Miscellany, February 2003

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The VSCC ended its 2002 trials season with the exacting Lakeland Trial, which had 14 sections to attempt, including the dreaded Drumhouse, so steep that drivers of 2WB cars were given the option of a tractor to provide a controlled descent The entry, in two classes, totalled a splendid 109. Again Austin 7s predominated (41), understandably, with high petrol costs, and their easy trailering and spares availability. Although there was rain the day before, a spell of dry weather had made the once-dreaded Drumhouse section very easy. Best overall performance was made by Geraint Owen in his 1930 Morris-JAP Special, with two-marks lead over the next best driver, Ben Collings in a 1925 3/4.5 litre Bentley, who won the opposite class, the respective awards the Bridge Trophy and the Kirkstile Plate. The most successful lady driver was Mrs Jane Tomlinson in the 1928 GN-Austin. Class 1B was won by Andy Johnson’s Type 13 Bugatti, one mark ahead of Andrew Fox’s 1927 A7. Two Model-A Fords contested Class 2A and Bryan Gill’s 1928 P-type Lea-Francis led Class 2B. It was a close-run event, with 11 First Class Awards gained, six by A7s. Clark’s HRG, Cassidy’s Riley Special, Diffey’s Humbug dogcart, Faulkner’s Riley, Williamson’s MG PB, Glover’s 12/50 Alvis, Stowe’s A7 Ulster and Threlfall’s Ford retired, the last-named deciding it had had enough after netting the Chris Browning Award for having travelled the furthest distance by road to the start.

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Having opened its season with driving tests at Brooklands, the VSCC’s next fixture is the Measham Night Trial on January 25/26. The year’s fixture list comprises a fine variety of 35 events, ending with winter driving tests on December 6,2003.