Riley saloon had a carburetter larger than standard and slightly raised compression ratio.

Practice produced no excitement whatever that was outwardly apparent, but gasket trouble was prevalent. Gordon Woods had spent the previous night attending to this on his “328” B.M.W., Allard’s latest sports Allard blew that in its off-side block, a spare being rushed to his mechanic from Chichester, and Tony Crook’s “328” B.M.W. had the same malady. Parker was seen to be working on the distributor of his blown 1,750-c.c. Alfa-Romeo, and the re-treaded tyres on the front wheels of Birkett’s Bugatti had worn at an alarming rate. Davis’ four-seater 1,287-c.c. M.G. was troubled by front-axle tramp and the Balmoral-Special went home. Watson’s Alvis was a four-seater “12/70,” Tilling’s 1 1/2-litre “Le Mans” Singer had a cowled radiator and outside exhaust, and Waring’s neat, early “Speed Twenty” Alvis had its headlamps facing the ground to reduce wind-drag. Open and closed Healeys, a Duncan-Healey and Goodhew’s two-seater Healey disguised as a B.M.W., also ran. So to the racing

[N.B. — Discrepancies which appear to exist between times and speeds are explained by the B.A.R.C. as being “gross” times but “actual” speeds. — Ed.]

First 3-Lap Handicap

Coles’ 746-c.c. M.G. beat Barnes’ similar M.G. on initial acceleration and Woods got his M.G. off smartly. Lester’s M.G. stole a lead on Ridley’s M.G. as the flag fell, but Gibbs made a hesitant start in his Riley. Coles had a really big lead after a lap, but Woods was hurrying along in second place, followed by Ruddock and Barnes. Another 2.4 miles, or one lap, and Woods was close up to Coles and Ruddock, and Gibbs was catching Woods. The finish was wildly exciting, Gibbs being right on Woods’ tail at Woodcote Corner, when his Riley slid somewhat. However, he out-accelerated Woods, but as the latter was to the left of the white line (shades of the Fork at Brooklands!) could only get past by taking to the grass, which he did, his creditable home-brewed Riley winning by one-fifth sec. from the M.G. Coles’ M.G. was third.

1st: L. E. Gibbs (1,087-c.c. Riley) (12 sec.); time, 7 min. 44 sec. (64.49 m.p.h.).
2nd: L. J. Woods (1,086-c.c. M.G.), (12 sec.); time, 7 min. 4.6 sec.
3rd: G. V. Coles (746-c.c. M.G.). (34 sec.).
Then: Davis (M.G.), Randell (F.I.A.T.), Lester (M.G.), Pierpont (F.I.A.T.), Miss Lambert (H.R.G.), Ridley (M.G.), Barnes (M.G.), and Mercer (B.R.A.).

Second 3-Lap Handicap

As they were released, Davies’ Ford-Davies beat Buckler, Thompson’s 1949 “Le Mans” H.R.G. led Pugh’s “Aerodynamic” H.R.G., and Westcott’s V8-Frazer-Nash streaked past Needell’s Ford V8 coupé. After a lap, however, Buckler led, but Thomson was already well up and took the lead at St. Mary’s Corner, followed by the Buckler and Woods’ B.M.W. The H.R.G. led Buckler by about six lengths after two laps, and proceeded to build up a substantial lead, Woods now taking second place, in which order these three finished.

1st: B. Thompson (1,490-c.c. H.R.G.), (27 sec.); time, 7 min. 11.2 sec. (68.77 m.p.h.).
2nd: G. C. Woods (1,971-c.c. B.M.W.), (3 sec.); 7 min. 15 sec.
3rd: C. D. F. Buckler (1,172-c.c. Buckler), (18 sec.); time, 7 min. 19.4 sec.
Then: Westcott (V8-Frazer-Nash), Davies (Davies-Ford), Keen (B.M.W.), Blackford (S.S.), Needell (Ford), Davis (M.G.), Pugh (H.R.G.), Bucknall (M.G.), and Cook (Aston-Martin).

