Club news, April 1983
VSCC First Silverstone
The Vintage SCC’s first 1983 race meeting will be the usual 1908 GP Italia Trophy Meeting, on April 16th, starting traditionally with a High Speed Trial. Once more, perhaps for the last time, the 10-lap Itala Trophy scratch race will be for standard vintage and Edwardian racing cars, excluding Specials, and it will be interesting to see how this is interpreted. The afternoon will also see the 10-lap scratch races for vintage and pre-war racing cars, usually with plenty of ERAs and usually very exciting, and faster, for post-war Historic racing cars, such as Maseratis, etc. The Haggar and Lanchester Trophies and other awards will be contested and although the regulations omit to say so, once again, as since time immemorial, points will be scored by pre-war cars (such as might have been raced at Weybridge) towards the Motor Sport Brooklands Memorial Trophy which, as they say, carries with it valuable cash prizes.
The public is welcome to come and absorb this atmosphere redolent of before-the-war motor racing, sights, sounds and scents to taste, the charge being £3.30 per adult, which admits to enclosures and grandstands, a Paddock transfer costing an additional £1.00. Members of the VSCC can get half-price admission and as the Club admits Associate Members with the right ideas but who do not own pre-war motor-cars, some readers may wish to join (Sub £14 per year and you receive a high-class Club journal, but proposal and seconding is required). No dogs at Silverstone please. It begins to happen around 12.15 with a Parade of veterans and Edwardians by the VCC. Practice is in the morning, so there is plenty to see. Car parking is free — but do remember to unbelt yourself if you arrive in modern tin-wear. . . The VSCC’s address is 121, Russell Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5JX.
Gilbern Owners Club
Since the demise of this Welsh marque in 1974, a 500-strong enthusiasts club has grown up to maintain interest in this sporting range. Gilberns appear regularly on hiliclimbs and sprints, but even if your leanings are more leisurely, there should be something to appeal amongst the range of events listed in the Newsletter, Welsh Rarebit. There are a number of local groups, and information on these is obtainable from R. A. Bonnie, “Four Seasons”, Sutton Hill Road, Bishops Sutton, nr. Bristol, Avon BS18 4UT.
MG Owners Club
The South Leicester Area of the MGOC will be holding their annual gathering for this year at Stanford Hall, near Lutterworth, on Sunday May 15th. Starting at 11 a.m., the varied programme aims to draw even more than the 400 MGs which attended last year. In addition, the Hall itself will be open to visitors, and it includes a car and motorcycle museum. Details can be obtained from Dick Gardner, 11 Palmerstone Close, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicester LE8 OJJ.
Rover Sports Register
The East Midlands Section of the Register have arranged to hold their sixth annual rally at the Crich Tramway Museum, near Matlock, Derbyshire. Open to all makes of vehicle, there will be a Concours, an autojumble, and other attractions. The dates are June 18th and 19th, and the Rally Organiser, Mr. M. T. Couldry, will supply entry forms and other details from: 5, Holm Lane, Radcliffe Road, Bassingfield, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Notts.
Triumph Sports Six Club
Another large area meet takes place on Sunday April 17th at Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex. This is, of course, the home of the BL Heritage collection, so all those Triumph enthusiasts who attend are assured of a great deal to see and do. The charge for the meet covers entry to the Collection, and is £1.80 (90p for children) plus £1.50 per car. The Club would appreciate it if tickets are bought in advance from: TSSC — Thames Area SEM ’83, c/o Mr. Leon F. Guyot, 5 Kenilworth Avenue, Wimbledon.
British Salmson OC
It is nice to know that a Club for a car as specialised as the nicely-made, twin-cam British Salmson is thriving. Founded in 1952, it claims to be the most exclusive one-make car club and as well as the usual activities it researches the history of the make, keeps track of available cars and can supply new, used and manufactured spares to those in need. Its activities do not stop at the cars, as it is interested in the armo-engined side of British Salmson and that of the Societe des Moteurs Salmson. As an example of its continuing interests, it is good to find 35 members and 38 cars listed in the Club’s current Newsletter, one of which is a Hermon, presumably British Salmson-engined. Not bad considering that only some 377 54Cs, S4Ds and 20/90s were made, at an optimistic estimate. In fact, the Club knows of some 23 “missing” cars and only one is for sale in the aforesaid Newsletter. The secretary is Paul Clements, 33a Brunswick Square, Hove, Sussex, BN3 1ED.
W.B.