212 replies to this topic

[Rupertlt1]

Brunton Hill Climb

After Firle I am now working on Brunton Hill Climb:

1951
[Was this the first meeting?]
"The Le Mans car’s first recorded post war
motor sport event was on 29th July 1951
where Jeff [Sparrowe of Bournemouth] entered the Morgan into the
Brunton Hill Climb. Sporting the number 18,
Jeff took the under 1200cc class with a time
of 36.75 secs."

1952
Apr 6, BARC SW Centre, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c <ref>Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>

Sep, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c

1953

spring, Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre 29.17 sec

1954

spring, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec

1955
Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R

1956
Sun Apr 15
Jun 24 BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.</ref>
Sep 16 Tom Sopwith, Lotus, 24.91 sec

1957
May 12 Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
Sep 15 Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>

1958
April 13, David Good, fine
June 22
Sept 7 BARC

John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?

Advertisement for Noel Roscoe Ltd of Byfleet:
STOP PRESS
Robin Russell driving his Austin Metropolitan scientifically tuned
by us. First in the 1,500-c.c. Saloon car Class Brunton Hill Climb
September 7th, times 31.98 sec., half a sec. from record, also
driving the same car at the Brighton Speed Trials, seventh in the
1,500-c.c. Sports Car Class standing kilometre 37.88 sec. and
winning his heat crossing the finish line at over 105 m.p.h.
See: Motor Sport, October, 1958.

1959
April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
June 21
Sept 6

1960
April 10

Advertisement:
Lotus 7, Tuned M.G. ZA engine. Stripped and
overhauled last month. Class win, Brunton this
April. £550. Raynes. Tel: Windsor 1019 [8333
ref: Motor Sport, June 1960, Page 493.

autumn, David Good

1961
Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom, wet

1962
April 15
June 17

Advertisement:
FRAZER NASH, 1951, Le Mans. B.R.G. Engine
rebuilt month ago-new carbs, pistons, valves,
valve-gear. Chassis overhauled. New remote-
control gear lever, battery. Nine wheels-four
good "X"s, five Dunlop racing. Special ex-Tony
Crook hill-climb ratio fitted-spare diff., two
alternate ratios. Magnificent condition, very
fast (Shelsley 42.15, June 3rd-class win, new
record Brunton June 17th). Reason sale : change
of plans. £795. Seen Robert Patrick and Partners,
Manson Mews, Queensgate, S.W.7. Tel.: Mr.
Patrick, FREemantle 7009.
<ref>Motor Sport, July 1962, Page 581.</ref>

1963
April 21
June 16

Patsy Burt FTD about here?

1964
19 April BARC, maybe 26th?

1965
April 18
June 13

1967
Apr 16

1968
June 9

END

Edited by Rupertlt1, 01 January 2013 - 17:56.

[Rupertlt1]

1964
April 19 BARC
A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain
<ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>

1965
April 18 BARC
Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery
<ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>

"Peter Westbury's Cooper-Daimler record of 22.71 secs, set in 1962."

Edited by Rupertlt1, 01 January 2013 - 19:34.

[RS2000]

I'm still struggling with the image of a "scientifically tuned Austin Metropolitan".....

[Rupertlt1]

I'm still struggling with the image of a "scientifically tuned Austin Metropolitan".....

A Nash Metropolitan turned up in Motor Sport, December 2012, Page 122: The Lair of the Flash Nash, A cheery evening in the bar led to a challenge - what would be the daftest racer? The Nash raced in the St Mary's Trophy at the Goodwood Revival run by CCK Historic. Visit Their Website.

Ever since I've been on a mission to rehabilitate the Austin/Nash/Hudson Metropolitan. The Nash won a production car race at Edenvale, Ontario, Canada as far back as 1954. Visit Racing Sports Cars. Also we now know a class winner at Brunton in 1958. A forerunner of the MGB it was at the cutting edge of the British export drive. It can only be labelled daft by those ignorant of its illustrious history!

[simonlewisbooks]

Robin Russell - he of the Metropolitan.... I'm assuming he wasn't same Robin Russell who became Marquis of Tavistock at Woburn Abbey?

[Charles Helps]

1956 - from the programme notes of the Sunday, 16th September meeting organised by the BARC South Western Centre:

A strong contender for the honour of making the fastest climb of the day is Tommy Sopwith, who has already achieved this distinction twice at Brunton this year. In April, driving an 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, he put up a time of 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]

The programme continues: At the June meeting, which was an Inter-Club-Team event, the tables were turned somewhat, as a closed car for the first time made fastest climb of the day, when Tommy Sopwith recorded a time of 25.92 secs. in his 300 SL Mercedes-Benz, thus setting a new closed car record....

The latter confirms Rupert's entry from The Motor Year Book 1957 in the original post.

[cdrewett]

Brunton Hill Climb



1962
April 15
June 17

Advertisement:
FRAZER NASH, 1951, Le Mans. B.R.G. Engine
rebuilt month ago-new carbs, pistons, valves,
valve-gear. Chassis overhauled. New remote-
control gear lever, battery. Nine wheels-four
good "X"s, five Dunlop racing. Special ex-Tony
Crook hill-climb ratio fitted-spare diff., two
alternate ratios. Magnificent condition, very
fast (Shelsley 42.15, June 3rd-class win, new
record Brunton June 17th). Reason sale : change
of plans. £795. Seen Robert Patrick and Partners,
Manson Mews, Queensgate, S.W.7. Tel.: Mr.
Patrick, FREemantle 7009.
<ref>Motor Sport, July 1962, Page 581.</ref>

1963
April 21
June 16

Patsy Burt FTD about here?

1964
19 April BARC, maybe 26th?

My first ever hillclimb was 1962 June Brunton in that actual Frazer Nash. It was GUT497, belonging to my brother Richard who kindly let me share it at Brunton. Incidentally that advertisement brought no response and at the end of the season he offered it to me for £325. Instead, my brother-in-law and I bought a 3 year old Lotus 18 FJ, and April 1963 Brunton was our first event. I got 2nd in class and still have the mini shield I received as a prize. I've just found the results sheet which shows Peter Westbury in the Felday Daimler getting FTD in 29.73. If you want a photocopy pm me an address.
Chris

Edited by cdrewett, 02 January 2013 - 18:35.

