South-West Circuits, Hill Climbs, Sprints, Driving Tests etc etc

A thread to cover the history of the following locations (and others):

Backwell, Blandford, Davidstow, Dunkeswell, Holimarine, Ibsley, Longleat, Naish, Oddicombe, Predannack, St. Audries, St. Eval, Tregrehan, Trengwainton, Weston, Whitchurch, Winkleigh, Wiscombe, Yeovilton

See: www.aswmc.org.uk

Periphery: Brunton, Castle Combe, Dyrham Park, Gurston, Hullavington, Little Rissington, South Cerney, Poole

For Tarrant Rushton start here.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 September 2022 - 06:56.

Trengwainton Hill Climb, West Cornwall Motor Club, Friday 11th August 1939, evening event starting 6 p.m., quarter mile course

Results:—

Solo Motor Cycles up to 250 c.c.

1. J.L. Badger, Excelsior, 45 1-5th secs

2. J. Pascoe, Velocette, 48 secs

Solo Motor Cycles (unlimited)

1. M. Thornton, Triumph, 350 c.c., 40 1-5th secs

2. A. White, Excelsior, 497 c.c., 41 1-5th secs

Sidecar Machines

1. A. White, Excelsior, 497 c.c., 42 4-5th secs

2. B. Curtis, Norton, 496 c.c., 43 4-5th secs

Standard Touring Cars

1. J.H. Pool, Ford V8, 48 secs

2. D. Healey, Triumph, 49 secs

Sports Cars under 1,500 c.c.

1. W.P. Uglow, H.R.G., 42 secs  

2. H. Harris, M.G., 43 3-5th secs

Sports Cars, cars unlimited, or any super-charged car

1. W.P Uglow, H.R.G., 43 3-5th secs

2. R. Harris, M.G., 44 secs

Fastest Time of the Day

M. Thornton, Triumph, 350 c.c., 40 1-5th secs

RGDS RLT   

Edited by Rupertlt1, 13 March 2020 - 00:38.

My neck of the woods. You've seen the Davidstow book? We used to go up to Davidstow aerodrome whenever we could persuade a parent and drive around all day, or for as long as parent's patience lasted.

Edited by PRD, 13 March 2020 - 16:50.

Tregrehan Hill climb, St. Austell, Truro & District Motor Club, 29 March 1970, 700 yards, 80 starters

FTD: Brian Preston (1293 Mini Cooper S) 22.44s

Class winners:

Paul Dillow (850 Austin)

Brian Preston (1293 Mini Cooper S)

Andy Holloway (Sunbeam Imp)

Geoff Hosking (1.2 NSU TT)

C. Tully (1.6 Ford Anglia)

M.D. Barnecutt (3.0 Ford Escort)

John Waters (1150 A-H Sprite)

Terry Keen (1275 A-H Sprite)

P. Cains (2.5 Triumph TR6)

R. Eyles (900 Rodes Special)

Geoff Hosking (Dune Buggy), specials class

Tommy Elton (1100 Cooper)

"Charlie Gwinnel's Nike-Porsche spluttered its way to a class win, in a time close to FTD. J.A.H."

Motoring News, 16 April 1970, Page 19

RGDS RLT

Predannack and St Eval were regularly used on the Tour of Cornwall rally through the 1980s/90s.   Davidstow was also a single venue rally location.

My neck of the woods. You've seen the Davidstow book? We used to go up to Davidstow aerodrome whenever we could persuade a parent and drive around all day, or for as long as parent's patience lasted.

I have visited several times and on my last trip South I popped into the RAF Davidstow Museum - well worth including in any trip to Cornwall's only F1 circuit.

ST. EVAL SPRINT, September 1965

Newquay M.C., Plymouth M.C., Camel Vale M.C., Truro M.C., West Cornwall M.C.

B.T.D. John Grafton (Cooper-Buick Monaco) 1m 49.2s

2nd Brian Moyse (U2-Ford 1500) 1m 51.6s

Class winners:

M. Lane (Saab Sport) 2m 3.3s

J. Hosking (Mini-Cooper) 1m 57.2s

J. Fry (Mini-Cooper) 1m 57.6s

T. Howard (Simca 1000) 2m 5s

R. Doidge (Ford Anglia 1500) 1m 59.4s

C. Townrow (M.G. Midget) 2m 6s

R. Harper (Morgan Plus 4) 1m 55.8s

B. Solomon (Lotus-Ford 7) 1m 56.6s 

E. Holman (Lotus Mk.6) 1m 58.2s

Autosport, 1 October 1965

St Eval was an operational R.A.F station from October 1939.

