The Remaining Easter Events

Bristol M.C. & L.C.C. Lulsgate Race Meeting
The day’s sport at Lulsgate was just the thing that club members and their friends crave, and it is difficult to see why more such meetings cannot be held on similar disused airfields. The organisation was first class, even to public address and a beer tent, the racing most interesting, and they even had fencing to keep onlookers from the fastest bend. It was not the Bristol Club’s fault that the public was excluded. The two-mile course embraced four corners, two flat-out bends and was not particularly bumpy, while the surface was good, if the corners were difficult to pick out. The straights enabled the faster cars to reach rather over 90 m.p.h. The races were as follows:

Sports Cars up to 1,100 c.c., and Super Sports Cars up to 850 c.c. Five laps. Scratch
Barnes’ blown 747-c.c. M.G. and Pearson’s innocent-looking Morris Eight tourer accelerated away well, but after a lap Napper’s Morgan “4/4” led from Barnes and Roberts’ oddly-bonneted Morris-Special. Gissing’ s Austin Seven with Talbot Ten radiator cowl, two S.U.s, alloy head and a standard exhaust manifold, was already out of the picture, with clutch slip. For the next two laps the order was unchanged, but the Morgan began to sound distinctly sick although continuing at speed. However, Barnes’ M.G. was steadily closing on it, and Weber’s 847-c.c. M.G. was going well in fourth place. Humphrey’s blown 847-c.c. M.G. began to misfire and Godby’s Austin Seven caused consternation because it was trailing a front-axle radius arm and seemed to have a fractured king-pin. The Morgan’s noises got louder and the M.G. passed it, only to be repassed in a close finish, while Weber overtook the Morris-Special on lap 4.

1st: A. B. Napper (1,098-c.c. Morgan) … 10 min. 18.2 sec.
2nd: S. E. Barnes (747-c.c. M.G., s/c.) … 10 min. 19.0 sec.
3rd: J. Weber (847-c.c. M.G.) … 10 min. 23.4 sec.

Sports Cars, 1,101-1,500 c.c. and Super Sports Cars 851-1,100 c.c. Five laps. Scratch …
Mrs. Binns, driving screen-erect in her four-Amal-carburetter 1 1/2-litre Riley, and Best in his abbreviated, blown “PB” trials M.G., got off well and Best led for half a lap before Buncombe’s H.R.G. and Ruddock’s G.P.-tailed, deflector-head Meadows-H.R.G. passed him. After a lap Best was in second place behind Buncombe and ahead of Ruddock and Martin’s Frazer-Nash. On the second lap Best fell to third place and shortly afterwards Martin passed him. After three laps Ruddock took the lead but his H.R.G., had trouble, and stopped on Glider straight. Luckman’s Frazer-Nash had been touring round and Mead’ s Frazer-Nash and Cox’ s M.G.-Ford were well back. Martin, however, was driving with real spirit and took first place after four laps, and on the last lap Woods in Lester’s M.G. displaced Best.

1st: J. G. Martin (1,500-c.c. Frazer-Nash) 9 min. 36.4 sec.
2nd: J. Buncombe (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.) … 9 min. 41.8 sec.
3rd: L. S. Woods (1,086-c.c. M.G.) … 9 min. 57.4 sec.

Sports Cars, 1,501-2,000 c.c. and Super Sports Cars, 1,101-1,500 c.c. Five laps. Scratch
This race was rather a procession. Matlock in his Marshall-blown Ford Ten-engined Austin Seven, with very small front, and very large rear, wheels and Gordon Woods’ left-hand-drive “328” B.M.W. got away smartly and Woods, driving really fast, led lap one from Mallock and Gee’s blue 1 1/2-litre Riley “Ulster Sprite.” Gee then went ahead, sliding a bit on Control Tower corner, and he and Woods built up a big lead, about six lengths separating them after four laps. Mallock drove like one possessed with a burning enthusiasm, rather carving-up others at times, until he went into a corner too fast and spun round. Binns’ vintage O.M., its mud-flaps flapping, was outclassed.

1st: G. N. Gee (1,496-c.c. Riley)… … 9 min. 6.4 sec.
2nd: G. C. Woods (1,971-c.c. B.M.W.) … 9 min. 7.6 sec.
3rd: C. D. F. Buckler (1,172-c.c. Buckler) 9 min. 41.2 sec.

