J.C.C. MEMBERS AT BROOKLANDS
).C.C. MEMBERS AT BROOKLANDS HIGH-SPEED TRIALS, ONE AND TWO-LAP HANDICAPS, AND DRIVING SKILL COMPETITIONS GIVE AN ENJOYABLE DAY AT THE TRACK.
SINCE its inception many years ago— was it in 1925 ?—the J.C.C. High Speed Trials have always attracted a vast number. of entries. In later years a series of one-lap handicaps and other events have been added to the programme, making the J.C.C. Members Day the most popular of the club’s fixtures. On the morning of June 30th the Paddock presented a busy spectacle ; cars of all sizes and shapes receiving last minute attentions from their loving owners. Then the various high-speed trials were run off, a course with bends having to be covered for approximately one hour. The usual hairpin was made by the Vickers Sheds, after which the competitors took the Chronograph Villa corner, went up the Furlong Straight and on to the outer circuit. The scrapping was terrific, as usual, the occasion being a suitable one for settling disputes as to the speed and reliability of rival cars. One of the most interesting was that between C. J. Turner, on the supercharged 4k-1itre Bentley he used to race at Brooklands last year, and
R. D. Tong on a 41-litre Lagonda. The former got the better of the argument by the narrow margin of one second !
After a lunch interval, interspersed by a great deal of talk, the afternoon programme was begun with four one-lap handicaps. Among these races the first Lancia success for many years at Brooklands was recorded by A. R. Samuel, at a speed of 70.05 m.p.h. The highest winning speed of this series was made by H. P. A. Peaty’s Frazer Nash, at 76.97 m.p.h. Then came three two-lap handicaps, the most exciting being that won by E. K. Rayson on a Type 43 l3ugatti. His speed from scratch was 95.41 m.p.h. The racing concluded with two one-make one-lap handicaps, for M.G. and Singers respectively. In the first L. Levy, driving a Midget, beat Miss Evans on an L type Magna at a speed of 67.30 m.p.h. J. Rennick, on a Nine sports four-seater, won the Singer race at 59.86 m.p.h. The driving skill competition consisted of threading one’s way through a line of flags, broken at intervals, and served to
demonstrate the remarkable manwuvring abilities of the 8 h.p. Ford. In the hands of M. H. Fortlage one of these cars simply streaked along, its time of 17 secs. being way ahead of everybody, although it was only eligible for class 1. The remaining class winners were R. C. Percival (Frazer Nash) 28.8 sees., and Miss S. P. Richardson (Ford V.8) 44 secs.
In accordance with tradition the day closed with the Test Hill Sweepstake, in which acceleration from a standing start is of paramount importance. In the supersports class a perfectly incredible climb was made by R. M. Strang, on a RailtonTerraplane. Assisted by a beautifully clean getaway, Strang’s time was only 9 seconds, an unofficial record for an unblown car. Peaty’s Frazer Nash was second in 10.4 Secs., the same time being taken by the winner of the sports class, R. D. Tong (41-litre Lagonda).
Incidentally, Mr. Secretary Dyer dealt with his 350 entries in the calm, workmanlike manner which always ensures the success of J.C.C. events.