172 replies to this topic

[Rupertlt1]

Malcolm Alan Knights, 1931-2002, was a dentist from Eastbourne, Sussex, England.

1958 address: 166 Victoria Drive, Eastbourne.

 

A member of Eastbourne Motor Club, 1957. Competed in a local Treasure Hunt in a Triumph TR2 in March of that year.

Knights entered a Triumph TR2 for Michael Anthony, #106 at Goodwood, 22 April 1957. Photograph mid-grid here:

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

Knights described as a member of the "Eastbourne branch" of the British Automobile Racing Club.

 

1958: Acquired A.C. Ace, chassis AE 40.

Eastbourne Herald - Saturday 22 March 1958, Pages 7, 20:

‘Hotted-up’ at home car for trophy race

EVENING after evening, week-end after week-end 26-year-old Mr M. A. Knights has worked like a Trojan since September against a deadline—and he has succeeded. His A.C. Bristol racing car will be finished within a fortnight and in time for the British Empire Trophy on April 12 at Oulton Park. Mr Knights, a member of the Eastbourne branch of the British Automobile Racing Club, is completing the work in the garage at the rear of his home at 166 Victoria-drive. The chassis is of standard A.C. design but the frontal appearance has been altered; the original engine has been replaced by the one that was formerly in the Lotus belonging Mr Michael Anthony, the well-known racing driver from Hove, who is a friend of Mr Knights. Mr Anthony will be racing the car as Mr Knights has little track experience, but he will use the car for speed trials and other similar events. The four wheels are independently sprung and there are disc brakes in front with drum brakes at the rear: it is hoped that the top speed will exceed 140 mph. Mr Knights told a reporter. "We hope to cover our expenses by racing and perhaps earn a little more, but we put in all this work mainly to have some fun.” He estimated the value of the model to be well over £2.000.

 

The car raced in the Grand Prix de Spa, Roskilde Ring, Clermont-Ferrand Trophée D'Auvergne etc.

 

Eastbourne Herald - Saturday 07 June 1958, Page 18 

Copenhagen glory for home-made car

JUST two weeks after their success In the Grand Prix de Spa in Belgium, the local racing team of Mr Malcolm Knights, Mr Michael Anthony and the home-made AC Bristol car went on to further glory in the Copenhagen Cup race for sports cars at Copenhagen’s Roskilde Ring circuit last week-end. Mr Knight's Bristol, again driven by the Hove driver, Mr Anthony, won two out of three heats to take second place in the over all classification. The team was robbed of first place by failing to get away with the rest of the competitors in the Le Mans-type start in the second heat. However, the Bristol had already won the first heat, and victory in the final race ensured the Eastbourne team of second prize. British drivers filled the first three places. Mr Knights was particularly pleased with the performance of the car which he built himself and which has been racing for less than two months. The Copenhagen track proved a real test with its heavily banked comers. "It was not a suitable track for seeing what the car can really do,” said Mr Knights after the race. “The Bristol has too long a wheelbase to cope with such tight turns.” Mr Knights and Mr Anthony flew back from Denmark on Monday. Their only worry now is whether the car, which is coming by sea later in the week, will be here in time to take part in the Brands Hatch meeting at the weekend.

 

Firle Hill Climb, 4 October 1959

Fastest sports racing car, M.A. Knights (5,555 c.c. Lister Corvette), 26.46 sec, record. This was a Costin-bodied Lister, shared with Mike Anthony.

 

Brighton Speed Trials 1960

#90 M. Knights, Fiat Abarth

#204 Michael Anthony, Lister

 

Firle Hill Climb, 28 May 1961

Class winner: M. Knights, Lister

 

Malcolm Knights was a member of the Aston Martin Owners' Club.

Aston Martin DB4GT, chassis 0110/R

 

Firle Hill Climb, 14 July 1963

"M. Knights's immaculate Aston

Martin DB4 stormed to the top in 27.65

secs to annex the class."

 

Bodiam Hill Climb, 19 Oct 1963

Closed cars over 2,000 c.c., 2nd in class: M. Knights (Aston Martin DB4GT), 31.62 secs

 

Firle Hill Climb, 12 July 1964

Class winner: M. Knights (Aston Martin DB4GT), 30.36 secs, wet.

