The Brighton Speed Trials

The 1947 Brighton Speed Trials attracted a record entry of 225 cars and the meeting was run off reasonably slickly in perfect weather conditions. For the second year the kilometre course was used, competitors running in pairs along the famous Madeira Drive. The thanks of all enthusiasts are due to the Brighton and Hove M.C. and to the Mayor and Corporation of Brighton for one of the most enjoyable speed events of the year, and one that was very instructive when times were analysed.

Raymond Mays, just back from Craigantlet, was using a slightly higher axle ratio than in 1946 in his immaculate 2-litre E.R.A. and, finding something of a breeze blowing up the course, did not expect to beat his 1946 speed of 91.3 m.p.h. On his first run, in the up-to-3-litre class, his get-away was perfect and the car roared up the course, going over the line at some 140 m.p.h., an average of 92.17 m.p.h. This compares with his International Class E s.s. kilometre (two-way) record of 89.70 m.p.h. He made a bad get-away on his second run, but, even so, averaged 91.23 m.p.h. Mays then submitted to a match race against Bob Berry’s Brough-Superior, which had established the fastest motorcycle run at 86.17 m.p.h. The E.R.A. left the solo machine well behind, clocking exactly the same speed as on its first run, 92.17 m.p.h., against Berry’s 82.24 m.p.h. Noel Pope’s blown Brough-Superior had been off-colour, clocking only 83.87 m.p.h.

“Bira,” after initial bothers with the Maserati, made second fastest time, at 87.79 m.p.h., after a first run at 86.23 m.p.h. Next in order of merit was Gerard’s E.R.A., sounding beautiful, With 85.90 and 86.30 mph. Poore’s 3.8-litre Alfa-Romeo was 4th fastest, at 85.97 m.p.h., and Hutchison’s Alfa-Romeo next in order, at 85.12 m.p.h.

The fastest unblown sports car was Walker’s Delahaye, at 68.03 m.p.h. The fastest blown sports car was Oliver’s “2.3” Bugatti, at 70.83 m.p.h., and the fastest Edwardian was the 1910 Fiat, Which did 63.69 m.p.h. Fastage vintage Sports car was Crane’s “2.3” Bugatti, at 67.01 m.p.h. Mrs. Gerard was fastest of the ladies, averaging a magnificent 83.00 m.p.h. in her husband’s 2-litre E.R.A. Fastest sidecar outfit was Smith’s J.A.P. at 69.23 m.p.h. Equivalent times last year were: Fastest unblown Sports car (May’s Vauxhall), 65.79 m.p.h.; fastest blown sports car (Featherstonhaugh’s Alfa-Romeo), 70.34 m.p.h.; fastest Edwardian (the 1910 Fiat), 60.46 m.p.h.; fastest vintage sports car (May’s Vauxhall), 65,79 m.p.h.; fastest lady (Mrs. Monkhouse’s Bugatti), 76.61 m.p.h. So, taken all round, speeds were faster this year. As last year, not a single accident occurred. Although the event happened on a Monday, a very large crowd attended, and we should not be surprised to learn that the “gate” was in the region of £3,000. As Motor Sport did not receive any passes we missed much of the early part of the meeting arguing our right to attend. When we did get in we found the police less officious than last year, and this time the starting area was kept decently clear. The Paddock held much of interest to the technically-minded, and we have incorporated such gleanings in the class reports. Earl Howe, arriving in his Bugatti, was acting as a fine ambassador for the Sport, keeping an eye on proceedings and chatting impartially to car drivers and motorcycle riders-he even rode down the course in the breakdown tender on one occasion. The timing apparatus proved a thought temperamental at times during the afternoon. but all was over before 7 p.m. The public address system could have been improved with advantage. The following is an account of the car runs as we saw them, class by class, together with full results. The programme and official results give no clue as to drivers, naming entrants only, but this we have endeavoured to correct:

Standard Sports Cars up to 1,300 c.c.
Lester’s L/K-type M.G.Mlagnette was quickest, beating Phillips’ F-type M.G. and Donald Pitt’s PB M.G. Lowrey finished on the pilot-jet when his G.R.G.’s throttle linkage came adrift, but was cheerfully announced as dead-heating with Thursby-Pelham’s M.G., although about a minute behind him! Cooper’s Sports Cooper “500,” smallest runner, was not the slowest.