Third 3-Lap Handicap

On initial get-away Dargue’s M.G. left Jopling’s beautiful 4 1/2-litre Bentley four-seater and Cuff-Miller’s “Brooklands” Riley. Poor lnnes howled off the scratchmark, only to have the M.G.’s throttle-linkage come adrift as he changed from first to second. So Metcalfe, in all-white attire, led lap one in his outside-piped, tail-finned, “Balilla” nicely away from Kehoe’s “limit” “Brooklands” Riley and Dargue’s M.G. But Crook’s “328” B.M.W. was fourth, going well, and before St. Mary’s Corner on lap two it was leading, with Craig’s healthy 3 1/2-litre Jaguar (called an S.S. Jaguar in the programme) second and Dargue, Metcalfe and Meisl’s H.R.G., tightly bunched, behind. Jopling retired, and a lap later Craig closed on Crook and got past along Lavant straight, to win at a fine speed, by 0.6 sec.

1st: J. H. Craig (3,486-c.c. Jaguar), (5 sec.); time, 6 min. 47.8 sec. ( 67.36 m.p.h.).
2nd: T. A. D. Crook (1,971-c.c. B.M.W.), (5 sec.); time., min. 48.4 sec.
3rd: T. W. Dargue (1,433-c.c. M.G.), (12 sec.); time, 7 mm. 3 sec.
Then: Meisl (H.R.G.), Metcalfe (F.I.A.T.), Cuff-Miller (Riley), Kehoe (Riley), Haslock (M.G.), Murray-Symons (Morgan), and Watson (Alvis).

First 5-Lap Handicap

Peacock got away from the two Connaughts at flag-fall, as did Goodhew’s “Le Mans” 4 1/2-litre Lagonda from Woods’ re-handicapped B.M.W. From virtual scratch Parker did a snap change-up in his Alfa-Romeo but the Darley had gone straight to the Paddock with gear-selection bothers. Waring’s Alvis led the first two laps, after which it was swamped by Rodney Clarke’s and Kenneth McAlpine’s identical Connaughts. McAlpine could make little impression on Clarke and thus the two Connaughts finished, an impressive first and second — they now have slots in the front-end fairing to direct air to the brakes. Peacock’s B.M.W. retired on lap one.

1st: R. E. Clarke (1,767-c.c. Connaught), (18 sec.); time, 10 min. 25.8 sec. (73.63 m.p.h.).
2nd: K. McAlpine (1,767-c.c. Connaught), (18 sec.); time, 10 min. 30.4 sec.
3rd: P. Waring (2.511-c.c. Alvis), (57 sec.); time, 11 min. 0.4 sec.
Then: Goodhew (Lagonda), Woods (B.M.W.), Clark (H.R.G.), Scragg (H.R.G.), Parker (Alfa-Romeo), and Tilling (Singer).

Second 5-Lap Handicap

Metcalfe’s F.I.A.T. got off really well, but Derrington’s neat Lancia “Ardea” saloon was soon outpaced, while lanes’ throttle-linkage again fell adrift as he changed-up. Metcalfe led throughout, Buckler wearing down his huge lead but not being able to catch the F.I.A.T. A very long way behind came Randell’s similar, but “1,100”-engined, outside piped fuel-pressure being pumped up for the closing laps.

1st: C. le S. Metcalfe (995-c.c. F.I.A.T.), (50 sec.); time, 11 min. 39.4 sec. (62.47 m.p.h.).
2nd: C. D. F. Buckler (1,172-c.c. Buckler), (35 sec.); time, 11 min. 42.2 sec.
3rd: P. G. Randell (1 ,089-c.c. F.I.A.T.), (21 sec.).
Then: Bucknall (M.G.), Ellis (F.I.A.T.), Murray-Symons (Morgan), Ames (F.I.A.T.), Derrington (Lancia), and Rosen (Triumph).

Third 5-Lap Handicap

Nine M.G.s dominated this race, opposed only by Kehoe’s Riley and Napper’s Morgan “4/4.” Cross and Jacobs got their M.G.s off well and the latter’s blown car came up strongly from scratch, being fifth after one lap, second, to Kehoe, after two laps, and leading by the end of lap four, to win comfortably. Napper was third for a while, but was repassed by Mayers’ M.G., and on lap three Hasloch’s M.G. overturned beyond Madgwick Corner when in seventh place. He was removed in the ambulance with superficial injuries.

1st: R. W. Jacobs (1,087-c.c. s/c M.G.), (scratch); time, 11 min. 29.8 sec. (68.16 m.p.h.).
2nd: E. J. Keho (1,089-c.c. Riley), (58 sec.); time, 11 min. 56.2 sec.
3rd: J. C. C. Mayers (1,292-c.c. M.G.), (31 sec.); time;. 12 min. 4.4 sec.
Then: Napper (Morgan), Molyneux (M.G.), Booker (M.G.), Constable (M.G.), Cross (M.G.), Yates (M.G.), and Cook (M.G.).