 

Brighton Speed Trials, 12 September 1964

#116 M. Knights, Aston Martin DB4 G.T., 3670 c.c. 

 

Firle Hill Climb, 4 October 1964

Best G.T.: M. Knights (Aston Martin DB4GT), 26.57 sec

 

Firle Hill Climb, 29 August 1965

Class winner: M. Knights (Aston Martin DB4GT), 27.65 sec

"Malcolm Knights and his sexy Aston

Martin managed the unlimited class."

 

Brighton Speed Trials, 11 September 1965

#145 M. Knights, Aston Martin DB4, 3670 c.c. 

 

Firle Hill Climb, 29 May 1966  

Class 9: Special Touring and Grand Touring Cars over 2,500 c.c.

1st #100 M.S.P. Litchfield, B.A.R.C., A.C. Cobra, 25.00 sec. 25.48 sec

2nd #99 M. Knights, B.A.R.C., Aston Martin, 28.05 sec, 27.65 sec

 

Brighton Speed Trials, 17 September 1966  

#152 M. Knights, Aston Martin DB4, Class 9.

 

The Bonhams car history here is a work of fiction:

 

https://www.bonhams..../24876/lot/357/

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 23 April 2021 - 04:56.

[cooper997]

Unless there was more than one Aston Martin DB4GT in Australia around 1990 that car will be the one an Aston specialist had just sold to the UK. But before the car left there was a mad scramble to measure and photograph the car by the panelbeater  that I used to annoy during those years. Let's call him 'Fred' (not real name) was one of those talented people who could do anything with a piece of metal. From flat sheet to mangled or rusty, he could create or repair anything.

 

The aim was to have him recreate the car (but keep it on the quiet). Well then Australia had "the recession we had to have" Those being then treasurer Keating's words, not mine. So things got tight. The donor DB4 was shortened, reprofiled and even painted. Then significant bills weren't being paid and 'Fred' having only a small workshop, had to keep working on paying jobs. So outside it went and my lasting memory of it is with floors full of water, just needing a few goldfish!

 

Last I was aware that recreation was with a chap who once had interests in what is now a huge audio/entertainment group spread across Oz. But if I'm correct part of its folklore is that it got stolen.

 

Stephen

 

names changed or not included for obvious reasons.

Edited by cooper997, 29 March 2019 - 05:53.

[cooper997]

From the pages of an Autosport book by Martyn Watkins 'Driving for Sport' published in May 60 it appears. Found this C Type at Firle, during a quick thumb through it.

 

 

Google brings up various auction related info. Appearing to suggest it was up until about 3 years ago in the longtime care of the Griffiths'Woodley family. But back before May 1960 who is likely to be driving this - Salmon, Lee or Sturgess? Meeting date unknown (to me)

 

Stephen

[Tim Murray]

The potted history of the car on the Andrew Tart site notes that Mike Salmon used it to set BTD at Firle at the September meetings in both 1957 and 1958:

http://www.andrewtar...jaguar-xkc-011/

Also on Rupert’s Firle wiki page

[cooper997]

Thanks Tim. I only have 2 Firle programmes and 1 set of regs.

 

For the record, in the 2 programmes Salmon is listed...

2/6/57 BARC Firle Hillclimb 

57 M Salmon Jaguar C Type 3442 - 28.58 & 28.41 (times written in)

1/6/58 BARC Firle Hillclimb 

76 M Salmon Jaguar 3442

 

So more digging or Rupert's wisdom for an answer on car 61's event date.

 

Stephen

[Rupertlt1]

C-Type FTD at Firle

Max Trimble Jaguar C-Type #59 28.67 sec Bentley D.C. 2 September 1956.

M. Salmon Jaguar C-Type 28.38 sec Bentley D.C. 8 September 1957.

P.M. Salmon Jaguar C-Type 27.48 sec Bentley D.C. 7 September 1958.

 

I have a complete 'wiki' entry available on request - I fell out with Wikipedia part way through as they employed a gatekeeper who kept censoring my stuff e.g. not allowed to mention the Le Mans disaster on ACO page. 

Working on coffee here on Van Isle - will see if I can find anything further.

 

Edit: Car turns up here:

 

https://library.revs...ARCHALL=POV 114

 

More: Was the picture taken by Guy Griffiths? Is it in his collection? Or Patrick Benjafield? (whereabouts unknown)

Does the book say?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 31 March 2019 - 13:24.