[Rupertlt1]

My first ever hillclimb was 1962 June Brunton in that actual Frazer Nash. It was GUT497, belonging to my brother Richard who kindly let me share it at Brunton. Incidentally that advertisement brought no response and at the end of the season he offered it to me for £325. Instead, my brother-in-law and I bought a 3 year old Lotus 18 FJ, and April 1963 Brunton was our first event. I got 2nd in class and still have the mini shield I received as a prize. I've just found the results sheet which shows Peter Westbury in the Felday Daimler getting FTD in 29.73. If you want a photocopy pm me an address.
Chris

Chris, What a great yarn! I've pm-ed you. Keep it rolling everybody and we'll get a comprehensive Brunton history, hopefully quicker than it took for Firle (with its cancellation mystery).

Edited by Rupertlt1, 02 January 2013 - 20:44.

[cdrewett]

Chris, What a great yarn! I've pm-ed you. Keep it rolling everybody and we'll get a comprehensive Brunton history, hopefully quicker than it took for Firle (with its cancellation mystery).

OK Rupert, I'll mail a copy tomorrow
Chris

[tsrwright]

This photo of David Good was scanned and given to me by Duncan Rabagliati. Is it Brunton as has been suggested to me and does anyone have date, copyright owner etc?



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Stephen W]

I've posted some scans of Brunton events that appeared in Autosport on the TNF group on Facebook.

[Rupertlt1]

I've posted some scans of Brunton events that appeared in Autosport on the TNF group on Facebook.

Can you give a URL - I can't find it - Facebook search is hopeless!

We now have:

Brunton Hill Climb

1951
[Was this the first meeting?]
29th July 1951

1952
Apr 6, BARC SW Centre, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c <ref>Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>

Sep [7?] W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c

1953
spring, Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre 29.17 sec

1954
[April?]
spring, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec

1955
Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R

1956
Sun Apr 15 Tommy Sopwith, 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]
Jun 24 BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>Brunton Hill Climb programme, Sunday, 16th September 1956; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.</ref>
Sep 16 Tom Sopwith, Lotus-Climax, 24.91 sec

1957
May 12 Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
Sep 15 Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>

1958
April 13, David Good, fine
June 22
Sept 7 BARC

John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?

1959
April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
June 21
Sept 6

1960
April 10

autumn, David Good

1961
June 4, BARC
Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom, wet

1962
April 15
June 17
Sept

"Peter Westbury's Cooper-Daimler record of 22.71 secs, set in 1962."

1963
April 21 Peter Westbury, Felday Daimler FTD in 29.73. <ref>Results sheet.</ref>
June 16

Patsy Burt FTD about here?

1964
April 19 BARC, A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain <ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>

1965
April 18 BARC, Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery <ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>

June 13

1966?

1967
Apr 16

1968
June 9

END

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 10 August 2013 - 01:31.

[Stephen W]

Can you give a URL - I can't find it - Facebook search is hopeless!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/101291917715/?fref=ts

You just need to type in TNF in the "Search for people, places and things" box at the top of the page. this will show the link to the group & then just click on it; simples.

[Rupertlt1]

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/101291917715/?fref=ts

You just need to type in TNF in the "Search for people, places and things" box at the top of the page. this will show the link to the group & then just click on it; simples.

Steve, This is a closed group - Can't you put them in Motor Racing where the rest of us can see them!

[Rupertlt1]

We now have:

Brunton Hill Climb

1951
[Was this the first meeting? Maybe 1949?]
29th July 1951

1952
Apr 6, BARC SW Centre, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c <ref>Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>
Sep [7?] W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c

1953
spring, Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre 29.17 sec

1954
[April?]
spring, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec

1955
Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R

1956
Sun Apr 15 Tommy Sopwith, 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]
Jun 24 BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>Brunton Hill Climb programme, Sunday, 16th September 1956; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.</ref>
Sep 16 Tom Sopwith, Lotus-Climax, 24.91 sec

1957
May 12 Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
Sep 15 Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>

1958
April 13, David Good, fine
June 22
Sept 7 BARC

John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?

1959
April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
June 21
Sept 6

1960
April 10
autumn, David Good

1961
June 4, BARC
Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom, wet

1962
April 15
June 17
Sept

"Peter Westbury's Cooper-Daimler record of 22.71 secs, set in 1962."

1963
April 21 Peter Westbury, Felday Daimler FTD in 29.73. <ref>Results sheet.</ref>
June 16
Patsy Burt FTD about here?

1964
April 19 BARC, A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain <ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>

1965
April 18 BARC, Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery <ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>
June 13

1966?

1967
Apr 16

1968
June 9

END

[pete53]

June 13th 1965 BARC SW Centre

BTD T.Smith Cooper JAP 1100 25.38 Autosport June 18th Vol.30 No.5 pg.968

June 16th 1963 BARC SW Centre

BTD P.Westbury (Felday Daimler) 25.20 Autosport June 28th Vol.26 No.26 Pg.924

Edited by pete53, 11 August 2013 - 15:44.

[Rupertlt1]

June 13th 1965 BARC SW Centre

BTD T.Smith Cooper JAP 1100 25.38 Autosport June 18th Vol.30 No.5 pg.968

June 16th 1963 BARC SW Centre

BTD P.Westbury (Felday Daimler) 25.20 Autosport June 28th Vol.26 No.26 Pg.924

Many thanks. Just found date of Sept 6th, 1953. RGDS RLT

[Jean L]

I have found a date in my files: 1960 sept 18.

[fuzzi]

From my notes; the first meeting was 29 July 1952. The hill was referred to as Ludgershall for the first two seasons.

It was used into the 1970s, but references to the events had become sparse. A number of competitors used the early season event as a shake down for the season and on the first weekend of April 1970 David Good in his "new F5,000 McLaren M10B" set btd with 23.64sec beating Sir Nick Williamson (also in a McLaren M10 but an A/B) by 0.29sec.

I believe that Brunton continued in use well after Gurston Down opened in 1967. The BARC moved to Gurston only from 1974.

Edited by fuzzi, 12 August 2013 - 16:58.

[Rupertlt1]

We now have: Brunton Hill Climb
 
1951
 29th July 1951
 [Was this the first meeting? Maybe 1949?]
 
