MOTOR SPORT AND DONINGTON
MOTOR SPORT AND DONINGTON SINCE the first motor race at Donington in 1933, original illustrations and reports of every race meeting held there have been published in MOTOR SPORT. The illustrations were the work of the MOTOR SPORT staff photographers, and were therefore exclusive to this
journal. That they were appreciated is proved by the fact that hundreds of enlargements have been bought by readers.
In spite of this journal’s generous treatment of Donington Park, the authorities have refused to renew the Photographers’ Track Pass held by MOTOR SPORT since Donington first opened as a motor racing centre.
Mr. Fred Cramer, resident Clerk of the Course, informed us on the telephone (our letters were unanswered) that he is powerless to alter the decision of the recently formed Press Committee, whose province it is to issue Track Passes. He added the only newspaper and journal to receive Track Passes are the ” Autocar ” and “Motor,” and that the remainder of the Press would have to buy their photographs from the Photographic News Agencies to whom Track Passes have been issued. He also stated that this move had been made in compliance with the request of the R.A.C. that as few people as possible should be allowed access to the actual circuit this year, in order to avoid the vast crowds that endangered both themselves and the drivers in the Grand Prix last year. A number of reflections can be drawn from Mr. Craner’s statement. It appears that a virtual monopoly of the rights have been granted to the news agencies, thereby forcing journals like MoToa SPORT to buy their illustrations instead
DEFEATING THE SLIPSTREAM
William Lambert, the s.v. Aston enthusiast, is making up some very well finished sets of side pieces for windscreens, which are adjustable, very rapidly detachable by withdrawal of a single long pin, immensely rigid, and which can be used as aero-screens when required, held by the same long pins. We understand that he has applied his screen attachments to T-Midgets and if litre stop indeed, but as the blue Maserati left it was seen to falter and crawl slowly towards the corner. “Oiled plugs,” we thought, as ” Bira ” pulled onto the grass verge right on the corner. “Lack of pressure,” said someone as ” Bira ” pumped. But before his mechanics could reach the car ” Bira ” had reversed on the engine into the dead-car bay, taken off his helmet and goggles and was
walking back to his pit. The transmission had failed, and the leader was out . . .
Maclure, bareheaded as usual, goggles on his forehead, was waved on and clapped by an expectant crowd, yet he drove as steadily as ever, permitting himself only slightly increased tail wags at the bends. On lap 56 Mays was about 9 secs. behind, at lap 55 he had been 15 secs. to the bad.
of being able to make use of their own staff. From this it follows that henceforth we shall be unable to publish exclusive photographs.
Finally, the agency photographs will have been seen elsewhere before a monthly journal like MOTOR SPORT is published, and they will, therefore, be “stale.” Except in the case of certain Continental races, on which it is not always possible to obtain photographs, MOTOR SPORT is adverse to publishing unillustrated race reports. It has therefore been decided to omit all reference to Donington Races in MOTOR SPORT in future, until such time as the authorities revoke their decision in regard to renewing this journal’s Track Pass.
It is not too much to say, of all motoring journals, MOTOR SPORT should have been at the head of any list of Track Pass holders, for during the past fourteen years It has given a more comprehensive survey of motoring sport than any other journal In this country, and its readers number some 16,000.
Its established position is fully recognised by the Press Committee at Brooklands and also the Crystal Palace authorities, from both of whom Track Passes are received without application.
It is not without careful consideration and deep regret that we have taken this step, as we would not only have preferred to maintain the good relations previously enjoyed with Donington, but also we fully realise that our readers will be deprived of those illustrated reports of Donington Races which have been a feature of MoToa SPORT since the Midland Road Circuit first opened its doors to the public.
M.G. cars, and that they have been highly praised by the M.G. Car Co. Ltd. Particulars are available from him at 343a, Pinchley Road, N.W.8.
A LUCAS SUCCESS
The Lucas Vertical Magneto, as was described in MOTOR SPORT last month, was used on the Austin Seven with which Charlie Dodson secured a highly popular win in the Empire Trophy Race at Donington.
So ended one of Brooklands’ most dramatic races. So they battled, blue imblown Riley and the works E.R.A., sounding still rather unwell. It was anyone’s race, and every man and woman in the grounds
followed these final laps. Maclure, driving the race of his life, still kept ahead. Mays braked at the last possible moment before the corners and spun his wheels on accelerating. Surely the blown car must catch the unblown on the banking or along the Railway Straight ? But no Maclure swung off the banking in the lead, Mays closing rapidly. It seemed that the E.R.A. must do it yet, but both men made no mistake at the very last corner and, accelerate as he could and did, Mays was 0.02 m.p.h. slower than Maclure, bare lengths behind as they hurtled over the line.