[Allen Brown]

I fell out with Wikipedia ...

 

That's something else we have in common.  I fell out with Wikipedia when somebody started cutting and pasting whole pages off ORC onto Wikipedia.  

[Allan Lupton]

I too had trouble with Wikipedia, A couple of years ago someone removed a photo that was taken in 1910 and another taken in 1920 because we hadn't got the (unknown) photographers' consents to its use. Same meddler didn't like the references we quoted because he didn't have access to them, and someone else simplified the language almost to primary school (or whatever they're called in the US) level.

[cooper997]

C-Type FTD at Firle

Max Trimble Jaguar C-Type #59 28.67 sec Bentley D.C. 2 September 1956.

M. Salmon Jaguar C-Type 28.38 sec Bentley D.C. 8 September 1957.

P.M. Salmon Jaguar C-Type 27.48 sec Bentley D.C. 7 September 1958.

 

I have a complete 'wiki' entry available on request - I fell out with Wikipedia part way through as they employed a gatekeeper who kept censoring my stuff e.g. not allowed to mention the Le Mans disaster on ACO page. 

Working on coffee here on Van Isle - will see if I can find anything further.

 

Edit: Car turns up here:

 

https://library.revs...ARCHALL=POV 114

 

More: Was the picture taken by Guy Griffiths? Is it in his collection? Or Patrick Benjafield? (whereabouts unknown)

Does the book say?

 

RGDS RLT

 

The Watkins book that the C Type photo comes from, doesn't identify the subjects. 

 

It turns out I have the appropriate Autosports with reports for the BDC Firle meetings. With Martyn Watkins credited for 1957 and Patrick Benjafield for 1958. So there is a likely clue that Watkins took his own photos and used one in his 'Driving for Sport' book. His 1957 Autosport report showing a 'sideways' Austin Healey photo taken a little further around what appears to be the same corner as the C Type book photo.

 

So unless a BDC Firle programme is forthcoming, the odds are stacking towards the Salmon C Type photo being September 1957 meeting.

 

Stephen

[Rupertlt1]

In 1967 Martyn Watkins was editor of Cars and Car Conversions magazine.

Does his photograph collection survive?

 

The Jaguar photograph was taken at the final corner on the Firle course near the finish line.

 

Salmon was a class winner at the Firle Hill Climb, 2 June 1957.

 

5 May 1957: Michael Salmon, Jaguar C-Type was entered in the B.O.C. Prescott Hill Climb.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 01 April 2019 - 04:31.

[Rupertlt1]

Received the following enquiry from Rob Bryant:

 

"I had a message from the family of A J "Jimmy" Walter who took part at original Firle in a Lancia Aurelia GT, dates unknown and with little family history. They are keen to find out more. Do you have any info about such? He doesn't appear in any of my original paper records so I guess it was in the early sixties or even fifties."

 

Can anybody help? Possibly 1957.

 

Don't forget the 5th Firle Hill Climb Revival is on Sunday, 22 September 2019.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 16 September 2019 - 13:58.

[Rupertlt1]

Belated reply to my Lancia enquiry above — A. J. "Jimmy" Walter, Lancia Aurelia GT, competed at Bodiam Hill Climb, 19 Oct 1957: 

 

Nor was it coincidence that Denis Jenkinson's hard-used Porsche

1,500 won the large closed-car class to which it had been trans-

ferred, against Monro's Bristol, Fotheringham-Parker's Austin-

Healey hard-top and Walter's Lancia Aurelia 2,500. The Lancia

tied with the Porsche on its last run but as its time had been missed,

so that it gained additional practice, and its aggregate time

averaged 35.4 sec, whereas the little Porsche clocked exactly 35 sec

each time, Jenkinson was the moral victor; the Porsche was also

faster than a Sunbeam Rapier and many of the Triumph and M.G.

MGA sports cars! We mention this to show what an excellent

chance a well-driven normal saloon has in today's club speed hill-

climbs.

W.B.

Motor Sport, December 1957, Page 718

 

S.S.A.F.A. Cup, for fastest time of 

the day in closed car classes: D.

Jenkinson (Porsche) and A. J. Walter

(Lancia 2,496 c.c.). 35 secs.

 

Closed cars over 2,001 c.c.: 1. D.