In 1940 became a Fighter Command Sector Headquarters operating Spitfires, Hurricanes, Blenheims during the Battle of Britain. Closed 1959.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 14 March 2020 - 10:12.

St Eval was also used by the USAAF for anti-submarine patrols and later by the RAF for air-sea rescue.

This one probably isn't well-known - Castle Drive, Pendennis, a bike racing circuit in Cornwall, operational between 1931 and 1937. Although they claim it was on public roads I assume that the circuit also encompassed Pendennis Rise and was likely on 'unadopted' or private roads not subject to the Road Traffic Act. The castle itself was an active military base until 1920 and then put under the control of the then Ministry of Works before being re-activated in 1939.

Been trying to find the first Trengwainton — is this it?

Trengwainton, West Cornwall Motor Club, Wednesday 3rd August 1938?, evening event

"Mr. J. Jones, the well-known member of the M.G. official works "Cream Cracker" team delighted the crowd with his magnificent handling of his machine which won the silver cup for the fastest car climb."

46 3-5th secs.

Here is J.E.S. Jones on the Torquay Rally, BBL 80, 15-16 July 1938:

https://www.art.com/...-rally-1938.htm

Ken Crawford, BBL 79, here:

https://www.agefotos...d/HEZ-2647072/1

https://www.agefotos...d/HEZ-2647075/1

Archie Langley, BBL 84, here:

https://www.agefotos...d/HEZ-2647077/1

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 15 March 2020 - 15:15.

THRILLING NOVELTY!

SPEED HILL CLIMB

FOR MOTOR CYCLES AND MOTOR CARS.

Organised by the Pendennis Motor Cycle and Light Car Club (promoters of the famous Pendennis Castle road races).

SWANPOOL. FALMOUTH. WEDNESDAY. JULY 26th.

From 6.30 p.m. onwards. Admission: 6d. Car Park adjoins.

West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, Thursday 20 July 1939

Standard car (up to 10h.p.)—F. Jane Falmouth. 32sec. Ford 10.

Unlimited—J F Storey. Falmouth. 31.4 sec.

Sports car—R W Hartnell. Truro. 24.1sec. M.G.

H.T.P Staff Cup for best non-supercharged sports car—R D Harris, Falmouth. 25sec. MG

1,500 spectators. 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 14 March 2020 - 22:44.

It is perhaps a bit outside this thread's focus, but one of the longest running hill-climbs in the SW must be the infamous Blue Hills (goat) track close to St Agnes in Cornwall and used every year on the Motor Cycling Club's Lands End Trial.  It was scheduled for early April this year but has already fallen foul of the virus. 

For those unfamiliar with this - and trials fly a long way under the radar, being almost unknown outside their own circle of competitors - a motley collection of motorbikes and cars proceed from several start points in Southern England via a series of largely impossible hills to finish at Hayle in Cornwall.  Blue Hills is the key note test of the trial.  At the base of the hill is a pair of wrought iron gates incorporating the MCC logo.  It is a strange and atmospheric place - the valley has the remains of the tin mining industry and feels very remote despite being only two or three miles from the fashionable village of St Agnes which is redolent of quinoa burgers and raspberry coulis.  Well worth a visit (Blue Hills, that is) if in the area.

Edited by BRG, 15 March 2020 - 17:27.

It is perhaps a bit outside this thread's focus, but one of the longest running hill-climbs in the SW must be the infamous Blue Hills (goat) track close to St Agnes in Cornwall and used every year on the Motor Cycling Club's Lands End Trial.  It was scheduled for early April this year but has already fallen foul of the virus. 

 

For those unfamiliar with this - and trials fly a long way under the radar, being almost unknown outside their own circle of competitors - a motley collection of motorbikes and cars proceed from several start points in Southern England via a series of largely impossible hills to finish at Hayle in Cornwall.  Blue Hills is the key note test of the trial.  At the base of the hill is a pair of wrought iron gates incorporating the MCC logo.  It is a strange and atmospheric place - the valley has the remains of the tin mining industry and feels very remote despite being only two or three miles from the fashionable village of St Agnes which is redolent of quinoa burgers and raspberry coulis.  Well worth a visit (Blue Hills, that is) if in the area.