 1952
 Apr 6, BARC SW Centre, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c <ref>Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>
 Sep [7?] W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c
 
 1953
 spring, Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre, 29.17 sec
 Sept 6
 
 1954
 [April?]
 spring, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec
 
1955
 Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
 Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R
 
 1956
 Sun Apr 15 Tommy Sopwith, 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]
 Jun 24 BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>Brunton Hill Climb programme, Sunday, 16th September 1956; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page   203.</ref>
 Sep 16 Tom Sopwith, Lotus-Climax, 24.91 sec
 
 1957
 May 12 Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
 Sep 15 Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>
 
 1958
 April 13, David Good, fine
 June 22,
 Sept 7, BARC
 John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?
 
 1959
 April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
 June 21
 Sept 6
 
 1960
 April 10
 autumn [Sept 18?], David Good
 
 1961
 June 4, BARC
 Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom, wet
 
 1962
 April 15
 June 17
 Sept
 "Peter Westbury's Cooper-Daimler record of 22.71 secs, set in 1962."
 
 1963
 April 21 Peter Westbury, Felday Daimler FTD in 29.73. <ref>Results sheet.</ref>
 June 16, BARC SW Centre, P.Westbury (Felday Daimler) 25.20 <ref>Autosport June 28th Vol.26 No.26 Pg.924</ref>
 Patsy Burt FTD about here?
 
 1964
 April 19, BARC, A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain <ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>
 June 13,
 Sept 5,
 
 1965
 April 18 BARC, Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery <ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>
 June 13, BARC SW Centre, BTD T.Smith Cooper JAP 1100 25.38 <ref>Autosport June 18th Vol.30 No.5 Page 968.</ref>
 Sept 5
 
 1966?
 
 1967
 Apr 16
 
 1968
 June 9

1969?
 
 1970
 It was used into the 1970s, but references to the events had become sparse. A number of competitors used the early season event as a shake down for the season and on the first weekend of April 1970 David Good in his "new F5,000 McLaren  M10B" set btd with 23.64sec beating Sir Nick Williamson (also in a McLaren M10 but an A/B) by 0.29sec.
 
 END

Edited by Rupertlt1, 26 August 2013 - 11:41.

[Rupertlt1]

Motor Racing, July 1961, Page 235
BRUNTON JUNE 4
Run by the South Western centre of the
BARC, Brunton is a steep uncomplicated
run with a friendly atmosphere. The June 4
meeting provided several surprises, the first
being the appearance of Arthur Owen in the
2.2-litre Cooper, who gained ftd but was
well outside the hill record. The second
surprise was Mr. Camp, with his most inter-
esting Cooper-based sports car. It has a
Ford 100E motor with 9 to 1 compression,
supercharged at 12 pounds psi, with a Will-
ment overhead-inlet conversion, all this
bolted into the back of a Mk IV chassis
widened into a two-seater with cycle-type
wings. An original and extremely quick
device, so quick that he took two seconds
off Patsy Burt's class record set up in the
RSK Porsche. Certainly a car to watch in
future on the hills.

[This along with Arthur Owen's win at Firle has to be one of the most obscure wins for a Cooper F1 car. Mr Camp's Cooper-derived sports car is also intriguing and will account for another Cooper Mk IV chassis number. RGDS RLT]

Edited by Rupertlt1, 08 September 2013 - 15:26.

[Rupertlt1]

Cripps Special:
"There was the Cripps Special with Marshall-blown 1936 Chrysler engine
in a 1933 Chrysler chassis with Ford back-end and 700-18 back tyres."

[David McKinney]

This along with Arthur Owen's win at Firle has to be one of the most obscure wins for a Cooper F1 car

But it wasn't an F1 car...

If you mean an ex-F1 Cooper there are lots of other examples, all over the world

[Rupertlt1]

I mean this is a long lost example of a Cooper F1 car winning an obscure event in Wiltshire. (Of course there are many other examples.) Is this not the car that Arthur Owen raced at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix in 1960?

[David McKinney]

You're missing my point

Formula 1 in 1961 was for 1500cc cars. Owen's was not

I can give you examples of ex-F1 cars winning more obscure events than the ones you mention, eg in Australia, New Zealand, southern Africa, USA

[Rupertlt1]

Point taken.
We can debate obscurity until the cows come home - tracing the Firle and Brunton results for Arthur Owen has taken a great deal of effort - the Firle result finally coming from the BARC archives at Thruxton and the Brunton result from IMRRC in Watkins Glen, New York. This history has never been compiled before and with Brunton we still have a long way to go (although I already have much still to post here). The specialist press (Autosport, Motor Sport, Motoring News) only had patchy coverage of these events, so forgive me if I celebrate a bit when something turns up.
Try adding to Bodiam here: http://rupert-lloyd-...diam Hill Climb
RGDS RLT

[David McKinney]

I certainly don't decry your efforts in researching these events, and you can be justifiably pleased with your achievements

[pete53]

1964 June 13   BTD J.A.White (Petty JAP)  26.59    Autosport June 19th pg 905  Vol 28 No 25

 

1965 Sept 5    BTD R.Payne (Hillman Imp)  no time given   Autosport Sept 17th Pg 471  Vol 31 No 12

[Rupertlt1]

We now have:
Brunton Hill Climb

1951
24 June [Was this the first meeting?] <ref>Autosport, June 22, 1951, Page 796.</ref>
29 July
14th October <ref>Autosport, October 12, 1951, Page 472.</ref>
[These three events referred to as the Ludgershall Hill Climb]

1952
Apr 6, BARC SW Centre, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c <ref>Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>
Sep 7, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c, 27.03 sec <ref>Autosport, September 19, 1952, Page 375.</ref>

1953
spring, Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre, 29.17 sec
Sept 6

1954
April 11, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec R <ref>Motor Racing, June 1954, Page 203</ref>

1955
Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R

1956
Sun Apr 15 Tommy Sopwith, 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]
Jun 24 BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>Brunton Hill Climb programme, Sunday, 16th September 1956; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.</ref>
Sep 16 Tom Sopwith, Lotus-Climax, 24.91 sec

1957
May 12 Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
Sep 15 Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>

1958
April 13, David Good, Cooper 1,100 c.c. 24.11 sec, fine
June 22,
Sept 7, BARC
John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?