Jenkinson (Porsche). 35—placed on

best aggregate over two runs; 2. A. J.

Walter (Lancia 2,496), 35; 3. P.

Fotheringham-Parker (Healey 2,639);

36.4

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 25 October 1957

 

But did Walter race at Firle?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 19 April 2021 - 11:28.

[Rupertlt1]

The Watkins book that the C Type photo comes from, doesn't identify the subjects. 

 

It turns out I have the appropriate Autosports with reports for the BDC Firle meetings. With Martyn Watkins credited for 1957 and Patrick Benjafield for 1958. So there is a likely clue that Watkins took his own photos and used one in his 'Driving for Sport' book. His 1957 Autosport report showing a 'sideways' Austin Healey photo taken a little further around what appears to be the same corner as the C Type book photo.

 

So unless a BDC Firle programme is forthcoming, the odds are stacking towards the Salmon C Type photo being September 1957 meeting.

 

Stephen

 

This points to Mike Salmon driving POV 114, gives comprehensive car history:

 

https://blog.harnima...-jaguar-c-type/

 

Can we nail when the #61 Jaguar C-Type appeared at Firle?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 19 April 2021 - 07:23.

[Rupertlt1]

Firle Hill Climb, 2 June 1957, B.A.R.C. East Sussex/Bentley D.C., 75 entrants

The week-end finished with a speed hill climb at Firle, where a woman hiker, complete with rucksack, insisted on walking all the way down the hill, holding up the meeting, for several minutes, although an official car was sent to give her a lift. This event organised by the B.A.R.C. and Bentley Drivers Club.

G. Parker set up a new course record of 26.73, driving a Jaguar. He was the holder of the previous course record and won the award for the fastest time of the day.

Mrs Walton Jones, of Grove Cottage, Ratton Park, won the Ladies Award, driving a Ford, in 40.11 secs.

Saloon cars up to 1,300cc: K. Shaw, Abarth Fiat, 38.08.

"First car on the starting grid was Mr. P. Coleby in a smart little red Goggomobil that went buzzing up the course like an electric sewing machine, but being only a quarter of the size of most of the other cars in its class, it was not surprising that R. Shaw in an Abarth-Fiat was the class winner. A husband and wife team, Mr. and Mrs. A. Walton-Jones, coming from nearby Eastbourne, took second and third places in this event respectively driving the same Ford." **

Saloon cars over 1300cc and not exceeding 1,600cc: R. P. Heatley, Ford, 36.40.

"..E.W. Cuff-Miller, also in a Ford, taking second. Third was one of the Milton brothers, of Hastings, Dennis, in a baby Austin." ** 

Saloon cars over 2,000 cc and not exceeding 2,600 cc: E. B. Wadsworth, Healey, 34.40.

Saloon cars over 2,600 cc: J. Webb, Jensen, 33.05.

"In the class for unlimited saloons B. P. Odoni, again in a Ford, modified this time, recorded a splendid 33.44 seconds to win the event." **

Was the Jensen held to be ineligible? 

Sports cars up to 1,300 cc: F. W. Marriott, Lotus (Climax) 28.07.

"In the class for sports cars up to 1,300 cc, the crowd saw a batch of low slung futuristic Lotus (Climax) cars all tackle the hill in less than 32secs., and they saw Miss Patsy Burt in a powder blue Cooper (Climax) fairly scorch the road to record the fastest time of the day for a woman — 29.08secs. But the women's trophy went to the women recording the time nearest that of the winner of her class, and the successful lady was Mrs. Walton-Jones.

Winner of the small sports car class was F. W. Marriot, at 28.07 secs., who showed that streamlining is not everything in his upright older Lotus. E. Lewis, in another Lotus was second, and Miss Burt third." ** 

Sports cars over 1,300 cc and not over 1,600 cc: M. J. Hughes, Porsche, 31.91.

"M. J. Hughs, in a red Porsche saloon sports car was one of the surprises of the day, winning the class for sports cars up to 1600 c.c., in face of competition from some very businesslike M.G.'s. **

Sports cars over 1,600 cc and not exceeding 2,000 cc: J. R. Rudd, Frazer Nash, 28.61.

