COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE M.C.RALLY

COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE M.C. RALLY (Sept. 5th)

The Annual Night Rally of the Coventry & Warwickshire M.C. was held on September 5th. Competitors started from Stonebridge at two-minute intervals from midnight onwards and followed a 200-mile route to Weston-super-Mare at an average speed of 30 m.p.h.

To reach the first control drivers either had to cross the centre of Birmingham or bypass the city. Those drivers who chose the former route had the easier task, although a diversion round the outskirts of Kidderminster, as the centre was closed for a fair, made several entrants quickly revise their speeds.

To reach the third control at Callow End competitors had the choice of crossing the River Severn at either Worcester or Upton-onSevern. The latter route was longer but the control, which was the village post office, was more easily found when approached from the south. Several competitors lost time through not realising that a six-figure map reference confines a control to a comparatively small area and not a whole village.

All competitors checked in at the seven route controls but, owing to the excellent conditions which existed throughout the night, nearly two-thirds of the entries were unpenalised at Weston-superMare.

The first test, a “Monte Carlo” brake test, saw equal fastest time shared by R. B. James, the eventual winner, and A. Rollason in an Allard saloon, winner of Class IV. D. A. Pattison stripped reverse gear of his Sunbeam-Talbot, bringing his participation in the rally to a premature conclusion.

The second test involved reversing into a garage round a pylon and back into the same garage. Fastest time went to Mrs. D. R. Osborn (H.R.G.), in 11 sec. dead.

J. M. Caunt, driving a Ford Consul, won Class III, losing only one mark in his first attempt at a rally.

The organisation was up to the excellent standard competitors have come to expect from Peter Nichols, and the route had obviously received much thought. The provisional results were announced within an hour of all competitors finishing breakfast, which was at Pontius’ Holiday Camp, Sand Bay. °ita’ Premier Award.—R. B. James (14 Me.gGu.td

soon). I mark lost.

Class I (Up to 1,100 e.e.).—No award, insufficient entries.

Chas. II (1,100-1.500 c.).—A. Whittaker (TD M.G.), 3 marks lost.

Class HI (1,500-2,500 e.e.).—J. M. Count (Ford Consul), 1 mark lost.

Class IV (Over 2,500 c.c.).—A. F. Rollason (Allard saloon). 2 marks lost. Tearn.—M. T. Smith (Hillman), J. Horobin (14-litre Riley). D. Underwood (14-litre Riley). * * * N.L.E.C.C. SECRETARY

The new address of the Hon. Secretary of the North Loud on E.C.C. is : G. Bence, Flat 1, 11, Bath Road, Reading, Berks.