This is most welcome. I deliberately put "etc etc" in the title to include all contributions. Please carry on!

Reading about Beggars Roost and Darroch Hill is no hardship. Also rallies.

Could it be among this lot?

https://www.agefotos...lands end trial

RGDS RLT.

Edited by Rupertlt1, 15 March 2020 - 18:50.

Could it be among this lot?

No, none of those seem to be Blue Hills, but a fine array of shots none the less.  Blue Hills is a lot rougher and wilder.

https://youtu.be/e9it10geyYc

Edited by BRG, 15 March 2020 - 19:54.

No, none of those seem to be Blue Hills, but a fine array of shots none the less.  Blue Hills is a lot rougher and wilder.

 

 

https://youtu.be/e9it10geyYc

The link failed the test, but above works.

Great clip!

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 15 March 2020 - 20:03.

Does anyone have any information on the history of Exmouth Motor Club? Particularly when it was founded. Committee meeting yesterday was of the opinion that it was around in the late 1930's but they would like to know for sure.

Does anyone have any information on the history of Exmouth Motor Club? Particularly when it was founded. Committee meeting yesterday was of the opinion that it was around in the late 1930's but they would like to know for sure.

See here.

RGDS RLT

Dunkeswell sprint

FTD G. Inglis (Brabham BT14/21 Ford S/C 1.6) 2m 21.1s

Class winners:

D. Franklin (1.0 Sunbeam Imp) 2m 33.5s

B. Eyles (1.3 Mini-Cooper S) 2m 24.8s

A. LeProvost (1.9 Ford Anglia) 2m 31.6s

J. Pugsley (1.0 DRW) 2m 26.0s

J. Hill (1.6 U2 t/c) 2m 25.0s

P. Harris (4.2 Jaguar E) 2m 24.6s

P. Hill (1.0 Cooper-Vincent) 2m 35.3s

G. Inglis (Brabham BT14/21 Ford S/C 1.6) 2m 21.1s

Motoring News, 13 May 1971, Page 26

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 17 March 2020 - 11:06.

Yeovilton sprint, R.A.C. Championship Round 1, Yeovil Car Club, 26 March 1972

FTD Terry Smith (Cooper-Chrysler T81B) 62.06s

Class winners

Ian Rawle (850 Mini) 73.95s

R. Walker (1.0 Mini Cooper) 71.41s

J. Buncombe (1.3 Mini-Cooper S) 66.20s

Basil Stainer (3.8 Ford Anglia-Jaguar S/C) 73.86s 

B. Butler (1.1 A-H Sprite) 67.80s

Nick Green (5.0 AC Cobra) 67.15s

J. Hill (1.6 Mallock U2 Mk11) 65.86s

H. Hutchings (1.8 Bel Mk2) 71.37s

David Way (1.0 Brabham BT18) 70.60s

John Frampton (1.1 Terrapin) 68.47

G. Inglis (1.5 Brabham BT14/21 Ford S/C) 64.72s

Championship run-off

1. Terry Smith (Cooper-Chrysler T81B) 62.06s  

2. G. Inglis (1.5 Brabham BT14/21 Ford S/C) 63.43s

3. Tom Elton (1.1 Brabham BT18) 68.33s

4. John King (1.2 Landar R6) 73.93s

5. Brian Score (2.5 Jaguar Six "S") 79.19s

Motoring News, 6 April 1972, Page 18

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 18 March 2020 - 10:42.

Yeovilton sprint, R.A.C. Championship Round 1, Yeovil Car Club, 26 March 1972

FTD Terry Smith (Cooper-Chrysler T81B) 62.06s

 

Rupert, can you PM me your current email address? I just tried to email my BSC Database to you (it has all the Championship Run-off results from the first round at Yeovilton to the end of 2010) however, the email got bounced.   

Edited by Stephen W, 19 March 2020 - 08:43.

