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1950 Butlin's Rally


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#1 Leigh Trevail

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Posted 13 November 2011 - 11:09

Would any members have information on the 1950 Butlin’s Rally organised by the East Anglian Motor Club based at Halstead, Essex, this was probably the countries first long distance event after the war, with fuel rationing finally ending in the May of that year.

Starting on Friday 29th September the competitors left from two different points, Car Mart, Staples Corner, Edgware, London and up north; Messrs. H. and J. Quick, Chester Road, Manchester. They all met up in Sleaford and made their way to Butlin’s at Skegness. Here two flood lit courses were set up, the first a ¼ mile Standing Start Sprint and a figure of eight, all followed by a nights entertainment courtesy of the holiday camp.

The next day they travelled via Halstead to Butlin’s at Clacton for more driving tests, on the Sunday a Concours d’Elegance was held, the winner of this being Harry Kemp Place in his pre war Bentley. The M.P ‘Rab’ Butler (President of the organising club) presented the overall winner Ian Appleton (XK 120) with the 100 guinea Butlin’s Challenge Trophy, I don’t think that Billy Butlin himself was at the event.

That is basically all I know, so can anyone confirm that it was the first proper Post War rally and did Butlin’s ever hold another?



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#2 Pete Stowe

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Posted 21 November 2011 - 10:52

The 1950 East Anglian MC Butlin’s Rally was reported in Autosport. Winners were Ian and Pat Appleyard in their Jaguar XK120.

In 1951, the East Anglian MC ran their event as the Clacton Rally, on 28/29 September, with no mention of Butlins, nor was there in the following years.

The first big post-war rally was (according to the Autocar report) the Lancashire AC Blackpool Rally on 6-8 June 1947, with starting points in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London & Manchester.


#3 Leigh Trevail

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Posted 29 November 2011 - 19:06

Thank you Peter. It is interesting that you mention the Lancashire AC as the E.A.M.C founding Chairman was Mr. E. Golightly who was (according to the Halstead Gazette) previously a leading member of the Lancashire & Cheshire Motor Club.