Aston Martin Snetterton Racing (April 24th)

This meeting opened the 1954 season at Snetterton, the 2.71-mile circuit out in the wilds of Norfolk, not far from the one-time home of Burrell road locomotives.

Tony Crook was in fine form and in the first two 5-lap sports-car scratch races led Salvadori (Maserati) in his very fast Cooper-Bristol. which must possess some very “high-pressure steam.” Cliff Davis’ Tojeiro-Bristol finished third in both these races. The seeond included at class for over-3,000-c.c. sports cars, won by Don Truman’s XK120C Jaguar from B. Baxter’s XK120C, third place going to E. Protheroe’s XK120. Another XK120 driven by J. C. Sears was also able to hold off the DB3 Aston Martin of J. E. G. Stevens. while in the up-to-3,000-c.c. class John Vessey courageously drove his vintage Lancia Lambda, which, outclassed, was nevertheless placed fourth.

A 5-lap handicap for 1 1/2-litre Aston Martin sports cars proved a walk-over for one of the ‘ limit” men, C. H. Sutcliffe in smart Le Mans model. A. B. Stewart, holding high revs, in third gear in his Ulster, came through the field well to finish second, ahead of W. H. Fowler’s Le Mans. Hirst. and Burton indulged in gyrations. A similar race for over-1 1/2-litre A.M.s, but over 10 laps, saw Everard (DB2) win from Defty (DB2/4) and the DB3. Only three E.R.A.s turned out for their special event, won by J. D. Lewis’ B-type, at 79.4 m.p.h.

The 500-c.c. cars were on their best behaviours, Leston winning by 0.4 sec. from Russell, with Don Parker third.

A 10-lap sports-car handicap saw Sears very skilfully correct a nasty slide in the Lister at the “Esses,” after Protheroe had skidded in front of him. Alas, he ran up the bank and shipped at lot of sand. M. C. Connell handled his XK120 very smoothly, winning at 72.02 m.p.h. from Salvadori’s Maserati and Farrow’s XK120. Davis’ Tojeiro broke a timing chain. Flockhart’s new-type BRM., using different magnetos from those which misfired at Goodwood, had the only racing-car event all to himself, averaging 89.01, lapping at 91.01 m.p.h. He was pursued by Gould, who flung his Cooper-Bristol about. Marr (Connaught) took third place from Crook’s sports Cooper-Bristol. Lewis spun his E.R..A. and retired with a leaking fuel tank, as at Castle Combe. — W. B.