Yeovilton 29/03/1970    Rd 1 British Sprint Championship

01         Patsy Burt          4.5 McLaren-Oldsmobile/Traco M3A/2                  61.71   

02         Tony Harrison    4.7 Lola-Ford T70L Mk2 SL71/23                           62.37   

03         Spencer Elton    1.6 Brabham-Ford/Vegantune TC BT21C-6           72.00   

04         Arthur Dan         1.7 Ford Anglia                                                       76.21   

05         Pat Ryan            1.1s Aldon Viper-BMC A                                         76.39   

No Other Qualifiers

To throw in a few more venues:

Cricket Thomas Wildlife Park, Chard, Somerset.  Used in the 80s and 90s, also used for rallies.  (don't mention Mr Blobby, please!)

Finlake Park, Chudleigh Knighton, Devon - 1990s

Kingdown Hill, Bath - 1920s

Manor Farm,Charmouth - a recent one, from 2010

Porlock Toll Road, Somerset - also a rally stage.

Watergate Bay, Cornwall - very new (2018) using the new road closure legislation

On the subject of Porlock, in 1964 the London MC proposed using the whole of the four-mile toll road for a hillclimb on October 25th, apparently with the eventual ambition of establishing a British round of the European Mountain Championship. After an RAC inspection, the plan had to be abandoned on safety grounds. See Autosport 28/8/64 and 16/10/64.

Porlock was used downhill as a stage on the 1964 RAC Rally (which probably frightened off any chance  of a hillclimb in that era...). It was also planned to be used downhill on the 1976 RAC and was in the Roadbook as such. There was a last minute amendment to change it to uphill, using the main road twice. (It was this route amendment without a corresponding amendment to the time schedule  that enabled Penti Airikkala to continue in the lead to the last day on 15 valves, under protest, despite being OTL at the following Weston super Mare TC). It was widely used in regional rallies, the rally stage being much longer than the hillclimb.

Porlock's hillclimb use in the 90s was under a track licence that permitted production cars with fully enveloping bodywork only (no Caterhams etc), although there were a couple of potentially serious "offs" involving open sports cars with no roll cage. 

Edited by RS2000, 19 March 2020 - 17:04.

The second of those Autosport reports, which concerns the cancellation, mentions the forthcoming rally stage, with a certain air of incredulity. Having driven the toll road once myself, the thought of doing it at speed uphill - let alone down! - would imply a necessity for extremely large cojones!

The hill climb use in the 90s was under a MSA track licence granted by, I believe, Derek Ongaro. Sadly he did not live too long afterwards so was never able to renew it. When the new MSA "Technical Executive" finally got round to inspecting it, it did not get renewed. My understanding was that a much shortened course with a lot of safety barriers might have gained approval but that was effectively impracticable for a "once per year" track. Extra barriers was part of the reason for Longleat's final demise but the Estate only offering new dates when it would have got dark half way through was decisive. There was some complaint over access from farms at Porlock but I think the Estate itself remained supportive of the event.

From the cojones aspect, there were 3 places where they shrunk a bit : an early medium left by a bench (a bench for sitting to admire they view out over the near vertical cliff on the outside of the bend....), the long blind right hander after the first hairpin (that seemed to have 3 or 4 apexes, each with a bump in the road that threw a few cars into the trees on the left) and the toll booth (with very solid posts either side, barely a car width apart, and somewhat similar to going through a motorway toll both at 70 mph).

It has been used fairly often as a stage - on the Somerset Stages Rally for instance.  Not sure why it should be viewed as any more fearsome than quite a lot of other stages with big drops and so on?  There are plenty of places in Wales equally daunting.

There are two toll roads at Porlock and I have never been sure which one is which!  Or whether both have been used?

Yeovilton           28/03/1971       Rd 1 British Sprint Championship

01         Roy Lane            5.5 McLaren-Chevrolet/Smith M10B-400-03        59.60

02         Spencer Elton    1.6 Brabham-Ford/Vegantune TC BT21C-6           61.40

03         Johnty Williamson         7.2 Cooper-Chrysler T81B F1-1-67           62.30

04         Tom Elton          1.1 Brabham-Ford BDA BT18 F2-8-66                    65.00

No Other Qualifiers

It's the "inland" of the two Porlock toll roads that was used (ie.not the one that runs from Porlock Weir).

I certainly never saw the rally stage as particularly scary - and that included the stone bridge early on, which the hill climb did not. Strangely, a number of rally people that did the hill climb found it much more daunting. Probably a question of the greater mental intensity employed on a short hill climb and this being a longer hill climb than anyone had experienced in the UK (and the lack of imagination of most rally drivers?). 

