The VSCC at Curborough

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Another good “twisty sprint” by the Midland Section of the VSCC took place at Curborough, near Lichfield, on May 2. Major attraction was Roger Collings’ giant Mercedes-Maybach, out in anger for the first time a week after its completion. It was a too-short gestation period and the anger turned to frustration when, after a slow practice run, it failed to compete, due to problems with sump scavenging, oiled-plugs, loss of all except top gear and a mild fire in the back carburettor on the long inlet manifold. But its day will surely dawn. In contrast, Mark Walker’s Curtiss aero-engined Monarch was on fine form, and out for FTD.

Interesting runners included the Phoenix GN with ex-John Bolster twin-magneto vee-twin JAP engine, the Young Special with 1850cc Parry Thomas-Hooker engine, and Temple’s smart four-cylinder Amilcar which has a now-rare Boon & Porter push-rod ohv conversion and a Rootes supercharger.

Ben Collings was in his favourite 3/4-1/2 Bentley, J T Williamson had the famous 1908 GP Itala in good shape, and Burrell was in his supercharged Bentley-Royce. Anna Gordon had sensibly substituted Frazer Nash for Tamplin and the lone Morgan 3-wheeler had a water-cooled sv JAP engine. Day in R 14B was wild, Spollon in R8C smooth, on the corners. Brewster’s purple A7 Chummy scuttled round quickly, Gunn was quick in the Q-type MG, and President Clarke drove the Hulbert Alvis. W B

Results (R = VSCC Class Record):
Curborough Trophy: Bruce Spollon (ERA R8C), FTD and Vintage record in 36.47sec. Class Winners: S Roberts (Frazer Nash) 42.12 (R); J Newell (30/98) 48.21, N Hall (Lagonda) 44.76, Mrs Walker (Frazer Nash) 44.95, J Mowatt (Morgan-Riley) 40.46; B Collings (Bentley) 42.32, R Burrell (Bentley-Royce) 40.61; M Walker (1913 Monarch) 44.82, D Lake (Amilcar-Riley) 42.78, G Gunn (MG) 42.17, D Roberts (Alvis) 45.5 I , T Pountney (Riley) 42.54; T Walker (Young Spl) 42.40, B Spollon (ERA) 36.42 (R); D Biggins (Vauxhall) 43.62, G Smith (Frazer Nash) 37.44: G Burroughs (Cooper-Bristol) 38.71.