New Lap Record At Brands Hatch
The August meeting opened with a threat of indifferent weather but apart from one heavy shower there was virtually no rain. John Bolster should be congratulated upon his excellent commentary of the racing on the broadcast system. The band of the Royal Artillery were given a very big hand on the occasions in which they filled in the various intervals.
The first heat of the August Sprint Race was won by J. K. Brice in a J.A.P.-engined Cooper in the time of 5 min. 13.4 sec. at an average speed of 57.44 m.p.h. Second was Gray and third was Westcott. The relatively slow average was caused by the one and only heavy rainstorm of the meeting which made the track very treacherous. The second heat was won by G. Wicken driving a Norton-engined Cooper at an average speed of 60 m.p.h.—time 5 mm. Second was Leston, third was Emery. The third heat was won very comfortably by W. J. Whitehouse who drove a magnificent race in his Norton-engined Cooper at an average speed of 63 m.p.h. Second was N. Gray, and third was A. Loens.
The last heat resulted in Parker in a Kieft-Norton beating Stirling Moss in a similar car at an average speed of 66.77 m.p.h. Moss, apparently, was having, a certain amount of gearbox trouble, but for all that Don Parker drove a very fine race.
In the final of this August Sprint a colossal battle was fought out again between Parker and Moss. However, after Parker, Moss and Whitehouse had fought a terrific battle in the opening laps, Parker again came in first at an average speed of 68.34 m.p.h. Stirling Moss broke the lap record with a speed of 71.8 m.p.h. Bill Whitehouse was third.
The heats for the Daily Telegraph International Trophy Race took place at high average speed. In the first heat Don Parker in his Norton-engined Kieft came in first with an average speed of 66.73 m.p.h. closely followed by Truman in a similar car and R. G. Bicknell in third place. This race was unfortunately marred by a nasty accident in the first lap when J. Gregory had the misfortune to somersault three times at 80 m.p.h. He was eventually thrown clear and the car finished up on its four wheels. Gregory, though appearing to be badly injured, was allowed home after treatment. In the second heat Whitehouse who was the favourite only managed to get fourth place, Brise in his Cooper-J.A.P. being first at an average speed of 66.62 m.p.h., Bray second and Webb third. In the third heat Stirling Moss motored in an easy winner at 67.90 m.p.h. with Headland and Wicken second and third respectively. The last heat was won by P. R. Emery in his Norton-engined Emeryson at an average speed of 68.3 m.p.h.
The Consolation Race was won by Daniell and second was Habin. This race produced a fairly good entry and those who had finished lower in the preceding laps certainly put up a very good show.
We were then treated to a demonstration run by John Cooper in the Cooper-J.A.P. record-car, which did 100 kilometres at 92.13 m.p.h. at the Montlhery track near Paris.
The final of the Daily Telegraph International Trophy Race was won by Don Parker in his Norton-engined Kieft at an average speed of 67.92 m.p.h. It appeared during the early laps that Stirling Moss was all set to be the eventual winner as he gave a masterly display of driving; however, due to engine trouble and the old gearbox trouble he had to retire about half-way through the race. This gave Parker a comfortable lead and although hotly pursued by Loens and Wicken they were unable to catch him, and consequently finished second and third respectively. This race was especially notable for a very thrilling scrap fought out between four of the cars in the lower numbers of the field.—J. C. M.