1st: H. Lester (M.G.), 56.19 m.ph.
2nd: G. Phillips (M.G.), 55.94 m.p.h.
3rd: D. Pitt (M.G.), 53.94 m.p.h.

Also ran: Kehso (Riley), 52.30 m.p.h.; Thursby-Pelham (M.G.), 51.33 m.p.h.; Christie (M.G.), 51.31 m.p.h.; Coles (M.G.), 51.31 m.p.h.; Finch (M.G.), 50.38 m.p.h.; Gale (M.G.), 49.49 m.p.h.; Smith (M.G.), 49.06; Havant (M.G.), 48.61 m.p.h.; Render (Morgan), 47.67 m.p.h.; Bowles (Austin), 47.59 m.p.h.; Sykes (Wolseley), 47.10 m.p.h.; Hobbs (Riley), 46.99 m.p.h.; Smith (M.G.), 40.60 m.p.h.; Cooper (Cooper 500), 45.00 mph.; Richards (H.R.G.), 43.86 m.p.h.; and Couper (M.G.), 43.69 m.p.h. Lowrey untimed.

Standard Sports Cars up to 1,500 c.c.
Newton’s H.R.G. won its laurels here, beating Uglow’s sister car by a small margin and Mrs. Gerard’s Riley “Sprite.” A Frazer-Nash trio gave a strong challenge:

1st: B. Newton (H.R.G.), 60.92 m.p.h.
2nd: W. Uglow (H.R.G.), 60.13 m.p.h.
3rd: F. Gerard (Riley), 59.68 m.p.h.

Also ran: Morrish (Frazer-Nash), 58.42 m.p.h.; Claridge (Frazer-Nash), 57.36 m.p.h.; Woods (Frazer-Nash), 57.06 m.p.h.; Lester (M.G.), 56.57 m.p.h.; Phillips (M.G.), 56.49 m.p.h.; Dunham (Alvis), 56.11 m.p.h.; Pitt (M.G.), 55.64 m.p.h.; Gehlcken (Riley), 54.29 m.p.h.; Tilling (Singer), 52.58 m.p.h.; Couper (M.G.), 52.26 m.p.h.; Foster (M.G.), 51.94 m.p.h.; Christie (M.G.), 51.54 m.p.h.; Goodall (Riley), 50.16. m.p.h.; Hobbs (Riley), 49.95 m.p.h.; Finch (M.G.), 49.10 m.p.h.; Bowles (Austin), 47.39 m.p.h.; Smith (Aston-Martin), 46,22 m.p.h.: Richards (H.R.G.), 45.47 m.p.h.; and Lucas (Monaco M.G.), 39.85 m.p.h.

Standard Sports Cars up to 2,000 c.c.
Raymond Way’s lightened B.M.W. beat Crook’s 328 B.M.W. and Uglow’s H.R.G. Oscar Moore’s B.M.W. easily beat Ansell’s 2-litre Aston-Martin and Carrington’s B.M.W. couldn’t hold a candle to Newton’s H.R.G. Dunham’s Alvis had its lamps back to front and Goodall’s Riley carried an aluminium body. Uglow got his revenge on Newton!

1st: R. Way (B.M.W.), 66.26 m.p.h.
2nd: T. Crook (B.M.W.), 65.20 m.p.h.
3rd: Uglow (H.R.G.), 61.78 m.p.h.

