MOTOR SPORT

THE BROOKLANDS EASTER MEETING

RAIN CAUSES POSTPONEMENT OF EASTER MONDAY FIXTURE. OUTER CIRCUIT THRILLS. ” UNKNOWN ” WINS £100 MOUNTAIN RACE.

l3rooklands was a dreary place on Easter Monday. Rain fell steadily from a gre57 sky, without a hint of relenting. Meanwhile hopeful spectators turned up in surprising numbers and the car parks gradually filled. R. J. Munday went out with the Leyland-Thomas for a couple of experimental laps, came into the Paddock and stalked off to the Steward’s Room with a serious mien. Later on, L. P. Driscoll started up the new o.h.c.. Austin and followed Munday’s example. He reported severe flooding in several parts of the track, particularly at the Fork—thus destroying the chance of the Mountain races being held. Announcer Hess explained the position and informed us that the Meeting would take place on the following Saturday—weather permitting ! As if to make up for its previous behaviour the sun shone brilliantly during the following Saturday afternoon, but many of the spectators stayed away. Instead of running a mixed programme of outer circuit and mountain races, the B,A.R.C. decided to have all the outer circuit races first. This was rather a pity, because they were not frightfully exciting and everyone was just ‘waiting for the mountain races to begin. Ten cars lined up for the first race, a short handicap. G. P. H. Noble (Bugatti) the scratch man, had been reported as a likely ” tip ” with Mrs. G. Briggs

(Riley) as a good outsider. G. D. C. Sandiford (Singer) had a big start over everyone, and by ” grass-cutting ” methods he clung to his lead for nearly two laps. Then* Mrs. Briggs, lapping at approximately 100 m.p.h. and keeping commendably low on the banking, pushed her blue Riley to the front, where she stayed for the rest of the race. Noble made terrifying efforts to win. His ex-Noel Carr Bugatti was really fast, and he kept his foot firmly down. Going on to the Members’ Banking for the last time he had A. R. Samuel (M.G.) and Charles Follett (Alvis) between himself and second place. Samuel was

high, some might think a shade too high, and under the Members’ Bridge Noble came up behind him at a much greater speed. Without a moment’s hesitation the Bugatti driver pulled his car. down the banking, gave it full throttle, and miraculously kept going. The car tended to veer outwards again, where it would have struck the unsuspecting Follett, who was at that moment leaping over the ” bump,” but Noble managed to cope with the situation and swept on to take second place, 200 yards behind Mrs.

Briggs. We breathed again. It was a matter for universal regret that C. J. P. Dodson was a non-starter in the second race, for his mount was to have been the new o.h.c. Austin—its first race. And it was an irritating accident which had rendered the car hors de combat. Dodson, returning to the Paddock from the aerodrome, had been momentarily dazzled by the sun and had collided with

a post. Result, a damaged rear axle and split petrol tank. W. M. Couper (3.3-litre Talbot) had been freely ” given ” as the winner of a race, but the problem was which one ? The second or the third, for he had entered for both. It was soon apparent that it was not to be the second. H. B. Shaw (British Salnison) made full use of his lm. 14 secs. start, and it was some time before he was overhauled by C. W. Windsor-Richards ( Vauxhall). Meanwhile E. W. W. Pacey on his Hassan-tuned 4i-litre Bentley was coming along at a fine pace, and had already passed Couper. So fast was he going that neither of the back-markers looked like getting near him, and A. H. L. Eccles (1i-litre Bugatti) dropped out after a lap. Eventually, Pacey worked his way through to first place, and won by 150 yards from Shaw, with Couper soft-pedalling in third place. A remarkable retirement was that of the

usually reliable Graham Paige, with G. L. Baker at the wheel. Couper’s turn came in the third race, a long handicap. Once again Shaw (British Samson) led the field from the limit mark, but this time Couper fairly tore into the lead, and won at the magnificent speed of 112.29 M.p.h. The car hardly made a sound, and lapped at something like 118 m.p.h. in the most impressive manner. J. Cobb was making his first appearance with the 12-cylinder Sunbeam, though not his first at the wheel of a car of this marque. He travelled at very high speed, bat Was over-handi

capped. Second place was taken by C. M. White, on .a red-and-black 2.3-litre Bugatti. White had an adventurous run, for he nearly went over the top Of the Members’ Banking just after the bridge, and slid from .side to side as he came off the Byfieet. Third was the determined Silas*. A. H. L. Eccles looked as though he might figure in the final placings but he had to retire. There were sonic regretted non-starters in the next race, the last of the outer circuit handicaps. Apart from Dodson (Austin), there were R. L. Duller, on the 4,376 c.c. Duesenberg, Munday’s LeylandThomas, and finally Bertram’a Alta,

entered by R. R. Jackson. This lastnamed car was reported to be extraordinarily quick, for it was scheduled to give the Leyland-Thomas—by no means a slow car—no less than 13 secs. start. All was well with the Alta shortly before the race, but when the time came to go to the starting line the engine was devoid of all signs of life. Right down the old Finishing Straight the car was pushed, Bertram letting in the clutch every few yards. It was not until later that it was discovered that the key in the magneto drive had sheared.

