LEWES SPEED TRIALS

LEWES SPEED TRIALS

KENT AND SUSSEX CLUB’S POPULAR EVENT AT RACE HILL

ripHE Speed Trials held on Race Hill, Lewes, by the Kent tz. Sussex Light Car Club, come as a welcome reminder of those “good old days” when practically every motor-club held some sort of speed trial or hillclimb—the days of Kop, South Harting, Aston Clinton and others. In the “paddock “there is just the same atmosphere of enthusiasm. Here, the driver of a pukka racing car is carefully swathing the bonnet and radiator of his immaculate machine with rugs, there, an impecunious competitor is making frantic efforts to bring his fantastic home-made cyclecar to the starting line.

On Saturday, May 7th, the Club held their first meeting of the year, and are to be congratulated on securing a record entry. In past years, R. G. J. Nash has had things all his own way for the honour of fastest time of the day with his inimitable Frazer-Nash “Terror,” but this year he had some worthy rivals in J. H. Bartlett’s Salmson, J. Lemon Burton’s Bugatti, J. C.

Davis’s G.P. Delage, and a few spidery “specials,” including a dark horse entered by K. Hutchinson which was reputed to be powered by the engine from Mrs. Stewart’s record-breaking Morgan.

After a perfect morning, rain fell just before the time scheduled for the start, but when promptly at 2.30 the first car was sent away from the starting-line, the rain stopped and gave place to a biting wind. However, this did not deter the crowd of spectators, which gradually increased as the afternoon wore on. The proceedings opened with special classes for M.G. Midgets and Wolseley Hornets. In the former, Kenneth Evans was a comfortable winner in his Montlhery model with a time of 31.4 seconds on his second run. Competition was keen in the Hornet class, and a sigh of relief went up from the entrants when it was heard that V. W. Derrington, who had fitted a Cozette blower in front of the radiator of his new special chassis, had been transferred to the racing class. Honours went

to W. St. Clair Smith, and N. G. Shoults, who tied for first place.

The standard sports 1,500 c.c. class was a Frazer-Nash event, the winner being S. E. Cummings on his specially lowered car with a time of 31 seconds, although he was closely pressed by Miss Cynthia Sedgwick on a very smart black 3/4 seater.

In the unlimited super sporting class, which followed, an outstanding performance was made by E. J. Kleinwort on a red 4-seater 2.3 Alfa-Romeo. Remarkably quiet, the car swept up the course in 25.2 seconds, faster than most people would have judged. Alec Baker would have done better than his quick time of 26.1s. with his Amherst-Villiers T.T. Vauxhall if the car had been running properly ; as it was the car made the most earsplitting staccato it has ever been our misfortune to have heard. Then came a sight we shall long

remember—J. V. Bolster Special vehicle, its apt

8. Bolster This name on his strange “Bloody Mary,” lovingly emblazoned on the bonnet, seemed to give its owner

designer-driver a full time job as it rocketed up the road, its wheels flapping, and the whole car leaping about in an incredibly hair-raising manner. Nevertheless, he won his class, beating Kenneth Evans’s Montlhery Midget by 1/5th second. Before the meeting started we had been informed by Bolster, “Among friends, I advise you to stand back” After seeing his run, we quite agreed. Our hats are raised to a brave man.

Excitement ran high when the 1,500 c.c. racing class began, for the ” Terror ” was making its first real public appearance with its neat new body. What a wonderful little car it is ! Surely no other vehicle on earth, whether on two wheels or four, possesses such colossal acceleration from a standing start. Nash handled the car perfectly, and won the class with a time of 20.1 seconds. Later, in the 2-litre class, he reduced this to 20 seconds dead, easily the fastest time of the day. Bartlett’s Salmson, transformed by a lowered chassis and a smart new body, did exceedingly well to clock 23.2 seconds, especially as it has a smaller engine than the “Terror.” The car held the road beautifully. Third place was taken by J. Lemon Burton on a 1i-litre Bugatti, which had a most pleasing exhaust note. J. C. Davis’s Delage-the late property of W. B. Scott-was suffering from persistent blowing back through the supercharger release valve, but on his last run succeeded in clocking 25.2 seconds. A handicap class, won by W. L. Allen on an old str.-8 Bugatti, brought the event to a close, leaving competitors and spectators alike

with a desire to return to Lewes for the next Speed Trials to be held on June 18th.

RESULTS.

TOURING CARS, UNLIMITED.

1. E. M. Van Moppes (Standard 16), 42.1s.

M.G. MIDGET (ANY TYPE).

1. Kenneth D. Evans (Montlhery S.), 31.4s.

HORNET CARS.

1. 1 W. St. Clair Smith,’ 33.4s.

I N. 0. Shoults, 33.4s.

SUPER SPORTING CARS UP TO 1,100 c.c.

1. Kenneth D. Evans (M.G. Midget), 30.2s. STAN’_ AR ) SPORTING CARS UP TO 1,500

1. S. E. Cummings (Frazer-Nash), 31.0s.

2. Miss Cynthia Sedgwick (Frazer-Nash), 31.3s.

SPORTING CARS UP TO 2,000 c.c.

1. S. E. Cummings (Frazer-Nash), 30.4s.

2. K. Hutchinson (Frazer-Nash), 31.3s.

SUPER SPORTING CARS UP TO 1,500 c.c.

1. S. E. Cummings (Frazer-Nash), 30.4s.

2. Miss Cynthia Sedgwick (Frazer-Nash), 32.0s.

SUPER SPORTING CARS UNLIMITED.

1. E. J. Kleinwort (Alfa-Romeo), 25.2s.

2. Alec L. Baker (Vauxhall), 26.1s.

3. S. E. Cummings (Frazer-Nash), 31.3s.

RACING CARS UP TO 1,100 C.C.

1. J. V. Bolster (Bolster 8), 27.4s.

2. Kenneth D. Evans (M.G. Midget), 28.0s.

3. A. H. Lancaster (Amilcar 9), 34.0s.

RAZIgG CARS UP TO 1,500 c.c.

1. R. G. J. Nash (Frazer-Nash “Terror “), 20.1s.

2. J. H. Bartlett (Salmson), 23.3s.

3. J. Lemon Burton (Bugatti), 25.1s.

RACING CARS UP TO 2,000 c.c.

1. R. G. J. Nash (Frazer-Nash ” Terror “), 20.0s.

2. J. H. Bartlett (Salmson), 23.4s.

3. J. Lemon Burton (Bugatti), 24.4s.

RACING CARS UNLIMITED.

1. R. 0. J. Nash (Frazer-Nash ” Terror “), 20.1s.

2. J. H. Bartlett (Salmson), 23.2s.

3. J. Lemon Burton (Bugatti), 25.0s.

HANDICAP CLASS.

1. W. L. Allen (Bugatti), 17.0s.

2. Dennis G. Evans (Bugatti), 18.2s.

3. Kenneth D. Evans (M.G. Midget), 18.4s.

The ” Baker” challenge cup and replica for best performance by sporting car : A. L. Baker (Vauxhall).

The “Clayton ” challenge trophy and replica, for fastest time in racing classes : R. G. J. Nash (Frazer-Nash “Terror “).

Special cup for fastest time by a member of another Club : J. H. Bartlett (Salmson).

Special cup for winner of handicap class : W. L. Allen (Bugatti).