Miscellany, March 2003

The ex-Sir Alistair Miller 200hp Blitzen-type Benz four-seater, which had a long Brooklands career, has been acquired by George Wingard of Oregon, USA, who tells me he is looking forward to driving it.

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The crossley with Jarvis streamlined racing body which Malcolm Campbell raced at Brooklands in 1925, with a lap at 99.61mph, is being restored by Ray Jones of Vintage Racing Chryslers, in Sydney, Australia.

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p>As another season opens, I want to pay tribute to the many Club magazines which I read, from Bristol and Rolls-Royce to Austin 7. Each with its own style, but all of great interest. Although with fewer cars than some Clubs, and their publications not yet in print, congratulations also to the Trojan OC, Crossley Register and Invicta CC for their comprehensive newsletters.

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Just about escaping the snow, the VSCC held its New Year Driving Tests Meeting at Brooklands on January 11. The tests proved tough enough to result in only four First-Class Awards — won by Clive Hamilton-Gould’s 1930 Morris Minor, John Potter’s 1927 TG 12/50 Alvis, Trevor Tarring’s 1927 Super Sports Frazer Nash and Jonathan Williamson’s 1935 ‘Cream Cracker’ PB MG. Those taking Second-Class Awards were R Leigh (Riley), A Marsh (A7), Miss Jones (A7),

J Mumford (MG-M), N Benger (MG J2), P Cobb (Frazer Nash), B Roberts (Frazer Nash), M Garfitt (FN-BMW) and M Purnell (Singedintior). ‘Thirds’ went to A Ducker (Riley 9), N Candler (10/23 Talbot), Miss Pillcington (6C Alfa Romeo), C Podger (12/50 TE Alvis), P Weston (Frazer Nash) and M White (Riley 9).