Club News, April 1933
Otia
The Point to Point trial was held on March 19th over a course in Herts. The most severe section was” Scrubbs Wood,” also named “Suction Swamp.” This section was timed and the outstanding performance by the cars was C. L. Freeman’s Austin 7. A Singer 9, in the hands of W. S. Fielding, was making rapid progress until a bad skid sent him off the course and so registering a stop.
The Easter tour this year will be to. Devon, where sporting members of the Club will be able to practice in preparation for the” Group Trial” to be held on the 23rd of April. Light car owners will be welcomed as members and anyone interested should communicate with Mr. P. B. Haworth, 14, Whitefriars Drive, HarrOw.
The chief events in April will be as follows : April 1st, Dance ; 13th-17th, Devon ‘four; 23rd, Support Group Trial.
more than half of the competitors retired, while those who determined to keep going were forced to curtail the event and finish at Grove Farm, instead of at the ” Humming Bird,” whence the cars had been originally started. There were some stiff hills to be taken en route, notably Shantock Hall, Pudds Cross, White Hill, Little Lane, Scrubbs Wood and Hang Hill.
A STANDARD CAR CLUB?
A recent suggestion that a club should be formed for Standard owners has met with an enthusiastic response. Already scores of letters from motorists willing to join have been received by the Company, and from London has come an offer of a furnished office and clerical assistance.
Owners in all parts of the country who are interested in the idea should at once write to Mr. B. Alan Hill, the Standard Motor Co., Ltd., Canley, Coventry, with suggestions as to the activities of the proposed club, the amount of subscription, and other relevant points.
THE TRIUMPH CLUB.
THE. Earl and Countess of March were the guests of honour at the Triumph Club’s dinner and dance at the Palace Hotel in London on March 3rd, to celebrate its first” birthday.”
Already the Club has a membership of over 100, with headquarters in London and in Sheffield.
Among the 150 members and guests who attended the dinner were Major Hanna, the head of the Triumph Company in London, and Mr. G. G. Hayden, the Sales Manager, who replied for the guests. Colonel Holbrook, Managing Director of the Company, and Vice-President of the Club, arrived later in the evening, during the dancing.
The chair was taken by Mr. W. J. Morgan, of Morgan Hastings, Ltd., VicePresident of the Club.
WEST MIDDLESEX AMATEUR M.C.
The fixture list for the forthcoming season is as follows :—April 14th to 17th, Easter Run to Lynmouth ; May 21st, Rushmoor Scramble ; May 28th, Committee Cup Trial.
Anyone willing to join this enterprising Club should get in touch with the Secretary, Mr. K. P. H. Jeans, of 89, Gordon Road, Ealing, W.5.
GREAT WEST M.C. in last
It was announced in MOTOR SPORT last month that a new Club was in course of formation, with headquarters ” somewhere ” on the Great West Road. Arrangements have now been completed, and the Club has been called the Great West M.C., and will use Surrey as its hunting ground for trials, etc. The annual subscription is only 5s., with an entry fee of 2s. 6d., and attractive badges can be obtained on loan for 5s. The Secretary’s address is : Mr. C. J. Curd, Delverton, 30, Denehurst Gardens, Richmond, Sutrey So severe were the conditions during the annual Chiltern Hundred Trial that
WEST HERTS A.C.
Regulations are now to hand for the annual London to Lands End Trial, which will be held on April 14th-15th.
The start will take place at Heston Aerodrome, which is conveniently situated near the Great West Road. There will be adequate arrangements here for the fortification of man and machine against the tribulations of the Trial, while the more energetic entrants will be able to while away the time before the start in making night flights from the Aerodrome. Following the usual easy run to Taun
ton, Grabhurst Hill will be included for cars, but not for motor cycles, owing to the fact that the latter would reach the hill before daybreak. Their turn will come later, however, for they have to climb Doverhay, which the cars will avoid. Porlock, once the piece-de-resistance of the trial, is now included, but not observed. Lynmouth has long ceased to worry the majority of competitors, but if it is wet, the newcomer, Station Hill, will give everyone something to think about. Beggar’s Roost is still one of the greatest “gold snatchers” of any trial—indeed, no “Lands End” would be the same without it. From here the route has been altered,
and competitors will make for the North Cornish coast, near Bude, for the new hill, Goosehatn, of which grim accounts have been heard. Hustyn follows, and finally the famous Bluehills Mine, taken by the last cars in the dark, and a straightforward run to Lands End.
The M.C.C. has hit upon the excellent idea of running a Team Championship for the year, the winning of which will place all three members of the team very definitely on the Trials “map.”
Entries for the “Lands End,” which promises to be one of the best ever held, close on Friday, March 31st. Intending entrants should get in touch with the Secretary, Mr. J. A. Masters, of 22, Norland Square, London, W.11.
THE M.C.C.
At the Annual General Meeting of this Club it was unanimously decided to cater very strongly this year for the car members of the Club, and to organise a really comprehensive programme of trials, treasure hunts and other events, including speed trials if a suitable venue can be found. Sporting (and other) car members are assured of a really interesting season. Any car owner wishing to join the Club should apply to the Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. Winter, at 15, Pease Street, Darlington, who will furnish full particulars. The annual subscription is 12/6.
DARLINGTON M.C.
THE LONDON EAGLE M.C.
IN the First Winter Night Trial, held on March llth, only four competitors, out of twenty-three starters, got through with a clean sheet to qualify for one of the handsome tankards offered as a first class award, and these four, W. Jackson, N. Medrington, W. Porter and G. Adams, were driving a most representative selection of cars, consisting of an S.S.1, a Morgan, an M.G. Midget, and a Singer Junior, the last a saloon of not too recent vintage.
The trial started from Bournemouth, and an easy route was followed to Exeter, where there was a chance to take refreshments. Only one hill was included before Exeter, namely DeVenish Pit, which did not bother anyone except P. E. A. Talbot, whose Brooklands Riley decided that its gear ratios were definitely unsuitable.
In spite of adequate marking and a very explicit route card, a number of people lost themselves, and had to hurry to make up time. N. A. Watkins hurried a shade too much, and ditched his Frazer Nash, fortunately without personal injuries, though he had to retire.
After Exeter came the tit-bits of the course, the first being Higher Rill. The sharp right hand bend at the foot proved troublesome, especially to the S.S.
In another six miles came Harcombe, and then Meerhay was tackled. The bumps and gradient of this hill unsettled almost everyone, and the only really notable climbs were of the four first class winners. J. G. Tice had an ominous amount of steam issuing from his radiator at the top.
Ibberton was the next hill, and was fortunately in good condition, and then the main roads were followed, with the exception of a brief excursion to include Capstich, another easy climb, to Shaftesbury, and a welcome breakfast at the Grosvenor hotel.
The other prize winners were : Silver medals, P. Thexhatn (Morgan), B. Pitcher (Lanchester 10), N. Prince (Austin 7), J. G. Tice (Avon Standard 16) ; bronze medals, G. N. Ellis (Austin7), S. Whitelock M.G. Midget), and G. Gard (M.G. 14/40).
WEST HANTS M.C.