Also ran: Newton (H.R.G.), 61.45 m.p.h.: Stallebrass (Aston-Martin), 60.79 m.p.h.; Moore (B.M.W.), 59.81 m.p.h.; Moss (B.M.W.), 59.26 m.p.h.; Carrington (B.M.W.), 58.25 m.p.h.; Claridge (B.M.W.), 57.53 m.p.h.; Ansell (Aston-Martin), 56.77 m.p.h.; Dunham (Alvis), 56.55 m.p.h.; Sarginson (M.G.), 55.37 m.p.h.; Woods (Frazer-Nash), 54.83 m.p.h.; Goodall (Riley), 51.78 m.p.h.; Lucas (Monaco M.G.), 50.38 m.p.h.; Smith (Aston-Martin), 49.49 m.p.h.; Miss Patten (Peugeot), 48.42; and Scott (M.(.), 47.80 m.p.h.

Standard Sports Cars over 2,000 c.c.
An immense entry was secured, out of which Walker’s famous Delahaye emerged triumphant, as fastest unblown sports car, although Sydney Allard’s smart ex-“Alpine” Allard, wearing spats over its rear wheels, beat the French car on initial get away. Parker’s Jaguar and Wagner’s S.S. were well matched away from the line, but the latter afterwards gained the lead. A V. Paananen’s Mercury-engined Sport, with odd steering drag link, 1/2-elliptic front springs with torque members, transverse rear suspension, very noisy twin-trumpet exhausts and a capacity for revs., came all the way from Finland to easily beat Scott’s M.G. Boothby’s 17 1/2 cwt. J.B.M. was no match for Kingston-Whittaker’s “Light Sports” Railton. Lycett had his starter motor jam and was a non-runner with his Bentley. Cole’s Jaguar, which has cost its owner some £1,500, went well, but Kemp-Place’s Bentley misfired. Brierley made excellent upward changes, but his old 3-litre (4 1/2 engined) Bentley couldn’t hold McAlpine’s Allard. Jarvis (Bentley 4 1/2) made a very fine start. Bolster certainly got Bell’s 8-litre Bentley along.

1st: R. Walker (Delahaye), 68.03 m.p.h.
2nd: T. Cole (Jaguar), 66.63 m.p.h.
3rd: T. Crook (11.M.W.), 65.97 m.p.h.

Also ran: J. Bolster (Bentley), 64.33 m.p.h.; T. Allard (Allard), 64.26 m.p.h.; Wagner (S.S.), 64.22 m.p.h.; Parker (Jaguar), 64.10 m.p.h.; A. May (Vauxhall), 63.91 m.p.h.; Mann (Jaguar) 62.66 m.p.h.; Matthews (Jaguar), 62.49 m.p.h.; Pyecroft (Jaguar), 62.48 m.p.h.; Paananen (Sport), 62.45 m.p.h.; S. Allard (Allard), 62.14 m.p,h.; McAlpine (Allard), 62.12 m.p.h.; Goodhew (Lagonda) 61.96 m.p.h.; Price (Price), 61.79 m.p.h.; Whittaker (Railton), 61.40 m.p.h. ; Marechal (Bentley), 61.30 m.p.h.; Butterworth (Bentley), 61.12 m.p.h.; Stallebrass (Aston-Mnrtin), 60.70 m.p.h.; Chambers (Lagonda), 60.49 m.p.h.; Boothby (J.B.M.), 60.46 m.p.h.; Moore (B.M.W:), 60.44 m.p.h.; S. Moss (.B.M.W.) and Carrington (B.M.W.), 60.13 m.p.h.; Dawson (Lagonda), 59.73 m.p.h.; Parker (Parker-Martin) and Parker (Jaguar), 59.49 m.p.h.; Wick (Allard) and Mertens (Bentley), 58.87 m.p.h.; Gale (Jaguar), 58.62 m.p.h.; Tipper (Healey), 58.56 m.p.h.; Ansell (Aston-Martin), 58.25 m.p.h.; Parker (Jaguarette) and Brierley (Bentley), 57.06 m.p.h.; Sarginson (M.G.), 56.49 m.p.h.; Jarvis (Bentley), 56.35 m.p.h.; Scott-Russell (Bentley), 54.19 m.p.h.; Kemp-Place (Bentley), 53.26 m.p.h.; and Scott (M.G.), 49.06 m.p.h.