Sports Cars over 2,000 c.c. and Super Sports Cars over 1,500 c.c. Heat I. Five laps. Scratch
This was Onslow-Bartlett’s race and no mistake! His Mercury-Special, using Offenhauser s.v. cylinder heads and dual-induction system, jumped into the lead at the flag’s fall and was never challenged. Try as they did, Cripps in his four-S.U., Chrysler-engined Cripps-Special and Leston in white helmet and a 2 1/2-litre Jaguar with rather soft rear springs, never closed on Bartlett. Roberts continued cheerfully in his Railton, with the near side of the bonnet adrift and a horrid rubbing noise, until given the black flag. The American-engined jobs predominated, for Cuff’s V8-engined Cuff-Special “Hells Hammers IV” was fourth. Jane’s Lancia finished last.
1st: L. Onslow-Bartlett (3,917-c.c. Mercury-Special) 8 min. 47.2 sec.
2nd: J. Cripps (5,300-c.c. Cripps-Special) 8 min. 57.0 sec.
3rd: L. Leston (2,664-c.c. Jaguar) … 9 min. 8.8 sec.

Sports Cars over 2,000 c.c. and Super Sports Cars over 1,500 c.c. Heat 2. Five laps. Scratch
For acceleration from the starting line James’ imposing 4.9-litre Bugatti and Fry’s “2.3” Type 55 Bugatti, both supercharged, had the legs of everyone, and the latter built up a handsome lead, to the surprise of those who thought that James would win. The bigger Bugatti, however, was soon boiling. The pace was so rapid that after four laps the first four cars had lapped Seal’s slow Lancia “Lambda.” The race was otherwise uneventful, save that Kemp-Place’s 4 1/2-litre Bentley caught Matthews’ 3 1/2-litre Jaguar after the initial lap, and that James was warned by the R.A.C. steward for snaking.

1st: J. G. Fry (2,270-c.c. Bugatti, s/c.) … 8 min. 53.4 sec.
2nd: J. M. James (4,840-c.c. Bugatti, s/c.) 9 min. 1.0 sec.
3rd: H. Kemp-Place (4,398-c.c. Bentley) 9 min. 9.4 sec.

Sports Cars over 2,000 c.c. and Super Sports Cars over 1,500 c.c. Final
This was decided on the times established in the heats. Timing, incidentally, was by manually-operated dual stop-watches.

1st: L. Onslow-Bartlett (3,917-c.c. Mercury-Special) 8 min. 47.2 sec.
2nd: J. G. Fry (2,270-c.c. Bugatti, s/c.) … 8 min. 53.4 sec.
3rd: J. M. James (4,840-c.c. Bugatti, s/c.) 9 min. 1.0 sec.

500-c.c. Racing Cars. Ten laps. Scratch
Four non-starters reduced this race to five starters – Westcott’s Cooper-J.A.P., Gibbs’ M.A.C., Millington’s Milliunion, Russell’s Rudge-Special and Cuff’s Buzzie. Moreover, Millington had been in trouble during practice and had had to remove the cylinder head before the race.

Westcott, driving, we believe, in his first event, once again demonstrated Cooper superiority and led unchallenged throughout. Behind, Gibbs and Millington engaged in a truly stirring duel. First one, then the other led, Millington’ s passing usually taking place on the corners, Gibbs’ on the straights! The former led on laps 2 and 3, Gibbs on laps 4 and 5, with Millington ahead of his rival on laps 6 and 7. Alas, the old trouble returned and with gestures of despair Millington fell back on lap 7. His car picked up again, but too late to catch Gibbs. Cuff retired on lap 2 with a very hot engine, and Russell only lasted Tor two laps.

1st: I. F. Westcott (496-c.c. Cooper) … 19 min. 13.6 sec.
2nd: J. N. Gibbs (497-c.c. M.A.C. 500) … 19 min. 38.8 sec.
3rd: G. H. C. Millington (499-c.c. Milliunion) … 20 min. 30.0 sec.

Bugatti Sports Cars. Five laps. Handicap
Bosisto’s Type 49 3.3-litre tourer led away, after which Birkett’s Type 44 open four-seater, James’ “4.9” and Joe Fry’s Type 55 were released, in that order. After two laps Bosisto led, smoke pouring from his engine on the corners, with Birkett challenging strongly. Then Birkett had both his S.U. petrol pumps cease and had to retire. That put James second, Fry third and Bosisto held his lead to the end. The finish, however, was inspiring, for James was right on his rival’s tail and, indeed, could have passed on the inside coming out of the last bend, but he eased up and lost by a mere second. His car again boiled.

1st: J. F. J.Bosisto (3.300-c.c. Bugatti) 9 min. 52.4 sec.
2nd: J. M. James (4,840-c.c. Bugatti, s/c.) 9 min. 53.1 sec.

Bentley Sports Cars. Five laps. Handicap
This was a stirring race because, although the handicap, which had been prepared by the B.D.C. and halved by the Bristol Club(!), favoured the early starters, it was grand to see the back-markers thundering round in pursuit. Norris’ four-seater 3-litre led the entire race comfortably from the “limit” position, having almost a lap’s start when Hay’s aerodynamic 4 1/4-litre saloon was let off as “scratch” car. However, after three laps Kemp-Place’s 4 1/2-litre had caught and overtaken Scott-Russell’s 4 1/2-litre long-tailed two-seater, while the pace was beginning to tell on Farthing’s “blower 4 1/2,” which emitted loud reports. Between them Marechal drove a mighty race in his “Speed Six,” very nearly getting third place. Hay’s car was steady and silent but hadn’t enough speed.