1959
April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
June 21
Sept 6

1960
April 10
autumn [Sept 18?], David Good

1961
June 4, BARC
Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom, wet

1962
April 15
June 17
Sept
"Peter Westbury's Cooper-Daimler record of 22.71 secs, set in 1962."

1963
April 21 Peter Westbury, Felday Daimler FTD in 29.73. <ref>Results sheet.</ref>
June 16, BARC SW Centre, P.Westbury (Felday Daimler) 25.20 <ref>Autosport June 28th Vol.26 No.26 Pg.924</ref>
Patsy Burt FTD about here?

1964
April 19, BARC, A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain <ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>
May 27
June 13, J.A.White (Petty JAP) 26.59 <ref>Autosport June 19th pg 905 Vol 28 No 25</ref>
Sept 5,

1965
April 18 BARC, Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery <ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>
June 13, BARC SW Centre, T.Smith, Cooper JAP 1100, 25.38 <ref>Autosport June 18th Vol.30 No.5 Page 968.</ref>
Sept 5, R.Payne (Hillman Imp) no time given <ref>Autosport Sept 17th Pg 471 Vol 31 No 12</ref>

1966?

1967
Apr 16

1968
June 9

1969?

1970
It was used into the 1970s, but references to the events had become sparse. A number of competitors used the early season event as a shake down for the season and on the first weekend of April 1970 David Good in his "new F5,000 McLaren M10B" set btd with 23.64sec beating Sir Nick Williamson (also in a McLaren M10 but an A/B) by 0.29sec.

END

[RogerFrench]

I remember going to the September 1957 meeting with my father in Simplicity. Ted Lewis was there with the Climax-engined, de-Dion axled Lotus Seven that was more like an Eleven without full-width bodywork.

[pete53]

3 April 1966   BARC    FTD T.Elton (Lotus 22 1600) 26.81      Autosport April 8th pg 554     Vol 32  No 14

 

12 June 1966  BARC  FTD D.Harris (DMF) 25.27    Autosport June 24th  pg 1078  Vol 32  No 25

[Rupertlt1]

We now have:
Brunton Hill Climb
 
1951
24 June [Was this the first meeting?] <ref>Autosport, June 22, 1951, Page 796.</ref>
29 July
14th October <ref>Autosport, October 12, 1951, Page 472.</ref>
[These three events referred to as the Ludgershall Hill Climb]
 
1952
Apr 6, BARC SW Centre, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c <ref>Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>
Sep 7, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c, 27.03 sec <ref>Autosport, September 19, 1952, Page 375.</ref>
 
1953
spring, Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre, 29.17 sec
Sept 6
 
1954
April 11, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec R <ref>Motor Racing, June 1954, Page 203</ref>
 
1955
Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R
 
1956
Sun Apr 15 Tommy Sopwith, 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]
Jun 24 BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>Brunton Hill Climb programme, Sunday, 16th September 1956; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.</ref>
Sep 16 Tom Sopwith, Lotus-Climax, 24.91 sec
 
1957
May 12 Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
Sep 15 Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>
 
1958
April 13, David Good, Cooper 1,100 c.c. 24.11 sec, fine
June 22,
Sept 7, BARC
John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?
 
1959
April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
June 21
Sept 6, D.R. Good, Cooper, 23.85 sec, New Course Record
 
1960
April 10
autumn [Sept 18?], David Good
 
1961
June 4, BARC
Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom, wet
 
1962
April 15
June 17
Sept
"Peter Westbury's Cooper-Daimler record of 22.71 secs, set in 1962."
 
1963
April 21 Peter Westbury, Felday Daimler FTD in 29.73. <ref>Results sheet.</ref>
June 16, BARC SW Centre, P.Westbury (Felday Daimler) 25.20 <ref>Autosport June 28th Vol.26 No.26 Pg.924</ref>
Patsy Burt FTD about here?
 
1964
April 19, BARC, A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain <ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>
May 27
June 13, J.A.White (Petty JAP) 26.59 <ref>Autosport June 19th pg 905 Vol 28 No 25</ref>
Sept 5,
 
1965
April 18 BARC, Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery <ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>
June 13, BARC SW Centre, T.Smith, Cooper JAP 1100, 25.38 <ref>Autosport June 18th Vol.30 No.5 Page 968.</ref>
Sept 5, R.Payne (Hillman Imp) no time given <ref>Autosport Sept 17th Pg 471 Vol 31 No 12</ref>
 
1966
April 3, BARC, T.Elton (Lotus 22 1600) 26.81 <ref>Autosport April 8th pg 554, Vol 32  No 14</ref>
June 12, BARC, D.Harris (DMF) 25.27    <ref>Autosport June 24th  pg 1078  Vol 32  No 25</ref>

1967
Apr 16
 
1968
June 9
 
1969?
 
1970
It was used into the 1970s, but references to the events had become sparse. A number of competitors used the early season event as a shake down for the season and on the first weekend of April 1970 David Good in his "new F5,000 McLaren M10B" set btd with 23.64sec beating Sir Nick Williamson (also in a McLaren M10 but an A/B) by 0.29sec.
 
END

Edited by Rupertlt1, 11 October 2013 - 11:54.

[P.Dron]

A Nash Metropolitan turned up in Motor Sport, December 2012, Page 122: The Lair of the Flash Nash, A cheery evening in the bar led to a challenge - what would be the daftest racer? The Nash raced in the St Mary's Trophy at the Goodwood Revival run by CCK Historic. Visit Their Website.

Ever since I've been on a mission to rehabilitate the Austin/Nash/Hudson Metropolitan. The Nash won a production car race at Edenvale, Ontario, Canada as far back as 1954. Visit Racing Sports Cars. Also we now know a class winner at Brunton in 1958. A forerunner of the MGB it was at the cutting edge of the British export drive. It can only be labelled daft by those ignorant of its illustrious history!

 

I thought rust was at the cutting edge of the British export drive. Not that that necessarily contradicts your remarks.

[Rupertlt1]

What a pity that self-denigrating attitudes persist in the UK. Here in Canada and across the border in the USA the love of British cars goes on. The classic car owners are keeping the show on the road. The M.G. is worshipped with religious fervour. What folly to phase out the M.G. in favour of Triumph. (The old guys are still lamenting the lack of a 'new' MGB with 'O' series motor.)
By the way the Nash was a class winner at Holland Hill Climb, NY, in 1954.

