Around and about, November 1989

Motor Sport held its first Concours at the HSCC meeting at Silverstone in September. Among a quality field of cars to arrive were Michael Fisher’s 2.8 lightweight Porsche Carrera, Nick Cartwright’s Dino 246, the Coys of Kensington Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster and Beaulieu’s Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Sport. The standard of turn-out was extremely high, but after lengthy deliberation by the judges, it was John Dale’s Triumph GT6 which carried off the award with David Cottingham’s 166 Mille Miglia Ferrari in second place. Presentation of the trophy was made by Frank Costin, Motor Sport’s guest of honour for the day.

That Mann Again!

Stanley Mann and his 3/8.3-litre Bentley have been commendably active at Millbrook again. On a recent run there Mann broke British Class-A records for 5 kilo., 5 miles and 10 kilo., at speeds of 135.60, 135.36. and 135.11 mph respectively, subject to the usual official confirmation. These speeds better by around six mph the former records by John Cobb and the 101/2-litre Delage made at Brooklands in 1930. We offer our warm congratulations. For the record, in 1929 Kaye Don with one of the 4-litre V12 Sunbeams had done 130.1 mph for 10 kilo. at Brooklands and a month later Sir Malcolm Campbell was timed at Vernuck Pan in S. Africa at 216.0 mph over 5 kilo. and at 211.04 mph over 5 miles, in the 24-litre Napier-Arrol-Aster. Although the latter course was then in British territory, these runs were not claimed as Class records. WB

A Bentley Occasion

To commemorate the part which the late Fred Burgess played in helping with the design of the first 3-litre Bentley, the BDC arranged for his daughter, Miss Marjorie Burgess, whom Motor Sport intereviewed last month, to be driven to its Silverstone race meeting in a modern Bentley provided by Rolls-Royce Motors and driven round the track in a 1924 3-litre Bentley. Afterwards BDC President Ray Wiltshire presented Miss Burgess with a picture of the 1914 TT Humber which her father designed before cooperating with WO on the chassis layout, pistons, etc. for the 3-litre Bentley. WB