I always had problems with speed events compared to rally stages in just getting going properly when the finish arrived. Similarly, the difference between a top professional and an amateur stage rally driver was sometimes not so much outright speed but the ability to carry that speed for 20 miles without losing concentration and falling off.

Yeovilton           25/03/1973       Rd 1 British Sprint Championship

01         Johnty Williamson          5.7 McLaren-Chevrolet M10A-300-08/B               63.75

02         David Hartley                  3.5 Brabham-Buick BT18 F2-44-66                        65.41

03         Terry Smith                     3.5 TechCraft-Buick 1                                             65.47

Tony Bradwell   4.7 Brabham-Oldsmobile BT19 F1-3-65/BT21 Quattro     Rtd

Spencer Elton    1.6 Brabham-Ford/Vegantune TC BT21/30                        Rtd

This Cosworth engined Lotus, a Mark 18 modified to Mark 20 specification, has been bought by Mr. Jehanbaz Ali Khan of Reed and Co.(Torquay) Ltd., and Mr. Tony Carter, sales manager of Renwicks Garage (Newton Abbot) Ltd.

The 120-plus b.h.p. Lotus should soon be making regular appearances at sprint and hill-climb meetings. Mr. Khan has been having a fair share of success at Westcountry meetings in his Lotus-Cortina lately and Mr. Carter has scored several wins in his Climax-engined Lotus. Now he is with the Volkswagen distributors Mr. Carter is also planning to run a Volkswagen 1500 "S" in hill climb events.   

Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, Wednesday 15 July 1964

Sid Davy/Tony Carter were entered #125 in a powder blue Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 1500 S coupe on the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally, sponsored by Renwicks.

Starting from London. Known as Type 3. Registration BTA 2B? DNF?

Seen at 9:09 in this film: https://www.youtube....h?v=cdRd3YbkBrQ

Also seen at 38secs here: https://www.youtube....h?v=cdRd3YbkBrQ

Volkswagen appeared at Oddicombe Hill Climb, 14 March 1965. See also.

Carter had previously competed at Wiscombe in a Ford Zephyr and Lotus 7.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 30 March 2020 - 16:42.

Yeovilton           31/03/1974       Rd 1 British Sprint Championship

01         Dave Harris        5.0 McLaren-Chevrolet M10B-400-06A/14D          58.34   

02         David Franklin   1.6 Ensign-Ford/Holbay TC LN8-F3-72                   59.53   

03         David Hartley    3.5 Brabham-Buick BT18 F2-44-66                         61.60   

04         David Render    1.6 Brabham-Ford/Vegantune BDA BT29X-37       62.80   

05         Terry Smith        1.0 Vixen-Imp VB5                                                  63.88   

06         Norman Hutchins           1.9 Mallock-MG U2 Mk 8B                         64.63   

07         Hedley Hutchins             1.9 Mallock-MG U2 Mk 8B                        65.58   

08         Tony Bradwell                3.5 Brabham-Buick BT18 F2-44-66           65.93   

09         Clive Bracey                    5.0s Vebra-Chevrolet Mk 1                      67.70   

10         Bill Niblett                      1.1s Minib-Austin Sprint                             70.59   

	West Cornwall MC Trengwainton Hillclimb[DLG1] 
26th March 1951

 

Sports Cars up to 1100cc

 1    W.A.Cleave            Morris Special             29.44s

 2    B.Fincher            HRG                       32.98s

 

Sports Cars up to 1500cc

 1    J.M.Lewis            HRG                       29.00s

 2    A.W.Morrish           MG                        29.63s

 

Sports Cars over 1500cc

 1    J.W.Broad            Allard                     27.57s

 2    G.S.Scali            Auto Union Special          28.85s

 

Open Championship

 1    J.W.Broad            Allard                     27.57s

 2    D.Pritchard           HRG                       28.85s

 