[P.Dron]

What folly to phase out the M.G. in favour of Triumph.

 

Few people would disagree with that. MG was ritually sacrificed due to a combination of weak management and political expediency. But in the wider picture, the policy of BMC/British Leyland/etc was to shift cars out of showrooms as fast as possible, never mind the quality, just give us the cheque. In several cases, the cars became more or less acceptable towards the end of their production runs, by which time it was too late. You have perhaps never sampled an Allegro, a Maestro, a Montego, a Maxi (good concept, but...), to name but a few.

[Rupertlt1]

I lived in Birmingham in the eighties, near "The Austin" at Longbridge. Drove Mini, 1100, 1300, Allegro etc. The Allegro was a turkey: drank oil, paint faded. I know the story back to front. The Militant Tendency ran the show. Not the least of reasons for departing.
That was then, this is now. The cars sold in North America weren't so awful, as so many of them have survived with careful owners. The marques are cherished here and folk are puzzled by Brits putting themselves down.

[RS2000]

People used to splutter with laughter when I mentioned the British Embassy in Washington DC was running 3 Marinas when I was there late 70s. Actually they were probably still a technical step ahead of a lot of contemporary US iron...

On topic, a current hillclimber too young to have known of Bruton visited (a farm?) there to service a fork lift truck 2 or 3 years ago and recognised signs of a track (curbs etc). Apparently there are a number of photos in the buildings there.

Edited by RS2000, 11 October 2013 - 22:06.

[Rupertlt1]

BARC, April 13, 1958 described as "17th Brunton Hill Climb."

[Rupertlt1]

We now have:
Brunton Hill Climb
 
1951
24 June [Was this the first meeting?] <ref>Autosport, June 22, 1951, Page 796.</ref>
29 July
14th October <ref>Autosport, October 12, 1951, Page 472.</ref>
[These three events referred to as the Ludgershall Hill Climb]
 
1952
Apr 6, BARC SW Centre, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c <ref>Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>
Sep 7, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c, 27.03 sec <ref>Autosport, September 19, 1952, Page 375.</ref>
 
1953
spring [April 12?], Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre, 29.17 sec
Sept 6,
 
1954
April 11, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec R <ref>Motor Racing, June 1954, Page 203</ref>
Sep 5,
 
1955
Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R
 
1956
Sun Apr 15, Tommy Sopwith, 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]
Jun 24, BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>Brunton Hill Climb programme, Sunday, 16th September 1956; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.</ref>
Sep 16, Tom Sopwith, Lotus-Climax, 24.91 sec
 
1957
May 12, G.H. Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
June 23, A.F. Rivers Fletcher, Cooper 1,000, 23.88 sec, New Course Record (car was pale blue) <ref> C.A.N. May, Speed Hill-Climb, Page 100.</ref>
Sep 15, Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>
 
1958
April 13, David Good, Cooper 1,100 c.c. 24.11 sec, fine.
June 22,"B.A.R.C. (S.W. Centre).- Twenty-three
teams each of three cars competed in the
Third Brunton inter-club team hill climb on
22 June, in bad weather conditions. The
results were as follows:-
1. B.A.R.C. (S.E. Centre) team-Morris (F.W.
Marriot), Austin (D.R. Milton) and M.G.
(W.G.F. Swayne), 523 marks lost; 2. B.A.R.C.
(S.W. Centre) Ladies' team-Riley/A.C. (Mrs.
S.L. Park), Renault Dauphine (Mrs E.M.P.
Havard) and Renault Dauphine (Mrs J Fraser),
598; North Cornwall M.C. team-Dellow (J.T.
Skinner), Morris (W.A. Cleave) and Jaguar
(W.G.A. Penhale), 1,048.
Sept 7, BARC
John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?
 
1959
April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
June 21,
Track extended here:
Sept 6, D.R. Good, Cooper, 23.85 sec, New Course Record
 
1960
April 10
autumn [Sept 18?], David Good
 
1961
June 4, BARC, Arthur Owen, Cooper 2.2-litre,
Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom FJ, 30.77 sec, wet
 
1962
April 15, Wally Cuff, Cooper-J.A.P. 1,100 c.c., 27.21 sec
June 17, Eric Willmott, Elva FJ, 25.42 sec (car painted red)
Sept 16, Peter Westbury, Cooper F2-Daimler, 22.71 sec, Record
 
1963
April 21 Peter Westbury, Felday Daimler, 29.73. <ref>Results sheet.</ref>
June 16, BARC SW Centre, P.Westbury (Felday Daimler) 25.20 <ref>Autosport June 28th Vol.26 No.26 Pg.924</ref>
September 13, Patsy Burt, Cooper-Climax
 
1964
April 19, BARC, A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain <ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>
June 13, J.A.White (Petty JAP) 26.59 <ref>Autosport June 19th pg 905 Vol 28 No 25</ref>
September ?, Patsy Burt, Cooper-Climax
 
1965
April 18 BARC, Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery <ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>
June 13, BARC SW Centre, T. Smith, Cooper JAP 1100, 25.38 <ref>Autosport June 18th Vol.30 No.5 Page 968.</ref>
Sept 5, R. Payne (Hillman Imp) no time given <ref>Autosport Sept 17th Pg 471 Vol 31 No 12</ref>
 
1966
April 3, BARC, T.Elton (Lotus 22 1600) 26.81 sec <ref>Autosport April 8th pg 554, Vol 32  No 14</ref>
June 12, BARC, D.Harris (DMF) 25.27 sec <ref>Autosport June 24th  pg 1078  Vol 32  No 25</ref>

1967
Apr 16
June 11
 
1968
June 9
 
1969?
 
1970
April 5, It was used into the 1970s, but references to the events had become sparse. A number of competitors used the early season event as a shake down for the season and on the first weekend of April 1970 David Good in his "new F5,000 McLaren M10B" set btd with 23.64sec beating Sir Nick Williamson (also in a McLaren M10 but an A/B) by 0.29sec.
June 7,
September
 
END

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 October 2013 - 17:53.