1st: J. Norris (2,996-c.c. Bentley) … 10 min. 21.2 sec.
2nd H. Kemp-Place (4,398-c.c. Bentley) 10 min. 34.2 sec.
3rd: P. Scott-Russell (4,500:c.c. Bentley) 10 min. 58.8 sec.

Bristol Members’ Race. Heat I. Five laps. Scratch
Buckler led this race throughout and seldom has anyone won a race so easily. His Ford Ten-engined Buckler looked extremely safe and comfortable and. appeared to handle effortlessly. Its roadholding, incidentally, has been further improved by the addition of Armstrong hydraulic shock-absorbers to the divided front axle, and 5.00-17 rear tyres were in use. A lap from home Buckler had lapped Owens’ “Ulster” Austin Seven, in spite of the latter’s downdraught carburetter and straight-through exhaust system. Roberts’ Morris-Special held second place throughout but scarcely saw the Buckler, while Skinner’s Morgan “4/4” caught Moffat’s blown 850-c.c. M.G., which in turn had passed R. S. Roberts’ Austin Seven. Cox’s blown M.G.Ford fell back from fourth to seventh place and Slade’s Singer “Le Mans” and Urquhart’s 850-c.c. M.G. were at the end of the well-bunched procession which, the leaders apart, was a feature of this heat. Pearson’s ordinary-looking Morris Eight tourer finished a creditable fifth.

1st: C. D. F. Buckler (1,172-c.c. Buckler) 9 min. 47.2 sec.
2nd: H. E. Roberts (747-c.c. Austin) … 10 min. 45.4 sec.
3rd: G. J. Skinner (1,172-c.c. Morgan) … 11 min. 10.2sec.

Bristol Members’ Race. Heat 2. Five laps. Scratch
In a terrific massed start Onslow-Bartlett’s Mercury emerged and, as everyone expected, was never challenged. Gordon Woods did his best in his “328” B.M.W., cornering in spirited fashion but not closing on the Mercury, which was comfortably ahead. Indeed, a red light on the dash sugtested that before the end the B.M.W. was more than warm! Birkett easily disposed of L. D. Roberts’ two-seater Railton in the first half-lap and at four laps lay third, about as far behind Woods as Woods was behind Onslow-Bartlett. Then the petrol pumps offended again and the Bugatti toured in, letting the Railton into third place. Ruddock’s H.R.G. picked up several places and on the final lap Mead’s Frazer-Nash moved up ahead of French, who was the tail-ender in the blown Ford-Austin.

1st: L. Onslow-Bartlett (3,917-c.c. Mercury-Special) 8 min. 42.2 sec.
2nd: G. C. Woods (1,971-c.c. B.M.W.) … 9 min. 1.8 sec.
3rd: L. D. Roberts (4,168-c.c. Railton) … 9 min. 35.0 sec.

Bristol Members’ Race. Final
This was decided on heat times and Bartlett deservedly won, exactly equalling his time for his earlier race.

1st: L. Onslow-Bartlett (3,917-c.c. Mercury-Special) … 8 min. 42.2 sec.
2nd: G. C. Woods (1,917-c.c. B.M.W.) … 9 min. 1.8 sec.
3rd: L. D. Roberts (4,168-c.c. Raton) … 9 min. 35.0 sec.

So ended a meeting that we sincerely hope will be repeated. The course patrol car, incidentally, was a very fine Pinin-Farina-bodied Bristol.

Veteran Car Club’s Southern Rally and Trial
An excellent entry of 74 cars was received, 38 veterans covering the period of 1897 to 1904 and 36 Edwardians 1905 to 1914. Of these only four veterans and two Edwardians failed to arrive, although several cars were excluded from the trial because of late arrival at the rally. The rally results were as follows:

Prize for Oldest Car to Arrive: L. Evans (1,807-c.c. Benz dog-cart).
Veteran. – 1st: W. L. Pumphry (1903 Sunbeam), 112 miles from Erdington. Birmingham. 2nd: R.. Lawson (1904 Tony Huber), 92 miles from Bristol. 3rd: P. B. Crittall (1904 Humber), 60 miles from Crowborough.
Edwardians. – 1st: D. FitzPatrick (1906 Wolseley-Siddeley), 159 miles from Bradfield, Norfolk. 2nd: D. Barton (1912 Napier), 186 miles from Plymouth. 3rd: G. V. B. Cooke (1913 Austin), 180 miles from Grimsby.