Fourth 5-Lap Handicap

Nancy Binns got her Riley “Sprite” off really briskly and was second behind Griffiths’ twin-S.U. “Rapier”-type Lagonda for two laps, then took the lead herself, with Thompson, his H.R.G. put back to scratch, third. After four laps the H.R.G. had overcome its handicap and was in front of the field, going splendidly, while on the last lap Meisl’s H.R.G. pipped the little Lagonda for third place. Lusty’s M.G. retired.

1st: B. Thompson (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), (scratch) time 11 min. 11.0 sec. (64.40 m.p.h.).
2nd: Mrs. N. Binns (1,496-c.c. Riley), (27 sec.); time, 11 min. 24.0 sec.
3rd: C. G. Meisl (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), (11 sec.) time 11 min. 35.8 sec.
Then: Griffiths (Lagonda), Dargue M.G.), Young (M.G.), Day (H.R.G.), Doyle (Aston-Martin), Watson (Alvis) and Kingston (Riley).

The “10-Minute” Handicap (5 laps)

This race was a rare muddle. The odd handicapping, aforementioned, apparently led Dyer into thinking that Birkett’s practically standard Type 44 Bugatti, a perfectly delightful road-car by the way, was a lap ahead of Jason-Henry’s very fast Delahaye and McAlpine’s Connaught, whereas these two had caught Birkett during the second lap, for they had a mere 15 seconds to make up. So the chequered flag wasn’t displayed until six laps had been run. Downing’s Healey saloon rolled, popped and pinked, the Duncan-Healey retired, and the door of the 2 1/2-litre Riley saloon flew open with a resounding bang. The “Big-Four” Riley saloon was notably quiet. Mann smiled patiently on scratch in the blown “2.6” Alfa-Romeo, and spun his wheels and snap-changed when he was released. By then he had a big distance to make up and on the third lap we saw the unique spectacle of the Delahaye lapping the scratch Alfa-Romeo! Let the handicappers ponder on that. The winner’s time was declared as 10 minutes exactly.

1st: G. Jason-Henry (3,557-c.c. Delahaye), (1 min 10 sec.); time, 10 min. sec. (73.8 m.p.h.)
2nd: K. McAlpine (1,767-c.c. Connaught), (1 min 10 sec.); time, 10 min. 0.2 sec.
3rd: H.Birkett (2,992-c.c. Bugatti), (1 min. 25 sec.); time, 10 min. 46 sec.
Then: Downing (Healey), Goodhew (Healey), Gillbanks (Jaguar), Tipper ( Healey), Lyons (Riley), and Mann (Alfa-Romeo).

Sixth 5-Lap Handicap

Plowman’s and Binns’ “30/98” Vauxhalls went off level, Binns effecting a mighty change on the outside gate of his ex-Jacob, ex-Baird, slab-tank two-seater. Jopling’s 4 1/2-litre Bentley led for a lap from Plowman and Binns, then Allard, going great guns in the de Dion-axle sports Allard, was ahead of them all, and Craig’s astonishing rehandicapped Jaguar was in third place. Jopling’s Bentley and Stone’s 4 1/2-litre Lagonda retired, and Plowman, fed up with his handicap, stopped for a smoke. There was an exciting incident when Rees’ Allard was passing Binns along the finishing straight, badly baulking Gale’s Darracq in doing so — passing may constitute as great a problem at Goodwood as it did at Brooklands. When Plowman pulled in, Render’s Allard, front wheels dithering, automatically filled third place, to be displaced on the last lap by Gale, with Carter’s ex-Gilby, blown “2.6” Alfa-Romeo, from scratch, behind him.

1st: S. H. Allard (4,375-c.c. Allard), (37 sec.); time, 10 min. 40.4 sec. (73.68 m.p.h.).
2nd: J. H. Craig (3,486-c.c. Jaguar), (47 sec.); time, 10 min. 58.0 sec.
3rd: G. Gale (3,996-c.c. Darracq), (17 sec.); time, 11 min. 21 sec.
Then: Render (Allard), Carter (Alfa-Romeo), Binns (Vauxhall), Rees (Allard), and Randal (Allard).