Standard Sports Cars Unlimited, Lady Drivers
Betty Haig got the Raymond Way B.M.W. going well to beat Mrs. Allard on a production-model Allard by over 1.2 m.p.h. Actually, Joan Gerard’s Riley led Betty Haig away, as the B.M.W.’s clutch seemed to slip. The Allard seemed to run rich, and was boiling when it returned.

1st: Miss Haig (B.M.W.), 61.08 m.p.h.
2nd: Mrs. Allard (Allard), 59.87 m.p.h.
3rd: Mrs. Gerard (Riley), 59.81 m.p.h.

Also ran: Mrs. Sarginson (M.G.) and Miss Durham (Alvis), 55.11 m.p.h.; Miss Patten (Peugeot), 47.89 m.p.h.

Supercharged Standard Sports Cars up to 1,200 c.c.
Kennington won in an M.G. he had not driven previously, his “race-partner,” Thomson ‘s Morgan “4/4”, giving trouble.

Geoffrey Taylor’s original 1,100 c.c. Alta was driven by a new driver in this class. Mann’s M.G. gave trouble. Christmas had a 4-branch exhaust system on his M.G.

1st: F. Kennington (M.G.), 58.74 m.p.h.
2nd: ————- (Alta), 57.18 m.p.h.
3rd: J. Harman (M.G.), 53.88 m.p.h.

Also ran: Morrish (M.G.), 53.30 m.p.h.; Robbins (Austin), 50.61 m.p.h.; Thompson (Morgan), 46.60 m.p.h.; Christmas (M.G.), 46.41 m.p.h.; and Mann (M.G.), 28.41 m.p.h.

Supercharged Standard Sports Cars up to 1,500 c.c.
Collins’ externally-ordinary N-type M.G.-Magnette 4-seater, ex-Monte Carlo Rally, went remarkably well to win at 60.25 m.p.h. Ching’s 1 1/2-litre Alfa-Romeo coughed and spoilt its getaway and another new driver of the original Alta nearly forgot to switch on before the start. The class was full of M.G.’s. Had Robbins’ (Ulster-Austin) gone as fast in his previous class he would have been 2nd therein.

1st: R. Collins (M.G.), 60.25 m.p.h.
2nd: ————– (Alta), 59.72 m.p.h.
3rd: M. Measures (M.G.), 57.06 m.p.h.

Also ran: Kennington (M.G.), 56.92 m.p.h.; Richardson (M.G.), 56.49 m.p.h.; Jacobs (M.G.), 55.92 m.p.h.; Ching (Alfa-Romeo), 55.14 m.p.h.; and Robbins (Austin), 55.02 m.p

Supercharged Standard Sports Cars Unlimited
Some interesting duels were seen in this class, notably that in which Templer’s Alfa-Romeo so easily vanquished Shortt’s sister-car and when Rohll pitted his “38/250” Mercédès-Benz against Crozier’s, the latter by far the faster, although its blower was so silent as to seem inoperative. Smeed’s 4 1/2-litre Bentley made an extremely fine start, but was caught by Lewis’ “2.3” “Monza” Alfa-Romeo. Fry’s Type 55 Bugatti fluffed and Grane’s Bugatti leapt up in the air as the clutch went in, misfiring thereafter. The Heath Alta made short work of Appleton’s Allard, although tyre howl at the start showed the latter to be trying hard. Oliver deserved his success.

1st: R. Oliver (Bugatti), 70.83 m.p.h.
2nd: S. Gilbey (Alfa-Romeo), 70.01 m.p.h.
3rd. ————– (Alta), 69.47 m.p.h.