[RAP]

I can confirm  date of 18 Sept 60

Additional dates

19 June 60 BTD David Good Cooper JAP 25.41  (Autosport 1 July 60)

9 Arpil 61  BTD David Good Cooper JAP (time not known)

13 Sept 70

[Rupertlt1]

We now have:
Brunton Hill Climb

1951
[Was this the first meeting?]
24 June <ref>Autosport, June 22, 1951, Page 796.</ref>
29 July
14th October <ref>Autosport, October 12, 1951, Page 472.</ref>
[These three events referred to as the Ludgershall Hill Climb]

1952
Apr 6, BARC SW Centre, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c <ref>Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>
Sep 7, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c, 27.03 sec <ref>Autosport, September 19, 1952, Page 375.</ref>

1953
spring [April 12?], Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre, 29.17 sec
Sept 6,

1954
April 11, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec R <ref>Motor Racing, June 1954, Page 203</ref>
Sep 5,

1955
Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R

1956
Sun Apr 15, Tommy Sopwith, 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]
Jun 24, BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>Brunton Hill Climb programme, Sunday, 16th September 1956; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.</ref>
Sep 16, Tom Sopwith, Lotus-Climax, 24.91 sec

1957
May 12, G.H. Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
June 23, A.F. Rivers Fletcher, Cooper 1,000, 23.88 sec, New Course Record (car was pale blue) <ref> C.A.N. May, Speed Hill-Climb, Page 100.</ref>
Sep 15, Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>

1958
April 13, David Good, Cooper 1,100 c.c. 24.11 sec, fine.
June 22,"B.A.R.C. (S.W. Centre).- Twenty-three
teams each of three cars competed in the
Third Brunton inter-club team hill climb on
22 June, in bad weather conditions. The
results were as follows:-
1. B.A.R.C. (S.E. Centre) team-Morris (F.W.
Marriot), Austin (D.R. Milton) and M.G.
(W.G.F. Swayne), 523 marks lost; 2. B.A.R.C.
(S.W. Centre) Ladies' team-Riley/A.C. (Mrs.
S.L. Park), Renault Dauphine (Mrs E.M.P.
Havard) and Renault Dauphine (Mrs J Fraser),
598; North Cornwall M.C. team-Dellow (J.T.
Skinner), Morris (W.A. Cleave) and Jaguar
(W.G.A. Penhale), 1,048.
Sept 7, BARC
John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?

1959
April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
June 21,
Track extended here:
Sept 6, D.R. Good, Cooper, 23.85 sec, New Course Record

1960
April 10
June 19, David Good Cooper JAP 25.41 (Autosport 1 July 60)
Sept 18, David Good

1961
April 9, David Good Cooper JAP (time not known)
June 4, BARC, Arthur Owen, Cooper 2.2-litre,
Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom FJ, 30.77 sec, wet

1962
April 15, Wally Cuff, Cooper-J.A.P. 1,100 c.c., 27.21 sec
June 17, Eric Willmott, Elva FJ, 25.42 sec (car painted red)
Sept 16, Peter Westbury, Cooper F2-Daimler, 22.71 sec, Record

1963
April 21 Peter Westbury, Felday Daimler, 29.73. <ref>Results sheet.</ref>
June 16, BARC SW Centre, P.Westbury (Felday Daimler) 25.20 <ref>Autosport June 28th Vol.26 No.26 Pg.924</ref>
September 13, Patsy Burt, Cooper-Climax

1964
April 19, BARC, A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain <ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>
June 13, J.A.White, Petty-JAP, 26.59 <ref>Autosport June 19th pg 905 Vol 28 No 25</ref>
September ?, Patsy Burt, Cooper-Climax

1965
April 18 BARC, Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery <ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>
June 13, BARC SW Centre, T. Smith, Cooper JAP 1100, 25.38 <ref>Autosport June 18th Vol.30 No.5 Page 968.</ref>
Sept 5, R. Payne (Hillman Imp) no time given <ref>Autosport Sept 17th Pg 471 Vol 31 No 12</ref>

1966
April 3, BARC, T.Elton (Lotus 22 1600) 26.81 sec <ref>Autosport April 8th pg 554, Vol 32 No 14</ref>
June 12, BARC, D.Harris (DMF) 25.27 sec <ref>Autosport June 24th pg 1078 Vol 32 No 25</ref>

1967
Apr 16
June 11

1968
June 9

1969?

1970
April 5, It was used into the 1970s, but references to the events had become sparse. A number of competitors used the early season event as a shake down for the season and on the first weekend of April 1970 David Good in his "new F5,000 McLaren M10B" set btd with 23.64sec beating Sir Nick Williamson (also in a McLaren M10 but an A/B) by 0.29sec.
June 7,
September 13
[Was this the last meeting?]

END

[Rupertlt1]

Simon Taylor says:
"I suggest you do some research into an American or Canadian called L. V. Rainwater, who had a bob-tail Cooper-Climax sports-racer. He was in England around 1957, possibly as a UK-based US serviceman, and brought the Cooper to Brunton."
[I think the car was painted blue and white, US national colours, and may have been shared with Tommy Sopwith, FTD on Sep 15, 1957.]

[David McKinney]

Lupton Venzey Rainwater III (I think). In the Coca-Cola bottling business in Pensacola at the time. Born 1921 so unlikely to be still with us

[Rupertlt1]

1954:
British Automobile Racing Club S.W. - Sep 5
Brunton hill-climb
Brunton Farm,
Collingbourne Kingston,
near Marlborough,
Admission free,
cars 2s, motorcycles 1s
[I think events held on Sunday could not charge admission at that time, but could charge for parking.]
RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

[From the Gurston History & Archive: Part 2. By Graham Masters. Copyright acknowledged.]

50th BRUNTON HILLCLIMB

In order to celebrate the occasion John Surtees was to have made a demonstration run in his Formula 5000 Lola, but unfortunately the car was not available so we had to watch him make a very rapid run in his road car instead. Exciting stuff.

By far the most exciting dice of the day was for FTD. After the first timed runs, Sir Nicholas Williamson in his Brabham BT21c just had the edge over Ian Swift. Ian, driving his own single seater special was able to turn the tables on the second runs, streaking up in just 35.54 seconds, only 0.04 secs quicker than Sir Nick.

Unfortunately the rest of the eighty five entry was not as star-studded as it could have been, the majority of the big names having travelled up to Yorkshire. However, Ashley Cleave, Vic Hood and Donald Munro were competing who were present at the early meetings. Also here were David Good snaking up in his Chevron and Richard Brown in the Ex Jonty Williamson Felday 6 which appears as twitchy as ever, and Tom Elton with his Lotus.

