750 MC Matters

The 750 Motor Club, the largest Austin 7 organisation of 13 in this country, has announced two important developments. First, Lotus Cars Ltd has agreed to sponsor the 750 MC’s Trophy Series of racing events, which embrace 10 circuit races and a similar number of speed hillclimbs and speedtrials during the season. These are divided into four classes, for pre-1939 cars like those once raced by Austin, later A7 racing specials, the fully-modified A7 racing formula cars and certain others of matching performance.

Lotus Cars emphasises that this link with the 750 MC, while recalling the fact that Colin Chapman commenced his competition career with an A7 Special which he ran in 750 MC races in the late 1940s, is in fact prompted because the Lotus Company, which is back in racing with its full works CT team of two Lotus Esprits, has found that it obtains the kind of young engineers it requires from among these who have taken part in 750 MC racing formula events, as designers, constructors and drivers. Apart from which, Lotus fully supports the 750 MC’s long-standing promotion of low-cost motoring sport. (The series has no entry-fee; regulations from Michael Fetherstonbough, 35 Merthyr Terrace, Barnes, London SW13 9DL, who has nearly completed a Mk II Silverstone A7 sports/racing car, having previously owned the Silverstone A7 VGF 750, and currently an Ulster Replica and a 1929 Chummy A7).

Another 750 MC development is the intention to try to establish facilities for its members within the Brooklands Museum site, an appropriate move in view of the racing activities of Austin cars at the Track before the war, and one which could provide a meeting room, conference centre, space for competition events, and a club office and sales centre. The General Secretary, Mike Peck, is presently at Courthouse, St Winifred’s Road, Biggin Hill, Kent TN16 3HR (01959 575812). The club is seeking archive material relating to racing and other A7 activities, and is making efforts to raise membership above the 2000 level. W B