Also ran: Lewis (Alfa-Romeo), 68.05 m.p.h.; Landon (Alfa-Romeo), 67.11 m.p.h.; Smeed (Bentley), 66.18 m.p.h.; Templar (Alfa-Romeo), 66.12 m.p.h.; Crozier (Mercédès-Benz), 63.91 m.p.h.; Appleton (Allard), 60.13 m.p.h.; Fry (Bugatti), 59.87 m.p.h.; Markes (Bentley), 58.87 m.p.h.; Shortt (Alfa-Romeo), 57.95 m.p.h.; Measures (M.G.), 57.27 m.p.h.; Grane (Bugatti), 57.06 m.p.h.; Montague (Alfa-Romeo) and Jacobs (M.G.), 56.20 m.p.h.; Collins (M.G.), 51.54 m.p.h.; and Rohll (Mercédès-Benz), 42.37 m.p.h.

Racing Cars Unlimited, Lady Drivers
We should have thought that the quickest way to a domestic upheaval lay in lending your wife your racing car, but there it is. Certainly Mrs. Gerard made no mistakes, driving the 2-litre E.R.A. beautifully to average 83.00 m.p.h. Mrs. Fry all but set the Type 55 Bugatti’s tyres alight, while her husband scratched his head, probably thinking of re-treads. Joy Ching’s unblown Type 37 Bugatti sent out clouds of smoke before its engine would run. Mrs. Allard declined to drive the special sports Allard.

1st: Mrs. Gerard (E.R.A.), 83.00 m.p.h.
2nd: Mrs. Fry (Bugatti), 61.22 m.p.h.
3rd: Mrs. Ching (Bugatti), 49.27 m.p.h.

Racing Cars up to 500 c.c.
Some interesting new 500 c.c. cars ran, notably the Marwyn “500” with neat 1/2-elliptic front suspension, drilled front axle, dual 1/4-elliptics at the back, a rear-placed Triumph “Speed Twin” engine and very sleek bodywork. Also new was the Monaco, very short, with Fiat frontend, coil spring i.r.s. with a separate chain drive to each wheel, and a ” Squarehead ” Manx-Norton engine behind the driver.

Eric Brandon swung the Cooper “500” up the return road with a hole in its piston. However, Cooper in the other Cooper “500” made a wonderful run, at 68.68 m.p.h., compared with his speed of 62.48 m.p.h. last year, when the little car was still a novelty. He had done a s.s. 1/4 mile in 16 sec. during private testing and now crossed the line at 7,000 r.p.m. The G.S.I., driven by Spink, with 4-valve, bronze head rubber-mounted Rudge engine, Norton gearbox and Alta-type coil-spring suspension, gave trouble, while the Marwyn bounced as it went over the line.

1st: .T. Cooper (Cooper 500), 68.68 m.p.h.
2nd: G. Hartwell (Monaco), 60.99 m.p.h.
3rd: F. Samuelson (Marwyn 500), 60.56 m.p.h.

Also ran: Spink (G.S.I.), 45.10 m.p.h.

Racing cars up to 750 c.c.
A beautiful run by Dowson in the Lightweight Special, now endowed with a new shaft-driven single o.h.c. engine, a reputed Nuffield prototype, won easily at not far short of 78 m.p.h., Phillips’ C-type M.G., its partner, blowing up. Hamilton’s R-type M.G. beat Jarvis’ Austin very easily and then the Wharton-Special came snaking down the course, going right over the central white line and back again, his partner, Heron’s oddly-bodied M.G., having its own excitements, with front-wheel bounce. Walton’s R-type M.G. beat Render’s Austin Seven-chassis, which was a Cozette-blown “Ulster” with S.U. carburetter, Alta head, and 5.25 by 16 rear tyres. A very fine finish was produced by Symonds’ Austin, going nicely for once, and Martin’s M.G., as the latter mis-fired, after leading Symonds up the course, letting the Austin win. Hamilton’s M.G. towed Brandon back to the start at 80, faster than he came up the course

1st: J. Dowson (Lightweight-Special), 77.81 m.p.h.
2nd: K. Wharton (Wharton-Special), 69.71 m.p.h.
3rd: R. Dryden (M.G.), 67.34 m.p.h.