Michael Ware brought the Montagu Motor Museum Prince Henry Vauxhall out for an airing and Brian Haslam drove the first Morgan Plus 8 to be seen on the hills.

As usual the saloons were out in force with John Francis having an easy win in his Mini Cooper S.

And so ended a very successful 50th meeting, enjoyed by competitors and spectators alike.

[Notes: We need a date for the above meeting, Apr/May 1969? I don't think there were events prior to 1951, and certainly not after 1970, unless anyone can produce the evidence? We are not far off finding the dates for events 1-50.]

[Rupertlt1]

Double checking I've found a conflict in 1952. This from the web:

Healey Silverstone, Chassis #D32, driver Denys Sessions:

1952 6th April: 1st in class, Fastest time of day in rain

1952 7th Sept: 2nd Fastest time of day 27.94secs

1953 7th Sept (6th?) FTD 27.10secs (record 27.05)

C.A.N. May, Speed Hill-Climb, Page 38: "There were two main meetings at Brunton in 1952 at both of which FTD was made by W.L. Cripps in his supercharged 5¼-litre Chrysler-engined Special."

This raises the possibility of a third meeting? The report by Bill Boddy in Motor Sport for 6th April 1952 gives it to Denys Sessions, but laments the lack of official results.

Edited by Rupertlt1, 10 November 2013 - 17:48.

[Rupertlt1]

The Motor, May 7, 1952, Page 482.
B.A.R.C. (S.W. Centre).- Hill Climb, Brunton, April 6, 1952.
Class winners:
J. Sparrowe (1100 Morgan), 34.9 sec
N. Freedman (Jowett), 36.8
I. Hammond (H.R.G.), 35.3
D. Sessions (Healey), 30.0
G. Langdon (Sunbeam-Talbot), 38.3
A. Wood (Jaguar), 31.5
M. Potter-Moore (Jaguar), 35.5
W. Cripps (Cripps Spl.), 31.6

[Note see previous post above. I cannot find a third event in 1952. So Bill Boddy was right and C.A.N. May, looking back, was wrong?]

[Rupertlt1]

We now have:
Brunton Hill Climb

1951
[Was this the first meeting?]
24 June <ref>Autosport, June 22, 1951, Page 796.</ref>
29 July
14th October <ref>Autosport, October 12, 1951, Page 472.</ref>
[These three events referred to as the Ludgershall Hill Climb]

1952
Apr 6, Denys Sessions, Healey Silverstone, 30.0 sec <ref>The Motor, May 7, 1952, Page 482; Motor Sport, May 1952, Page 220.</ref>
Sep 7, W.L. Cripps, Chrysler special 5¼-litre s/c, 27.03 sec <ref>Autosport, September 19, 1952, Page 375.</ref>

1953
spring [April 12?], Chris Threlfall, Tojeiro-MG special 1½-litre, 29.17 sec
Sept 6, Denys Sessions, Healey Silverstone, 27.1 sec

1954
April 11, Maurice Wick, (Allard J2 5,420 cc Cadillac-engined?) 25.19 sec R <ref>Motor Racing, June 1954, Page 203</ref>
Sep 5,

1955
Apr 3, Michael Burn, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica, 28.06 sec <ref>Motor Sport, May 1955, Page 259.</ref>
Sept 18, Gordon Parker, Jaguara s/c, 24.56 sec R

1956
Sun Apr 15, Tommy Sopwith, 1100 c.c. Cooper Climax, 26.26 secs., when the surface of the Hill was somewhat loose after recent re-surfacing. [Second ftd was R.L.Woods with 26.53 sec. in an Aston Martin DB 2-4]
Jun 24, BARC SW Centre, Tom Sopwith, Mercedes 300SL, 25.92 sec (record for closed cars) <ref>Brunton Hill Climb programme, Sunday, 16th September 1956; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.</ref>
Sep 16, Tom Sopwith, Lotus-Climax, 24.91 sec

1957
May 12, G.H. Keylock (Cooper) 26.19 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, June 1957, Page 282.</ref>
June 23, A.F. Rivers Fletcher, Cooper 1,000, 23.88 sec, New Course Record (car was pale blue) <ref> C.A.N. May, Speed Hill-Climb, Page 100.</ref>
Sep 15, Tom Sopwith, Cooper-Climax sports 1½-litre, 23.40 sec R <ref>Motor Sport, Oct 1957, Page 562.</ref>

1958
April 13, David Good, Cooper 1,100 c.c. 24.11 sec, fine.
June 22,"B.A.R.C. (S.W. Centre).- Twenty-three
teams each of three cars competed in the
Third Brunton inter-club team hill climb on
22 June, in bad weather conditions. The
results were as follows:-
1. B.A.R.C. (S.E. Centre) team-Morris (F.W.
Marriot), Austin (D.R. Milton) and M.G.
(W.G.F. Swayne), 523 marks lost; 2. B.A.R.C.
(S.W. Centre) Ladies' team-Riley/A.C. (Mrs.
S.L. Park), Renault Dauphine (Mrs E.M.P.
Havard) and Renault Dauphine (Mrs J Fraser),
598; North Cornwall M.C. team-Dellow (J.T.
Skinner), Morris (W.A. Cleave) and Jaguar
(W.G.A. Penhale), 1,048.
Sept 7, BARC
John Fenning , 1958 F3 class winner?