The race itself was a runaway affair for the hirsute Mr. Briggs, in spite of a re-handicap. He led from start to finish, but this time Cobb got within striking distance and brought the blue Sunbeam into third place after a magnificent run. Charles Follett (Alvis) was a deserving second. The four mountain races were divided into three heats and a final, and the whole thing was called the British Moun tain Handicap. There were eleven starters in the first heat, with two Aston Martins on the limit mark. V. W. Dertington’s blown Salmson was gaining on them from the very start, with P. S. Simonds (Inyicta) and C. Bagratouni (M.G. Magnette) sliding about at the Fork in their efforts to keep in the picture. But there, people were soon diverted by F. R. G. Spikins and his completely rebuilt Singer, shortened, supercharged, and looking like an American midget racer. Spikins was neat and controlled on the corners, and the acceleration of his car was terrific. Then, on the fourth lap, when he had the race in his pocket, the carburetter needle stuck and he was forced to retire. Derrington, in spite of clumsy cornering and crashed gearchanges, ran out a narrow winner from A. Baron (Bugatti). Third place was taken by a promising new-coiner to the track, R. King-Clark, who drove a single-seater M.G. Midget with real skill. Five cars from each heat went into the final, and

the remaining places were filled by Mrs. Roy Eccles, who drove her husband’s K.3 Magnette calmly and quickly, and P. S. Simonds (Invicta). Simonds and 0. Bagratouni received a mild reprimand from the Stewards for their exuberant cornering. The second heat produced a hectic battle between H. G. Dobbs (Riley), E. K. Rayson (Maserati) and A. PowysLybbe (Alfa-Romeo), all of whom Started from the 6 secs. mark. All three drove splendidly, with never more than a few yards separating them, Dobbs grimly ‘determined, Rayson apparently unperturbed, and Powys7Lybbe with almost fiendish intensity. The slower cars gradually fell before their onslaught, only F. W. Carr (M.G. Magnette) offering any real resistance. In a particularly hectic meee at the nark A. R. Samuel (M.G.) slid between two barrels and continued, thereby automatically disquali fying himself. Close behind the pack came D. H. Scribbans (E.R.A.), driving

his first race, and when the carsroared up the Finishing Straight for the last time he managed to slip into fifth place behind the leaders Dobbs, Rayson, Powys-Lybbe and Carr, to qualify for the final. The third heat was eagerly awaited, for L. P. Driscoll was down to race the new Austin. There were three unfortunate non-starters, C. S. Staniland (Alfa-Romeo), Mrs. K. Petre (Riley) and R. L. Duller (Duesenberg). The limit men were J. H. T. Smith (K.3 Magnette) and H. J. Aldington (Frazer-NashB.M.W.) and the former set a cracking pace from the very start. Meanwhile exciting things had been happening at the start. H. L. Hadley, an Austin mechanic driving the last year’s Austin, had made a slow start and was passed by both Driscoll and J. P. Wakefield (Alta) before reaching the Members’

Bridge turn. Driscoll overdid things, however, and spun right round in the path of the following ears. Both Wakefield and Hadley scraped past, however, and the wretched Driscoll set out to wipe out ‘an impossible handicap. There was no catching Smith. He was just a little hectic once or twice at the

Pork, but his special M.G. was in grand form and he finally won by 250 yards. R. S. ‘Wilkins put in some good work with his 2.6-litre Alfa-Romeo to finish second, followed by R. F. Oats on the 4-seater Maserati, R. C. Vickers(Bugatti) and the scratch man R. Jarvis (Bugatti). The final of the British Mountain Handicap, and the last event on the programme, was one of the best races seen on this circuit. Not only were the cars evenly matched, but they were all well

driven. Of the back-markers, Jarvis (Bugatti) received 10 secs. ; Scribbans (E.R.A.) and Wilkins (Alfa-Romeo) both 7 secs. ; Rayson (Maserati) and POwysLybbe (Alfa-Romeo) both 3 secs.-; and H. G. Dobbs (Riley) was on scratch. The race was over 10 laps, instead of the usual five, and it was crammed full of excitement from start to finish.

R. F. Oats (Maserati) pushed his way through to the lead on the third lap, but Jarvis (Bugatti) was coming up fast and looked as though he might. Win the day. At half distance he was actually leading the field, from Oats, Scribbans, Carr, Rayson, Dobbs and Powys-Lybbe. These last three were hard at it again, scrapping

furiously all round the circuit. This time Rayson with 3 secs. start was holding Dobbs astern, while Powys-Lybbe was driving in a frenzied manner to keep pace with the smaller cars. Jarvis faded out with aome trouble, and Scribbans went into the lead in the nineth lap. He was not attempting to ” do his stuff ‘ on the corners, but was Wisely making full use of the E.R.A.’s acceleration to outdistance his rivals. And so victory— and ;100—went to an ” unknown,” Denis Scribbans, a young Birmingham stockbroker who had never driven a racing car before. Rayson was second, Dobbs third, and the ever-trying PowysLybbe fourth.

