HERE AND THERE, December 1932

RE AND THERE.

Varsity Notes.

DISCUSSING the Inter-Varsity Trial next year, we were informed by A. C. Fairtlough, the Cambridge secretary and very much the moving spirit of the organisation, that Crowell could not be used again, as the surface suffered severely in this year’s event. A new hill, called Benson Edge, near Watlington, will probably be used instead.

airtlough incidently was one of the few to climb Crowell, and nearly slew a photographer who, in the words of the Black Crows, “paused too long” in the middle of the track.

As reported elsewhere in our issue, he had asked the Oxford Club to get consent to hold another meeting on the Eynsham By-Pass, but permission was not sought until too late, so it will not be available. Ewelme Downs is now a stud farm, so the famous hill cannot be used, but the Gopsall authorities have offered the use of the drive on March 11th, and are going to fill up the potholes and help in organising the event. For touring cars there will be the short run on Kimbolton Park. Oxford’s share in these events seems rather doubtful, judging from what happened before the Reliability Trial, since before members of the O.U.C.C. were allowed to the park, the Chief Proctor had to have assurances that there was no peril to life or limb. What with green lights and limited hours of use for motor vehicles, the undergrad’s life is not a happy one.

“The Gloucester.”

The N.W. London Motor Club’s annual London-Gloucester Reliability Trial has become a firm favourite on the “Trials List,” and shows every sign of being a greater success than ever this year.

The start will take place at Staines on Friday, December 9th at midnight, and competitors will be despatched at one minute intervals. The route will be 185 miles in length via Chipping Norton, Cheltenham and Stroud, and will include the usual hills. There will be several observed sections, on two of which special tests will be held, for acceleration, timing and restarting.

The ” Greyhound ” Ford.

In the November issue of MOTOR SPORT we published a description of the new ” Greyhound ” Sports Model V8 Ford. We have been informed that the concession for this model is jointly shared by Arthur E. Gould, Ltd., 290/2, Regent Street, London, W.1. and W. Harold Perry, Ltd., Tnvicta Works, Finchley, N.12.

Manx Car Races.

The support of the R.A.C. and the S.M.M.T. has now been received for the Douglas races and they are to take place on July 12th and 14th. The Junior Race will be for supercharged cars up to 1,100 c.c. and unsupercharged up to 1,500 c.c., the Senior up to an =limited capacity. A maximum of thirty cars will be allowed to take part in each race and there will be no restrictions of body size or standard chassis, in other words Grand Prix racing at last !

Some interesting details are given in the ” Isle of Man Times.” The races are to be called the ” Mannin Moar ” and the ” Mannin Beg,” Manx words meaning respectively ” Large” and ” Small Isle of Man.” They will probably start at 9.30 and finish about one o’clock. Practising will take place from 10.30 a.m. to noon on July 6th, 7th and 10th. The road in front of the Grand Stands will have to be widened by putting back the motor-cycle pits, the car pits being arranged on the opposite side of the road and the whole width of the road and footpath will be made available at the narrow part just before turning down to Governor’s Bridge. The Promenade where very fast speeds should be seen will be resurfaced in places, and the tramlines on the road up through the town are being removed.

For High Compression Engines.

One of the first preliminaries to obtaining more power from an internal combustion engine is to raise the compression ratio, which in turn brings about the necessity for certain requirements as regards fuel if” pinking” is to be avoided. As many sports cars available today have a fairly high compression ratio, a booklet recently issued by the National Benzole Company should be of interest to the owners of such cars. The value of a benzol content in the fuel used is explained, in giving a steam-like, even pressure, as opposed to the violent sledgehammer blow resulting from the use of normal petrol.

Copies of the booklet may be obtained on application to the National Benzol Co. Ltd., Wellington House, Buckingham Gate, London, S.W.1.

Car Bandits.

In spite of the scare which has been aroused recently by the outbreak of ” hold-ups ” of private motorists, by car bandits, it is interesting to note that not a single case has been reported by members of the Automobile Association. No doubt this is partly accounted for by the

fact that most motorists wisely confine their routes to roads patrolled by the A.A. Scouts, to whom all motorists therefore owe a debt of gratitude.

“The Exeter.”

In order to give intending competitors an unrestricted Christmas holiday, the

M.C.C. have decided to alter the start of the London to Exeter Trial from Boxing Day to Friday, December 30th. At the same time, to accommodate those competitors who have already made arrangements to celebrate the New Year’s Eve in London, the Trial will finish during the afternoon of the following day, Saturday, December 30th. On the other hand, festivities will be available to competitors at the finishing point, the Crown Hotel, Blandford, so that everyone will be happy.

As to the route itself, various alteratons have been made. After the usual night run from Virginia Water to Exeter, where breakfast will be waiting for the hungry crews, the cars will be sent to Fingle Bridge, and then back to Moretonhampstead and Countess Weir. Thence the route will lie via Harcombe to the usual Exeter Hills, including Meerhay, Black Hill and 1bberton, and so to Blandford.

Entries close on Monday, December 12th, and a full prospectus and entry form can be obtained on application to J. A. Masters, whose address is 22, Norland Square, London, W.11.

‘Ware Frost.

Frosty weather sometimes necessitates a hurried repair to cylinder blocks, water jackets and radiators, and in case of an urgent repair being required our readers will doubtless like to know that the telephone number of Barimar Ltd., a firm who have specialised in this work for many years, has been changed to Holborn 5572. This change has been caused by the introduction of the automatic telephone system. Incidentally, their address is 18, Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, W.C.1.

Parking in the City.

Two garages which have in the past been a boon to City people who travel by car are the Barbican Garage in Golden Lane, and the City of London Garage in Worship Street. Now comes the good news that a new branch of the City of London Garage has been constructed in Wils m Street. The premises, which will be opened formally on Deck mber 1st by Sir Malcolm Campbell, are extensive and well equipped, and cheap rates will be charged for all-day parking.