1959
April 12, J.N. Anstis, A.C. Bristol, 29.38 sec, wet <ref>Motor Sport, May 1959, Page 307.</ref>
June 21,
Track extended here:
Sept 6, D.R. Good, Cooper, 23.85 sec, New Course Record

1960
April 10
June 19, David Good Cooper JAP 25.41 (Autosport 1 July 60)
Sept 18, David Good

1961
April 9, David Good Cooper JAP (time not known)
June 4, BARC, Arthur Owen, Cooper 2.2-litre,
Sep 17, Daniel Richmond, Venom FJ, 30.77 sec, wet

1962
April 15, Wally Cuff, Cooper-J.A.P. 1,100 c.c., 27.21 sec
June 17, Eric Willmott, Elva FJ, 25.42 sec (car painted red)
Sept 16, Peter Westbury, Cooper F2-Daimler, 22.71 sec, Record

1963
April 21 Peter Westbury, Felday Daimler, 29.73. <ref>Results sheet.</ref>
June 16, BARC SW Centre, P.Westbury (Felday Daimler) 25.20 <ref>Autosport June 28th Vol.26 No.26 Pg.924</ref>
September 13, Patsy Burt, Cooper-Climax

1964
April 19, BARC, A.E. Marsh, Marsh-Climax, 27.00 sec, rain <ref>Autosport, May 1, 1964, Page 625.</ref>
June 13, J.A.White, Petty-JAP, 26.59 <ref>Autosport June 19th pg 905 Vol 28 No 25</ref>
September ?, Patsy Burt, Cooper-Climax

1965
April 18 BARC, Ian Swift, Cooper-Ford 4.7-litre, 25.89 sec, sunny but slippery <ref>Autosport, April 23, 1965, Page 625.</ref>
June 13, BARC SW Centre, T. Smith, Cooper JAP 1100, 25.38 <ref>Autosport June 18th Vol.30 No.5 Page 968.</ref>
Sept 5, R. Payne (Hillman Imp) no time given <ref>Autosport Sept 17th Pg 471 Vol 31 No 12</ref>

1966
April 3, BARC, T.Elton (Lotus 22 1600) 26.81 sec <ref>Autosport April 8th pg 554, Vol 32 No 14</ref>
June 12, BARC, D.Harris (DMF) 25.27 sec <ref>Autosport June 24th pg 1078 Vol 32 No 25</ref>

1967
Apr 16
June 11

1968
June 9

1969
April 20, Ian Swift, Swift-Ford, 35.54 sec [Billed as 50th Brunton, FTD seems too long?]

1970
April 5, It was used into the 1970s, but references to the events had become sparse. A number of competitors used the early season event as a shake down for the season and on the first weekend of April 1970 David Good in his "new F5,000 McLaren M10B" set btd with 23.64sec beating Sir Nick Williamson (also in a McLaren M10 but an A/B) by 0.29sec.
June 7,
September 13
[Was this the last meeting?]

END

Edited by Rupertlt1, 15 November 2013 - 22:43.

[Rupertlt1]

The Autocar, 28 September 1956, Page 439:
B.A.R.C.-The new surface put on Brunton
hill earlier in the year has now settled down,
and its excellent condition was reflected in
the fast times achieved during the hill-climb
there on Sunday, September 16. For the
third time in succession Tommy Sopwith, in
his Lotus-Climax, made the fastest run of
the day. Miss Patsy Burt's time of 25.92 sec
in her Aston Martin DB2-4 won her the
ladies' award and was a record for lady
drivers. The novice award went to J.E.
Fenning, who was taking part in his first hill-
climb, driving his father's Staride; he beat his
father's time by 0.03 sec. Seventy drivers took
part in what was judged to be the best closed
meeting ever run by the South-Western
Centre of the club.
RESULTS
Fastest time of the day: Lotus-Climax 1,498
(T.E. Sopwith), 24.91 sec. Runner up and f.t.d.
by S.W. Centre member: Tojeiro 1,971 (A. M.
Park), 25.10 sec.
Ladies' award: Aston Martin DB2-4 2,922 (Miss
P. Burt), 25.92 sec.
Novice award: Staride 500 (J. E. Fenning),
26.41 sec
Saloon cars up to 950 c.c.: Standard 948 (A. J.
Lumsden-Cook), 39.56 sec. 951 to 1,400: Ford 1,172
(Mrs. J. Bloxam), 39.42 sec. 1,401 to 1,900: M.G.
Magnette 1,489 (G. C. Langdon), 35.11 sec. 1,901
to 2,750: Healey 2,443 (E. B. Wadsworth), 30.62 sec.
Over 2,750: Invicta 4,467 (J. A. Shutler), 29.13 sec.
Closed cars up to 2,000: Porsche 1,498 (J. Burke).
Over 2,000: Mercedes-Benz 2,996 (T.E. Sopwith),
26.62 sec.
Sports cars up to 950 c.c.: Austin 750 (N. E.
Davis), 32.13 sec. 951 to 1,400: 1. M.G. 1,250 (J. M.
Sparrowe), 29.40 sec; 2. Grayford 1,172 (S. C.
Gray, 29.91 sec; 3. M.G. 746 s (G. V. Coles),
30.51 sec. 1,401 to 1,900: M.G.A 1,489 (M. J. Reid),
31.58 sec. 1,901 to 2,750: 1. Frazer-Nash 1,971
(J. R. Rudd), 26.07 sec; R.G.S.-Atalanta 2,580
(N. A. Wood), 27.93 sec; Morgan 1,991 (J. B.
Banbury), 28.46 sec. Over 2,750: S.S. 100 3,485
(D. L. Mather), 29.54 sec. Sports-racing cars up to
1,200: Elva 1,098 (J. K. W. Hickman), 26.42 sec.
1,201 to 2,000: 1. Frazer-Nash 1,971 (J. R. Rudd),
26.04 sec; 2. Lotus 1,467 (E. G. Willmott), 27.72 sec.
3. Lotus 1,467 (T. G. Cunane), 27.90 sec. Over
2,000: 1. Cripps Spl 5,300 s (W. L. Cripps),
26.56 sec; 2. Allard 4,375 (P. L. Farquharson),
26.96 sec. Racing cars up to 500: 1. Cooper (C. A. N.
May), 25.22 sec; 2. Cooper (R. W. Colton), 25.34 sec.

END

[tom walker]

Rupert,

 

I was recently sent some history on my Allard J2X by a previous owner.

He kept a motoring log, and has an entry for April 28th 1968.

Just for fun I'll quote the whole entry:

"Having got the J2X going nicely the day before, I go down to Brunton for the hill climb. Get beaten by my J1. 30.6 secs to 31.6 secs. The axle ratio (2.9:1) is too high for hill climbs, but the car is lovely on the road, steering and stopping well (although steering is too low geared) but the halibrand axle is very noisy."

 

Hope this is of some help.I got alot of useful info from Beaulieu who have complete runs of some mags and can do searches for a reasonable price.

 

All the best, Tom.