RESULTS FIRST EASTER SHORT HANDICAP Distance : About 6 miles

1. Mrs. G. Briggs (1,089 c.c. Riley) 548.

2. 0. P. IL Noble, (1,990 c.c. Bugatti, S.) set. 8. A. It. Samuel (747 c.c. M.G. S.) 14s.

Ten ran. Won by 418. (200 yds.); 11s. (500 yds. between second and third. Speed : 93.32 m.p.h. Betting : 10-1, 6-1, and 2-1.

SECOND EASTER SHORT HANDICAP Distance : About 6 miles

1. E. W. W. Pacey (4,487 c.c. Pacey-Hassan Special) 16s.

2. C. W. W. Windsor-Richards (4,234 c.c. Vauxhall) 398.

3. W. M. Couper (aban c.c. Talbot) 28s.

Nine ran. Won bY3Is. (150 yds.) ; 6Is. (300 yds.) between second and third. Speed : 108.30 m.p.h. Betting : 3-1, 6-1, and 3-1.

FIRST EASTER LONG HANDICAP Distance : About 9 miles

:

1. W. H. Couper (3,377 c.c. Talbot) 58s.

2. C. M. White (2,263 e.e. Bugatti, S.) 188.

3. H. B. Shaw (1,470 c.c. British Samson) 2m. 2s.

Eight ran. Won by 268. (1 mile) ; 3s. (150 yds.) between second and third. Speed : 112.29 m.p.h.

Betting : 0-4 on,. 10-1, and 10-1.

Betting : 0-4 on,. 10-1, and 10-1. SECOND EASTER LONG HANDICAP Distance : About 9 miles

Distance : About 9 miles I. G. Briggs (1,089 c.c. Riley) lm. 158 2. C. Follett (2,762 c.c. Alvis)

3. J. R. Cobb (3,976 c.c. Sunbeam, 8.) scr.

Five ran. Won by Is. (30 yds.) ; its.. (75 3R18.) between second and third. Speed : 95:64 m.p.h. Betting: 10-1, 2-1, 3-1.

BRITISH MOUNTAIN HANDICAP First Heat.-Distance: About 6 miles

1. V. W. Derrington (1,006 e.c. Sahnson, S.) 25s.

2. A. Baron (1,496 c.c. Bugatti) 20s.

3. It. King-Clark (747 c.c. M.G., S.) 108. 4. Mrs. It. H. Eccles (1,087 c.c. M.G.. S.) 5s

6. P. S. Simonds (4,467 c.c. Invicta) 20s.

Eleven ran. Won by 5s. (200yds.); Is. between second and third. Speed : 63.05 m.p.h.

Betting : 6-1, 4-1, 10-1.

Second Heat-Same Distance H. G. Dobbs 6s.

1. H. G. Dobbs (1,986 c.c. Riley) 6s.

2. E. K. Rayson (1,496 c.c. Maserati, S.) 68.

3. A. Pow,vs-Lybbe, (2,336 c.c. Alfa-Romeo. S.) Os.

4. F. W. Carr (1,087-c.c. M.G., S.) 15s.

5. D. 11. Scribbans (1,486 c.c. E.R.A., S.) sea.

Fourteen ran. Won by 1/8. (50 yds.) Is. (26 yds. ) between second and third. Speed : 71.88 m.p.h. Betting : 3-1, 4-1 and 10-1.

Third Heat-Same Distance 1. J. H. T. Smith c.c. M.G. S.) 32s

1. J. H. T. Smith (1,087 c.c. M.G. S.) 32s

2. It. S. Wilkins (2,632 c.c. Alta-Itornw, S.) 228.

3. R.. F. Oats (2,811 c.c. Maserati, S.) 288.

4. R. C. Vickers (2,263 c.c. Bugatti, S.) 18s. 5. R. Jarvis (2,263 c.c Bugatti, S. us. ‘Twelve ran. Won by 5/s. (250 yds.) ; 31s. (180

yds.) between second and third Speed’: 70.67 m.p.h.

Betting: 2-1, 3-1 and 10-1.

Final-Distance : About 12 miles 1. D. H. Seribbans (1,486 c.c. E.R.A., S.) 78.

1. D. H. Seribbans (1,486 c.c. E.R.A., S.) 78.

2. E. K. Raygon (1,496 c.c. Maserati, S.) 3s.

3. H. G. Dobbs (1,986 c.c. Riley) scr.

Fifteen ran. Won by 8/s. (400 yds.) ; Is. m.p.h. between second and third. Speed : 74.95 (30 yds.) Betting: 6-1, 6-1 and 5’1.