Also ran: Hartwell (Monaco), 64.91 m.p.h.; Hamilton (M.G.) 59.10 m.p.h.; Symonds (Austin), 56.63 m.p.h.; Martin (M.G.), 55.51 m.p.h.; Jarvis (Austin), 51.31 m.p.h.; Render (Austin), 45.10; and Heron (M.G.), 43.52 m.p.h.

Racing Cars up to 1,100 c.c.
Thomson’s old Salmson, which has a twin-cam Salmson engine, home-modified chassis, Amilcar front axle and Austin radiator, and is soon to have L.M.B.type front suspension, flooded a carburetter, but beat Rivers Fletcher’s M.G., which had a throttle connection adrift. Thomson was using twin rear tyres for the first time. Tooley’s Riley G.N. went very well, bouncing at the rough section near the finish, and Finch’s lovely little Amilcar Six went really rapidly. The Lightweight, snaking under the brakes after the finish, was even faster than before, Issigonis managing nearly 78.50 m.p.h. The Westall-Special, with beautifully tapering early-Brooklands tail, was too rich and very sick. The rebuilt Freikaiserwagen was really good to watch, despite a broken chain.

1st: H. Issigonis (Lightweight-Special), 78.38 m.p.h.
2nd: J. Fry (Freikaiserwagen), 75.78
3rd: O. Finch (Amilcar), 72.84 m.p.h.

Also ran: Richards (Riley), 61.56 m.p.h.; Tooley (Riley G.N.), 61.45 m.p.h.; Thomson (Salmson-Special), 60.00 m.p.h.; Symonds (Austin), 59.49 m.p.h.; Dryden (M.G.), 59.24 m.p.h.; Rivers Fletcher (M.G.), 59.18 m.p.h.; Jarvis (Austin) and Martin (M.G.), 53.01 m.p.h.; Westall (Westall-Special), 46.99 m.p.h.; Render. (Austin), 46.41 m.p.h.; and Heron (M.G.). 37.28 m.p.h.

Racing Cars up to 1,500 c.c.
Gerard made a grand run to win this class, beating his wife’s time (in the 2-litre) in the Ladies’ Class by 1.34 m.p.h. Rivers Fletcher again had his throttle connection come adrift, Vaughan was pleased with the Fane-Nash, but hampered by using his high top gear against a headwind, so that he was just beaten by Finch. Mortimer’s old 4-cylinder Maserati ran well, Charlton had recovered from his I.O.M. crash, but his Bugatti, sans its bonnet, could in no wise hold Baring’s Maserati. Richardson’s Bugatti had a grand duel with the Norris-Special. “Bira” did not run the E.R.A.

1st: F. Gerard (E.R.A.), 81.34 m.p.h.
2nd: G. Ansell (E.R.A.), 81.05 m.p.h.
3rd: C. Mortimer (Maserati), 76.42 m.p.h.

Also ran: Baring (Maserati), 75.32 m.p.h.; Fry (Freikaiserwagen), 74.29 m.p.h.; Finch (Amilcar), 72.63 m.p.h.; Vaughan (Fane-Nash), 72.16 m.p.h.; Foster (Bugatti), 72.04 m.p.h.; Richardson (Bugatti) 65.52 m.p.h.; Norris (Norris-special), 65.03 m.p.h.; Tooley (Riley (G.N.), 61.12 m.p.h.; Thomson (Salmson-Special), 60.67 m.p.h.; Chorlton (Bugatti), 58.25 m.p.h.; Colbourne Baber (Stafford-Special), 52,51 m.p.h.; and Rivers Fletcher (M.G.), 48.21 m.p.h.

