Jack vs Jill

Sir,

William Boddy’s interesting article about the Women’s Automobile and Sports Association (WASA) reminded me of a most enjoyable Reliability Trial which took place in the Hindhead area on February 16th 1935. This was arranged by the Cambridge University Automobile Club, which invited teams from WASA and the Oxford University Automobile Club to compete against two Cambridge Teams, one composed of residents and the other of veterans, or graduates. Appropriately it was called the Jack and Jill Trial. Unfortunately I have no list of the lady competitors but one was a Miss Pamela Lacon, driving a Singer 9 Le Mans, who was an attractive blonde and is featured in my contemporary photograph album!

The Ladies beat the Oxford team by 919 points to 909 points, but the event was won by the Cambridge Veterans with 968 points. The Cambridge Residents came second with 929 points.

On the 26th April that same year, Miss B Daniell, driving a 1935 AC Ace 4-seater, won the Trophy for the best performance with a car over 1500cc in the WASA Exeter Trial.

Arthur Deramore, Pickering, N Yorks.

(An interesting recollection. The girl drivers were Misses Daniell (Wolseley Special), Worsley (Alvis), Fay Taylor (MG Midget), Hedges (Singer), Blaythwayt (MG Midget), Watson (MG Midget), Labouchere (Singer), Doreen Evans (MG Magnette), Mrs Needham (Frazer Nash) and Mrs Montague Johnston (Balilla Rat). The male opponents included Fane (Frazer Nash), Bertram (MG Midget), Connell (Signer), D Evans (MG Magnette) and Whitehead’s s/c Alta WB