Reliability Trials.

Reliability Trials.

S1R,—Your contributor, ” Boanerges,” once again has brought forward a point which has been troubling a number of us for some time past—the question of these tedious night sections in Reliability Trials. It is true that still there are a number of enthusiasts who considt:r that a trial is not a real trial, unless it includes a two hundred mile journey by night with the possibility of unfavourable weather con

ditions. At the same time there are those of us who, as we grow a little older, wonder where the real point of the night section lies.

One finds little or no adventure in such a run and it is doubtful if there is any real camerarderie. experienced whilst waiting an hour up a draughty side lane for the final check before breakfast. I think perhaps that the scheme which has on occasion been adopted by the Brighton and Hove Motor Club could be followed to advantage by other organising bodies, namely, that there should be two sections of the Trial.–The night run, run under trial schedule conditions for those who care to enjoy this phase of the Sport coupled with the Trial proper which starts in the observed section district the next morning for those who prefer a warm bed.

In order that the latter shall enjoy no advantage by reason of their greater freshness in the observed sections, it would be perhaps better to augment this plan by the donation of say two bonus marks for all those who undergo the night run.

The alternative is, of course, the scheme. as mentioned by Boa.nerges, and as adopted by the M.C.C. in their Sporting one day event. This example has already been followed by The Light Car Club in their Buxton to Buxton Trial.

It will be interesting to hear from the Organisers of Classic Trials such as the Barnstaple—The Brighton to Beer—The Liverpool 2100, and the Gloucester Trials. as to whether they will consider this. method of running the trials for 1934. These trials are now so well established that I do not think they need fear that their entry list will be effected.

From the Clubs points of view I should say that the scheme is worthy of consideration if only because of the minimising of the organisation necessary. It would be interesting in a way to hear from the Trials Secretary of the above mentioned Clubs as to the pros. and cons. of running Trials without the night section from their separate points of view. I am, yours etc.,

R. GASPAR.

Coulsdon, Surrey.