Vintage Cars

 1    G.Needham            Bentley                    34.70s

 2    E.W.Bowen-Jones       Alvis                      35.70s




 [DLG1]Motor Sport, May 1951, pg 218

More from http://www.dlg.speed...k/post_1950.pdf

5th August 1951

1300cc class

 1    A.Cleave             Morris Special             28.39s

1500cc class

 1    D.Scobey             HRG                       26.8s

Open Championship

 1    J.Bassett            Allard                     25.94s

13th April 1952

Up to 1300cc

 1    W.A.Cleave            Morris Special             27.59s

Up to 2000cc

 1    J.M.Lewis            HRG                       27.70s

Unlimited

 1    P.Jackson            Allard                     26.72s

Championship

 1    E.D.Scobey            Allard                     27.09s

6th April 1953

Sports cars up to 750cc

 1    D.G.Watts            Wastin                     30.76s

Sports cars up to 1300cc

 1    W.A.Cleave            Morris                     28.37s

Sports cars up to 2000cc

 1    G.Crossley-Meates     BMW                       27.56s

Sports cars over 2000cc

 1    P.Jackson            Allard J2                  27.16s

Championship

 1    P.Jackson            Allard J2                  26.41s

Cornwall Vintage Car Club Meeting, Davidstow

8th July 1951

Non-Vintage Sportscars

1    Martin Lewis, HRG

2    D.Scobey, HRG

3    Gerry Scali, Ford Special

9th September 1922 – ½ mile

 1    M.Trethewey           Morgan                     60.6s

14th April 1923

 1    A.J.Sgonina           GN                        33.0s

18th August 1923

 1    A.J.Sgonina           GN                        31.6s

July 1937

Up to 850cc supercharged Sports

 1    W.W.E.Walker          Austin                     35s

 2    R.A.Barnwell          Riley                      35.7s

Up to 1500cc supercharged Sports

 1    T.H.Lewin            MG                        29.8s

 2    C.H.Richardson        MG                        32.4s

Up to 1500cc unsupercharged Sports

 1    Miss Joan Richmond    HRG                       29.7s

 2    C.D.Claridge          Frazer-Nash                30.6s

Up to 4500cc unsupercharged Sports

 1    E.A.Halford           HRG                       30s

 2    C.D.Claridge          Frazer-Nash                30.6s

Up to 850cc supercharged Racing

 1    D.G.Evans            MG                        25.5s

 2    J.Kinnersley          CAPA Special               34.2s

Up to 1100cc supercharged Racing

 1    D.Fry                Freikaiserwagen            24.7s

 2    D.G.Evans            MG                        25.5s

Up to 1500cc unsupercharged Racing

 1    D.G.Evans            MG                        25.5s

 2    T.B.O’Reilly          Red Biddy                  28.5s

Up to 3000cc unsupercharged Racing

 1    G.Hartwell            MG                        25.2s

 2    D.G.Evans            MG                        25.5s

Best Time of Day

 1    J.V.Bolster           Bolster Special            23.3s

July 1939

Sports cars up to 1500cc unsupercharged

 1    G.D.Claridge          Frazer-Nash                29.9s

Sports cars up to 1500cc supercharged

 1    W.P.Uglow            HRD                       30.6s

Sports cars up to 3000cc

 1    G.Bagratouni          Alfa Romeo s/c             27.8s

Sports cars up to 4500cc unsupercharged

 1    S.H.Allard            Allard                     26.2s

Veteran Cars

 1    R.Lawson             Turner Miesse              100.0s

Racing Cars up to 1100cc unsupercharged

 1    E.G.M.Wilkes          Wilkes-JAP                 28.3s

Racing Cars up to 1500cc unsupercharged

 1    P.Neale              CAN                       28.1s

Racing Cars up to 1500cc supercharged

 1    R.E.Ansell            ERA                       28.8s

Racing Cars up to 4500cc unsupercharged

1    S.H.Allard             Allard               26.2s

28th October 1945 – ½ mile airfield course

Sports cars under 1100cc

 1 A.W.Morrish             MG S                      36.2s

 2 D.F.Allen               Austin                     46.8s

 3 F/Lt. A.R.Mallock        Austin                     48.0s

Sports cars under 1500cc

 1 F.R.Gerard              Riley "Sprite"             33.0s

 2 K.V.Baillie Hill         H.R.G.                     33.2s

 3 R.E.Richards            Rover                      35.0s