Frazer Nash's were the cars for the sports cars up to 2,000 c.c. class, for J. R. Rudd, the holder of the course record for this class, won again in this type of car, beating his old record by over a second. J. Patten in an A.C. Bristol was second, and W. E. Wilks in another Frazer Nash was third. **

Sports cars over 2,600 cc: M. Salmon, Jaguar C Type, 28.41.

The big sports cars up to 2,600 c.c. (sic) provided plenty of thrills, and D. Monro especially in a very respectable looking upright Invicta, beat several of the slick products of recent years. M. Salmon in a Jaguar "C" Type was first at 28.41secs., and E.W. Cuff-Miller scored his second success in a Largo Talbot, taking second place. **

Bentley cars, 3,501 cc to 5,OOO cc up to 10ft wheelbase: G. H. G. Burton, Bentley, 29.29.

Racing cars: R. Truscott, Cooper (SJAP), 26.82.

"Parker's experience of the course, coupled with his green bomb of a car, proved too much for the other competitors, but Ron Truscott in his Cooper-J.A.P. was only .09 of a second behind him, also breaking the former course record. F. B. Sowrey, an international record holder, almost took off at the top of the hill in his Cooper, and took third place with 27.83secs. **

In all classes, except that for Bentleys, the speed records were broken.

 

Eastbourne Gazette, Wednesday 5 June 1957/**Sussex Agricultural Express, Friday 7 June 1957

 

Gordon Parker was driving the Jaguara s/c. Rex Heatley. Edgar Wadsworth. Mike Salmon (see previous post).

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 April 2021 - 12:40.

[terry mcgrath]

This points to Mike Salmon driving POV 114, gives comprehensive car history:

 

https://blog.harnima...-jaguar-c-type/

 

Can we nail when the #61 Jaguar C-Type appeared at Firle?

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

FTD:

Max Trimble

Jaguar C-Type #59

28.67 sec

Bentley D.C.

2 September 1956

 

The Autocar, 14 September 1956, Page 371 ; Motor Sport, October 1956, Page 601, (reports 28.57 f.t.d.); C. A. N. May, Speed Hill-Climb, G.T. Foulis & Co LTD, 1962, Pages 91-92.

 

TRIMBLE BUYS

A D-TYPE

JAGUAR

THE youngest member of

the British Racing

Drivers' Club, 21-year-old

Max Trimble, of Walsall, has

bought a D-Type Jaguar from

Ecurie Ecosse—a similar model

to that in which the Scottish

team won at Le Mans this year

—and will race it in all major

British events next year.

He also hopes to go abroad to

at least one race; Spa seems to

be a logical choice, for the car

holds the lap record there. The

Tourist Trophy, if held, is also

on Trimble's list.

Began in 1954

He began racing in a Jowett

Jupiter in 1954. In 1955 he

bought an Austin-Healey, which

was modified, and with which

he was, in his own words,

"moderately successful." In

September of last year he was

with Berwyn Baxter, of Har-

borne, at Dundrod, where they

raced a 1½-litre Kieft, and

came fifth in the class.

This year the young Walsall

driver has been racing a C-type

Jaguar, also ex-Ecurie Ecosse.

Nearly every week-end he has

taken an award back to Walsall 

—a first at the national meeting

at Oulton Park, a second at

Goodwood, second in the 100-

mile race at Snetterton, second

and third at Crystal Palace, and

awards from hill climbs and

sprints.

Birmingham Daily Post, Wednesday 5 December 1956

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 21 April 2021 - 12:30.

[Rupertlt1]

Firle Hill Climb, MG Car Club, 19 June 1966

BTD: D. Harris (DMF), 24.02.

Class winners:

C. E. Westwood (Mini-Cooper, 998) 34.26

R. S. Howe (Mini-Cooper, 997) 31.57

C. P. Gower (Mini-Cooper, 998) 28.80

M. E. Mead (Ford Anglia 997) 32.08

A. Mussard (Ford Anglia 1500) 29.51

T. J. King (Morris Minor-Ford, 1500 s/c) 29.05

G. V. Coles (MG J4 747 s/c) 32.98

C. N. Ramus (Sprite 998) 29.60

G. A. Gillett (MG TB 1350 s/c) 31.33

M. J. Wharrad (MGA 1622) 29.09

R. W. Pringle (Lotus Elan 1588) 29.08

D. Rogers (Triumph Spitfire 1147) 36.46

I. Caplan (Jaguar Mk2 4200) 27.68

C. D. Weller (Lotus-Ford 997) 28.06 *

D. Harvey (Lister-Jaguar Coupe 3781) 24.83

J. A. Berry (Caravelle-Ford 997) 27.92

D. Harris (DMF 1598) 24.02 sec

 

Mrs Harvey won the Ladies' Award in the Lister Jaguar Coupe at 30.27 sec.

