KIMBER TROPHY TRIAL
KIMBER TROPHY TRIAL
STIFF BOXING DAY EVENT
When an enthusiastic club is supported by an entry of enthusiasts, the success of a trial is assured. Such was the case when the South Western centre of the M.G. Car Club held their annual Boxing Day fixture tor the Kimber Trophy.
The day was dull but clear of the fog of the previous two days and the new course was certainly an exciting one, for at the last hill, Pueldlebrook, no one gained the summit with a clean sheet.
Competition was hot for the Team Prize, there being an Austin Team, The Musketeers, and teams comprising such famous names as the Haesendonck Brothers, W. J. Green and Flower, J. E. S. Jones and Imhof (all M.G.$).
Owing to the clashing of dates with the Ford Enthusiasts Club Trial, the entry suffered somewhat, particularly as the North West London had received invitations to both events. However, some thirty starters left the Weston Hotel, Bath, for the first hill-Gipsy Lanewhich was considered of insufficient note to warrant observation, but Uplands, the following hill, took heavy toll. A well known motor-cycle hill, it starts with a deep gully, and as the gradient increases, one is confronted with a steep left-hand bend. The stones and thick clay surface caused the first driver, F. D. Gilson (Allard Special) many anxious moments, but after some wild slides he reached the top unaided.
Interposed with the twenty-three failures were well judged climbs by W. J. Green, J. E. S. Jones and members of the Austin and Musketeer teams. The Austins jumping through the gully was a most exhilarating spectacle. N. Terry (B.M.W.) was unfortunate in failing within a car’s length of the ” Section Ends.”
Timsbury Hill, a continuation of the old Roman Fosseway, followed by Douglas Hill both accounted for few failures, and as Castle Hill was unobserved competitors had comparative breathing space before the Special Test at Doynton Lane. The experienced E. H. Goodenough was in charge of this test, devised to.handicap those with locked axles, and in this and
the brake test which followed at Christmas Harry E. J. Haesendonck showed his superiority. Had he not failed on ‘Uplands he would undoubtedly have gained the premier award. Imhof, at this stage, had the misfortune to retire with a rear axle complaint. Then came that freak of nature consisting of about one hundred twisting
yards of narrow, steep and very muddy lane, called Puddlebrook. This ascent had previously been used in classic motorcycle events, but never before by cars, and for -this event was divided into two sections. The first man to make an attempt, N. Miller (Singer), proceeded just beyond the “Observed Section Begins” card. Many almost reached the end of the first section but were by that time axle high in mud. These were backed down the hill to take a by-pass. Then at intervals came E. J. Haesendonck, Gilson, Macdermid., Buckley (Austin), and A. B. Langley (Austin), who all
managed to use about ten yards of the second section, but were still far from the top. They were assisted the rest of the way by tractor, with the exception of Langley who was more or less lifted to firmer ground. And so, very much travel-stained, thecompetitors arrived at The White Hart,. Ford, where the results were announced
during tea, and there followed an impromptu ” down-stage ” party, forming a fitting close to such a day of toil.
RESULTS Kimber Trophy (best : J. E. S..
Kimber Trophy (best perfonnance) : J. E. S.. Jones (M.G.).
Spencer Trophy : A. B. Langley (Austin).
Vice-President’s Challenge Trophy : F. 1). Gilson, (Allard).
Triangle Cup : P. S. Flower (Nf.G.).
Welch Trophy (team prize): The Three Musketeers (Maedertnid, Bitstock, A. H. Langley, M.G.s.).
First Class Awards : Buckley, Mardennid, Green, E. J. Haesendonek. Bitstock, A. B. Langley.
Second Class Awards : N. Grove (M.G.), J. S Guest (M.G.), E. C. Hiles( ndonek (M.G.). A. E Frost (R.M.W.).