Sports cars unlimited

 1 L.Parker                Jaguar 100                 31.6s

 2 K.V.Baillie Hill         H.R.G.                     32.6s

 3 F.R.Gerard              Riley "Sprite"             33.1s

Racing cars under 1100cc

 1 A.Issigonis             Lightweight Special 8       32.0s

 2 W.O.Watkins             Watkins-Nash               32.7s

 3 D.Poore                 MG S                      34.2s

Racing cars under 1500cc

 1 F.R.Gerard              E.R.A. S                   26.3s

 2 W.O.Watkins             Watkins-Nash               32.7s

 3 D.Poore                 MG S                      34.3s

Racing cars unlimited

 1 F.R.Gerard              E.R.A. S                   27.1s

 2 J.V.Bolster             Bolster Special            29.9s

 3 8.H.Allard              Allard                     31.0s

18th August 1945 – Clapton-in-Gordano: ½ mile dirt and grass course

 1    F.R.Gerard            ERA 1488cc                 49s

 2    Walter O.Watkins      Watkins-Nash 1000cc         51.6s

 3    K.V.Baillie Hill      HRG 1497cc                 53s

      Maunsell             Frazer-Nash BMW

      Raymond May           BMW

      Parker               Jaguar 100

      Bickerton            Blackburne Frazer-Nash

      Salome               Morgan

      Taylor               AMAC special

      Dennis Poore          MG R Type

      McCormack            Stromboli

      Northway             Anzani-Nash

There were 30 car entries.

4th May 1946

 1 L.Parker                Allard V12                 54.9s

 2 A.W.Morrish             MG P                      58.4s

 3 J.Fry                   Lancia Aprilia Special      58.4s

 4 J.Appleton              Allard                     58.7s

Due to the deterioration of the surface, only sports and touring cars were timed up the course.

Naish House Hillclimb[DLG1]
18th August 1945 – Clapton-in-Gordano: ½ mile dirt and grass course

 1    F.R.Gerard		    ERA 1488cc				 49s

 2    Walter O.Watkins	  Watkins-Nash 1000cc		 51.6s

 3    K.V.Baillie Hill	  HRG 1497cc				 53s

	  Maunsell			 Frazer-Nash BMW

	  Raymond May		   BMW

	  Parker			   Jaguar 100

	  Bickerton		    Blackburne Frazer-Nash

	  Salome			   Morgan

	  Taylor			   AMAC special

	  Dennis Poore		  MG R Type

	  McCormack		    Stromboli

	  Northway			 Anzani-Nash

There were 30 car entries.

[DLG1]Motor Sport, September 1945, pg 192

With thanks to Steve Wilkinson:

PLYMOUTH M.C. ALLEN TROPHY TESTS

Hemerdon Mines, 21st August 1955

Allen Trophy:

1. J.M. Bowles (Dellow)

2. G.H. Turnbull (Jaguar XK120)

3. C.R. Parsons (Dellow)

Hill-climb:

1. G. Scali (Austin-Healey) 24.4 secs

2. G.H. Turnbull (Jaguar) 24.9

Best closed car:

T.M.M. Nesbitt (Volkswagen)

Autosport V11 N10 9th September 1955 - P320

RGDS RLT

Yeovilton           24/09/1974       Rd 8 British Sprint Championship

01         David Franklin   1.6 Ensign-Ford/Holbay TC LN8-F3-72                   57.39

02         Dave Harris        5.0 McLaren-Chevrolet M10B-400-06A/14D          57.85

03         Johnty Williamson          5.0 Surtees-Chevrolet TS11-02                  58.69

04         David Render    1.8 Brabham-Ford BDA BT35-35                            58.75

05         Rob Turnbull     1.6 Brabham-Ford BDA BT35-6                               59.69

06         Bob Rose           5.7 McLaren-Chevrolet M14D/1                             61.08

07         Terry Smith        1.0 Vixen-Imp VB5                                                  62.57

08         John Frampton               1.0 Terrapin-BMC Mk 1F                            63.10

09         Hedley Hutchins             1.9 Mallock-MG U2 Mk 8B                         65.27

10         Tom Elton          1.1 Brabham-Ford BDA BT18 F2-8-66                    66.14

Does anybody else remember the sprint at ROCKLEY SANDS at near Hamworthy, Poole? I believe that there was only one event, which took place around 1961/1962.

I remember John Macklin achieving FTD in a Lotus 20 or 22 (Somebody please correct me if I am wrong).

I attended as a spectator. Despite its pleasant surroundings it was an uninspiring course, and I am not surprised that this was (I think) the only time it was used.

I am fairly sure that the organisers were West Hants and Dorset

Car Club.