(What was Mrs Harvey's full name? Update: Helga Harvey.)

David Harvey seriously quick — is this the fastest front-engined car up Firle?

Answer no: 1600cc Eddie Crocker (Lotus 7) 24.36 sec 29/8/65

 

Source: Autosport

 

*Cameron Weller reports the car was a Lotus 7-B.M.C.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 April 2021 - 17:45.

[Rupertlt1]

Firle Hill Climb, 28 May 1967, B.A.R.C. South-Eastern Centre

RESULTS

BTD: David Good (2.0 BRM FF 670P V8) 22.78 sec (new course record)

Class winners:

Keith Kirby (Mini) 30.67

G. S. Pitt (Mini-Cooper) 28.17

Roy Edwards (1.3 Mini-Cooper S) 27.61 (record)

R. Sanders (1.6 Ford Anglia) 28.77 (record)

M. Saunders (Ford) 29.40

E. Morton Davies (Austin-Healey Sprite) 31.74

D. West (MG Midget) 29.51

Maurice Fallek (1,865 c.c. Lotus Elan) 26.30

Mark Litchfield (4.7 A.C. Cobra) 26.05

N. Matheson (Lotus-B.M.C.) 29.18

Mike Barker (Alton-Jaguar) 25.77

Peter Geale (Cooper) 28.97

David McDougall (Cooper B.M.C.) 26.46

Sir Nick Williamson (1.6 Brabham BT21) 24.15

 

"The biggest class, with 26 entries, was the

1301-2500 cc GT section, and Maurice Fallek

was there with the Elan, now boasting an 1865

cc motor, to defend his last year's record run

of 25.22 s. He took the class again but he

was more than 1 sec slower, and he was strongly

challenged by the Divas of S. B. Jackson and

Malcolm Knights."

Report by Graham Macbeth.

 

Source: Autosport

 

Thought to be David McDougall, Cooper T72-B.M.C. — the car seen here at Prescott in 1968 fitted with a supercharger:

 

https://www.mikehayw...ooper-austin-72

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 23 April 2021 - 06:17.

[Rupertlt1]

1949:

BENTLEY D.C. FIRLE HILL-CLIMB

The results of the speed event

September 25th were:—

1st: F. H. Howorth (4½-litre Lagonda)    31.40 sec

2nd: A. L. Pitts (4½-litre Bentley, s/c) 31.71

3rd: W. G. Smeed (4½-litre Bentley, s/c) 33.62

Motor Sport, November 1949, Page 451

 

This was the first hill climb held at Firle.

 

"Howorth's unusual-looking 4½-litre

Lagonda, with i.f.s. by transverse leaf-

spring,.."

Motor Sport, July 1949, Page 267

 

For more Howorth, including Jaguar:

 

https://www.racingsp...Howorth-GB.html

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

Belated reply to my Lancia enquiry above — A. J. "Jimmy" Walter, Lancia Aurelia GT, competed at Bodiam Hill Climb, 19 Oct 1957: 

 

Nor was it coincidence that Denis Jenkinson's hard-used Porsche

1,500 won the large closed-car class to which it had been trans-

ferred, against Monro's Bristol, Fotheringham-Parker's Austin-

Healey hard-top and Walter's Lancia Aurelia 2,500. The Lancia

tied with the Porsche on its last run but as its time had been missed,

so that it gained additional practice, and its aggregate time

averaged 35.4 sec, whereas the little Porsche clocked exactly 35 sec

each time, Jenkinson was the moral victor; the Porsche was also

faster than a Sunbeam Rapier and many of the Triumph and M.G.

MGA sports cars! We mention this to show what an excellent

chance a well-driven normal saloon has in today's club speed hill-

climbs.

W.B.

Motor Sport, December 1957, Page 718

 

S.S.A.F.A. Cup, for fastest time of 

the day in closed car classes: D.

Jenkinson (Porsche) and A. J. Walter

(Lancia 2,496 c.c.). 35 secs.