Racing Cars up to 3,000 c.c.
Great fuss when “Bira’s” 3-litre Maserati would not start, so that Mays ran against Stubberfield’s 35B Bugatti. Eventually the Maserati got going, running with Baring’s Maserati, which cut-out almost before the finish. Gerard, now in the 2-litre pulled out 85.9 m.p.h. this time, crossing the line at 5,700 r.p.m., to get third place behind Mays and “Bira.” Incidentally, a strip of tape represented “No. 1 ” on Mays’ immaculate E.R.A. Taylor’s Alta was beaten by Vaughan’s Fane-Nash in a grand tussle and McAlpine’s Maserati easily disposed a Burton’s sports-Talbot in spite of a smoke-haze from its cockpit. Hawthorne’s Type 51 Bugatti and Foster’s Bugatti were both misfiring. The “2.9” Alfa-Romeos of Hutchison and Salvadori made a fine pair, the former winning by a narrow margin. Bolster’s drive in “Mary” was nothing short of historic.

1st: R, Mays (E.R.A.), 92.17 m.p.h.
2nd: “B. Bira” (Maserati), 86.23 m.p.h.
3rd: F. Gerard (E.R.A.), 85.90 m.p.h.

Also ran: Hutchison (Alfa-Romeo), 85.12 m.p.h.; Salvadori (Alfa-Romeo), 86.73; McAlpine (Maserati), 81.08; Bolster (“Bloody Mary”), 80.52 m.p.h.; Colbourne Baber (Stafford-Special), 79.89 m.p.h.; Hawthorne (Bugatti), 79.04 m.p.h.; Taylor (Alta), 78.76 m.p.h.; Stubberfield (Bugatti), 76.19 m.p.h.; Mortimer (Maserati), 76.14 m.p.h. Mond (Bentley-Special), 76.09 m.p.h, Fairman (Bugatti) and Vaughan (Fane-Nash). 71.70 m.p.h.; Baring (Maserati), 70.79 Foster (Bugatti), 68.62 m.p.h.; Norris (Norris-Special), 65.41 m.p.h.; and Burton (Talbot), 62.48 m.p.h.

Racing Cars Unlimited
Mays, in spite of getting more wheelspin at the start, still held off all opposition. “Bira” went much better and so did Gerard, so that Poore’s “3.8” AlfaRomeo couldn’t do better than 4th place, with Taylor’s rebuilt ex-O’Boyle 2-litre Alta just over 1 m.p.h. slower. You could hardly expect John Bolster to go quite so fast again, so soon, in “Mary,” but he did do 78.76 m.p.h. to show there was no deception. He performs outstandingly so often, in his phenomenal and popular little car, that it is his fault we have no further words with which to praise his efforts! Hutchison was again outstanding, but not so fast as before. Allard’s sports-Allard blew up, letting Lowrey’s Mercury-Nash beat it in spite of losing several driving chains. Mond’s Autovia-engined Delage-chassis Bentley-Special was smoking, and both Hawthorne’s Bugatti and the BentleyJackson gave trouble, but James’ ” Four-Nine” ex-Craig Bugatti, wings in place, ran beautifully. Sir David Gamble’s Invicta finished just ahead of Burton’s Talbot, Bolster was surprisingly close to “Bira”, and the Steyr-Allard wasn’t too happy, being under-geared in spite of a lightning axle-change since making f.t.d. at Craigantlet. Stubberfield got a bath from his Bugatti’s filler cap.

1st: R. Mays (E.R.A.), 91.23 m.p.h.
2nd: “B. Bira ” (Maserati), 87.79 m.p.h.
3rd: F. Gerard (E.R.A.), 86.30 m.p.h.

Also run: Poore (Alfa-Romeo), 85.97 m.p.h.; Taylor (Alta), 84.80 m.p.h.; Hutchison (Alfa-Romeo), 83.34 m.p.h.; Wallington (Bugatti), 81.17 m.p.h.; McAlpine (Maserati), 80.46; (“Bloody Mary”), 78.76 m.p.h.; Allard (Steyr-Allard), 76.61 m.p.h.; Salvadori (Alfa-Romeo), 75.06 m.p.h.; Hawthorne (Bugatti), 73.58 m.p.h.; Stubberfield (Bugatti), 69.47 m.p.h.; Mond (Bentley-Special), 68.62 m.p.h.; James (Bugatti), 65.97 m.p.h.; Lowrey (Mercury-Nash), 65.45 m.p.h.; Allard (Allard), 65.03 m.p.h.; Pool (Bugatti), 60.13 m.p.h.; and Shortt (Bentley-Jackson), 55.37 m.p.h.