The reliability trial results have not come to hand.

The M.C.C. 29th Land’s End Trial
This year’s Land’s End Trial started from Lynton and encompassed two observed ascents of Beggar’s Roost, and climbs of Barton Steep, Southernwood, Hookway, Doveshay, Stoney Street, Ashwell, Yealscombe, Lyn and Station Lane. Entries of 85 cars and two three-wheelers were included in the total of 159 competitors. This year a special vintage-award for the best performance by a 1915-1930 car was introduced, those qualifying to compete for it comprising a 1928 Bayliss-Thomas, a 1924 Frazer-Nash, a 1929 Riley Nine, a 1928 Meadows Frazer-Nash, a 1928 “14/40” M.G., a 1930 s/c “Ulster” Austin Seven and a Horstman. The awards winners were:

First-Class Awards. — S. Black (1,250-c.c. M.G.). A. E. A. Day (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), S. M. Frost (1,172-c.c. Austin Special), H. F. Brayshaw (1,185-c.c. Brayshaw Special). J. E. N. Bullivent (1,098-c.c. Riley), A. O. Gosnell (1,498-c.c. H.R.G.), F. Morrish (1,498-c.c. Frazer-Nash), J. W. Fowler (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), J. V. S. Brown (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), B. H. Brown (Ford V8 Special), C. F. Crossby (1,203-c.c. Vauxhall Special) A. W. Morrish (939-c.c. M.G.), R. A. Hellyer (1,493-c.c. Singer), A. M. Beardshaw (1,172-c.c. A.M.B. Special), B. Fitzwater (847-c.c. M.G.), J. Whitefield (1,172-c.c. Ford), E. G. Smith (1,203-c.c. A.R.M. Special), H. Clayton (1,172-c.c. Clayton Special), E. G. Spence (1,172-c.c. F.M.W. Special), J. M. Richmond (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), J. A. H. Gott (1,496-c.c. H.R.G. Aero), H. B. Woodall (1,172-c.c. Wolseley-Ford), E. D. Scobey (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), W. P. Uglow (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), K. C. Jarvis 747-c.c. “Ulster” Austin), W. F. Mead (3,917-c.c. Allard), P. 11. G. Morgan (1,122-c.c. Morgan), W. A. G. Goodall (1,267-c.c. Morgan), C. J. McCann (1,267-c.c. Morgan), R,. Hellier (1,267-c.c. Morgan), K. E. O. Burgess (3,917-c.c. Allard), J. H. Appleton (3,622-c.c. Allard), H. C. Roberts (3,917-c.c. Allard), D. C. Bishop (847-c.c. M.G.), A. L. S. Denyer (1,496-c.c. Lea-Francis), Dr. J. Spiridion (1,496-c.c. Riley).
Second-Class Awards. — E. B. Kay (1,496-c.c. Riley Sprite), R. J. P. Morley (1,991-c.c. A.C.), H. W. Burman (1,760-c.c. Lea-Francis), S. C. Clarke (1,047-c.c. H.R.G.), J. H. H. Barrow (1,781-c.c. M.K.P. 3), J. H. Radlxmune (1,496-c.c. H.R.G.), F. C. Hill (746-c.c. M.G.), L. A. Moore (3,622-c.c. Ford V8), R. W. Faulkner (3,917-c.c. Mercury), E. H. Goodenough (1,496-c.c. Horstman).
Third-Class Awards. — R. W. Christmas (939-c.c. M.G.), H. P. Guerrier (1,292-c.c. M.G.), C. M. Davis (1,708-c.c. M.G.), F. Allott (1,250-c.c. M.G.), H. H. Alderton (1,287-c.c. M.G.), H. J. Finden (1,103-c.c. Lagonda Rapier), B. Grindrod (1,496-c.c. Riley Sprite), V. S. A. Biggs (1,800-c.c. Triumph), L. R. Gear (1,250-c.c. M.G.), J. H. Pool (3,283-c.c. Ford Special), G. M. Symons (1,098-c.c. Morgan), C. J. Mores (2,322-c.c. M.G.). E. P. Husham (1,098-c.c. Morgan), K. G. Cramp (1,800-c.c. Triumph).
Team Awards. — Best Mixed Team: E. G. Smith (A.R.M. Special), H. Clayton (1,172-c.c. Clayton Special), E. G. Spence (1,172-c.c. F.M.W. Special).
Best One-make Team: P. H. G. Morgan, W. A. G. Goodall, C. J. McCann (Morgans).
Special Vintage Award (best performance by a Vintage Car): F. Morrish (1,498-c.c. Frazer-Nash (1928) ).

A New Allard Director
Mr. R. J. Canham has been appointed a director of the Allard Motor Company Ltd. He will continue as general manager.