 

Closed cars over 2,001 c.c.: 1. D.

Jenkinson (Porsche). 35—placed on

best aggregate over two runs; 2. A. J.

Walter (Lancia 2,496), 35; 3. P.

Fotheringham-Parker (Healey 2,639);

36.4

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 25 October 1957

 

But did Walter race at Firle?

 

RGDS RLT

 

LANCIA

1954 LANCIA AURELIA saloon, Venetian

red with grey cloth trim. Michelin X

tyres. Excellent mechanical condition. £495.—

Johns Cross Garage, Johns Cross, Robertsbridge.

Sussex. Tel.: Robertsbridge 222.

Autosport, 3 August 1962, Page 175

 

Possibly the car of Jimmy Walter. Robertsbridge is close to Bodiam where he is known to have competed in 1957.

Looking for Firle entry lists from circa 1957.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 18 May 2021 - 19:44.

[Rupertlt1]

8 September 1957, Bentley Drivers' Club

Results

B.T.D.: M. Salmon (Jaguar XK 120), 28.38 s.

B.T.D. by a Bentley: G. H. G. Burton (4½-litre), 28.50 s.

Bentley Handicap: 1. R. P. Bradley, 26.95 s.; 2. H. P. Holden, 28.03 s.; 3. O. A. Batten, 28.05 s.

Cars up to 1,500 c.c.: 1. W. G. F. Swayne (M.G.A), 33.80 s.; 2. H. A. Appleby (Morgan), 34.34 s.; 3. D. Elwell Smith (Aston Martin), 34.59 s.

Cars, 1,501-2,600 c.c.: 1. W. E. Wilkes (Frazer-Nash), 28.77 s.; 2, Miss Betty Haig (Frazer-Nash),

30.76 s.; 3. F. M. Baker (TR3), 31.79 s.

Cars, 2,600-3,500 c.c.: 1. M. Salmon (Jaguar

XK 120), 28.38 s.; 2. G. H. G. Burton (4½

Bentley), 28.62 s.; 3. M. D. Hollis (4½ Bentley),

29.11 s.

Autosport, 13 September 1957, Pages 342, 344

 

George Burton was driving NPA 83.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 04 March 2022 - 04:51.

[dgs]

8 September 1957, Bentley Drivers' Club

Results

B.T.D.: M. Salmon (Jaguar XK 120), 28.38 s.

B.T.D. by a Bentley: G. H. G. Burton (4½-litre), 28.50 s.

Bentley Handicap: 1. R. P. Bradley, 26.95 s.; 2. H. P. Holden, 28.03 s.; 3. O. A. Batten, 28.05 s.

Cars up to 1,500 c.c.: 1. W. G. F. Swayne (M.G.A), 33.80 s.; 2. H. A. Appleby (Morgan), 34.34 s.; 3. D. Elwell Smith (Aston Martin), 34.59 s.

Cars, 1,501-2,600 c.c.: 1. W. E. Wilkes (Frazer-Nash), 28.77 s.; 2, Miss Betty Haig (Frazer-Nash),

30.76 s.; 3. F. M. Baker (TR3), 31.79 s.

Cars, 2,600-3,500 c.c.: 1. M. Salmon (Jaguar

XK 120), 28.38 s.; 2. G. H. G. Burton (4½

Bentley), 28.62 s.; 3. M. D. Hollis (4½ Bentley),

29.11 s.

Autosport, 13 September 1957, Pages 342, 344

 

George Burton was driving NPA 83.

 

RGDS RLT

Seeing the name M.Salmon (Jaguar XK120) in the results , reminded me of the day late 1980's or early 1990's when I was at a Ferrari Owners Club (members meeting) at Donington Park. The club had a  Ferrari 348 that was really only for members to have a ride in (in hope of persuading members to buy a new Ferrari). It was driven around the track by Mike Salmon, and I managed to 'blag' a ride. Three laps around the Donington circuit by a driver who had competed at Le Mans many times was a too good to miss, and something I still savour today. The difference in driving skills by  Mr Salmon and  ordinary Ferrari owners (I had quite rides in Ferrari cars over a ten year period) was like day and night. 

[cooper997]

This Paul Cummins social media post could be of interest for some Firle history and early Peter Sargent E Type related matters

 

https://www.facebook...125567115758320

 

 

Stephen