Match Race-Fastest Car versus Fastest Motorcycle
1st: R. Mays (E.R.A.), 92.17 m.p.h.
2nd: B. Berry (Brough-Superior). 82.24 m.p.h.

Edwardian Racing Cars Unlimited
Gibbs’ Fiat just got away from Clutton’s Itala at the start and thereafter these two red cars ran with but a few lengths separating them; as they passed under the finishing-banner at 85 m.p.h.., the Fiat’s chains threshing, the Itala doing its 1,400 r.p.m., we experienced one of the finest spectacles of the afternoon. Clark’s Mercédès was still accelerating at. the end of the kilometre, where it was doing 2,200 r.p.m. Spectators, officials and the police were loud in their praise of these old cars-those who came to laugh were loudest in their praise. Nor did Abbott’s 1904 Mercédès, Bolster’s 1911 Rolls-Royce (rather gate-crashing amongst the racers!) or Samuelson’s ex-Park “I.O.M. 1” 1914 T.T. Sunbeam disgrace themselves. The last-named now has its chassis shortened to the correct length of the original.

1st: L. Gibbs (Fiat), 63.69 m.p.h.
2nd: P. Clark (Mercédes), 62.45 m.p.h.
3rd: C. Clutton (Itala), 61.79 m.p.h.

Also ran: Bolster (Rolls-Royce), 44.32 m.p.h.; Samuelson (Sunbeam), 39,52 m.p.h.; and Abbott (Mercédes), 39.10 m.p.h.

Vintage Sports Cars Unlimited
Grane’s “2.3” Bugatti won very creditably and comfortably from Alan May’s “30/98” Vauxhall, the latter getting away well on its Ford clutch. Not far behind the Vauxhall came Lycett’s very Swift 4 1/2-litre Bentley – again, the old cars most certainly did not disgrace themselves. Axel-Berg’s E-Type “30/98” experienced bad clutch slip, Mrs. Ching’s Bugatti wanted to erect its screen and, in spite of a howling blower, Roll’s Mercédès was beaten by Butterworth’s 4 1/2-litre Bentley.

1st: J. Grane (Bugatti), 67.01 m.p.h.
2nd: A. May (Vauxhall), 65.79 m.p.h.
3rd: F. Lycett (Bentley), 64.28 m.p.h.

Also ran: Brierley (Bentley), 62.28 m.p.h.; Butterworth (Bentley), 61.79 m.p.h.; Markes (Bentley), 60.46 m.p.h.; Marechal (Bentley) 59.46 m.p.h.; Fairman (Bentley), 59.45 m.p.h.; Morrish (Frazer-Nash), 59.26 m.p.h.; Mertens (Bentley), 58.84 m.p.h.; Rohll (Mercédes), 57.65 m.p.h.; Scott-Russell (Bentley), 56.77 m.p.h.; Ching (Alfa-Romeo), 55.10 m.p.h.; Robbins (Austin), 52.49 m.p.h.; Gahagen (Bugatti), 50.99 m.p.h.; Bowles (Austin), 49.06 m.p.h.; Axel-Berg (Riley), 47.80 m.p.h.; Mrs. Ching (Bugatti), 44.56 m.p.h.; and Axel-Berg (Vauxhall), 32.61 m.p.h.

That concluded a most interesting day’s sport, of which the results are most instructive if you wade through them. A big event of this sort is talked of abroad and is good prestige for this little country, so it is unfortunate and foolhardy that, unless “basic” petrol is restored, we shall presumably have no such fixtures next year. As the racing machinery dispersed in the Paddock the Edwardians were a centre of awe and attraction and these cars must not be allowed to fade away, if and when British motoring sport is resumed.