212 replies to this topic

[Rupertlt1]

Driver Notes:

G.V. Coles

Geoff Coles of 28, Hilltop Crescent, Cosham, was an "insurance inspector" by trade.

He competed in a 1933 M.G. J4, 746 c.c. A member of the Southsea Motor Club.

Car described as a J2 converted to J4 specification.

17 June 1939: second in class at Lewes Speed Trials.

Address in November 1941: G.V. Coles, 11 Lynchmore Avenue, N. Lancing, Sussex.

Competed at the Brighton Speed Trials, Horndean Speed Trials, 1946.

Class winner, Poole Speed Trials, 1948.

Third in 3-lap handicap event, Goodwood, 13 August 1949.

"At present a 750 c.c supercharged engine is installed bringing the car within the Grand Prix formula 1 racing specifications. This engine should give at least 125 m.p.h., a speed which will be bettered on the installation of the 1,002 c.c. engine. Mr. Coles was assisted in the construction of the car by Mr. H. Crowe."

Portsmouth Evening News, Tuesday 23 February 1954.

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

Coles raced on up into the 1960s, appearing in MBK 999 at Firle on 8 July 1962. One of the few who competed at both Lewes and Firle?

See re OD 4638: http://www.triple-mr...?TOPIC_ID=15399

Ron Truscott

"In the pre-war years he learned his driving mainly on the Brooklands and Donnington (sic) tracks, where he drove an M.G., a Talbot and a four-and-a-half-litre Bentley."

Bognor Regis Observer, Friday 21 October 1955.

A lengthy letter appeared in Motor Sport, November 1943, signed R. Truscott, (S/Sgt R.E.M.E), H.M. Forces.

The 1923 4½-litre Bentley was registered OK 9470, chassis 290, engine no TX3246, 9ft 10" wheelbase.

See Motor Sport, May 1944, Page 107, includes photograph.

After WW2 Truscott lived at Aldingbourne and operated a garage at Westergate, Fontwell. His foreman and racing mechanic was Mr. Leslie Negus.

He competed in the first event held at Goodwood, event Number 3, 18 September 1948.

In 1955 Truscott competed in a Frazer-Nash fitted with a 2½-litre Lea-Francis motor.

In 1957 he competed in a Cooper-J.A.P.

Brunton, 12 May 1957: "Truscott was driving his ex-Wharton Cooper with ex-Collins 1,098 c.c. supercharged J.A.P. engine for the first time."

Class winner at Firle, 2 June 1957.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 05 November 2019 - 04:54.

[Rupertlt1]

Driver Notes:

C.J. Lawrence - Chris Lawrence

 

B.A.R.C. 1st Members' Meeting, Aintree, 21 May 1955 (B.A.R.C. Year Book, 1956)

B.A.R.C. 10th Brunton Hill Climb, 18 September 1955, 2nd in class - M.G. NA

B.A.R.C. 20th Members' Meeting, Goodwood, 24 September 1955 (B.A.R.C. Year Book, 1956)

 

B.A.R.C. 23rd Members' Meeting, Goodwood, 7 July 1956

"we were relieved to see a smart white body on Lawrence's M.G., with six Amal carburettors, for in the paddock it had been a naked chassis."

Motor Sport, August 1956, Page 488.

 

B.A.R.C. 24th Members' Meeting, Goodwood, 22 September 1956 - #80, JB 6866

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

Note Geoff Coles also.

 

See Page 29: http://triple-mregis...vember 2008.pdf

 

B.A.R.C. 26th Members' Meeting, Goodwood, 22 June 1957

Event 8- Five-lap Handicap Race (D)

1st-J. Goddard-Watts (Berkeley), 11 min 17.2 sec, 58.86 m.p.h

2nd-Mrs B. Naylor (Lagonda) 12 min 6 sec

3rd-R.A. Palmer (H.R.G) 12 min 8.4 sec

4th-C.J. Lawrence (Rotacks-M.G.), 12 min 12.8 sec

Fastest lap-C.J. Lawrence (Rotacks-M.G.), 2 min 9.2 sec, 66.87 m.p.h.

 

Bugatti O.C. Prescott, Sunday 4 May 1958

1,101c.c. to 1,600c.c.: 1. E. Lewis (Lotus), 46.81; 2, A. E. Marsh (Lotus), 48.01: 3, C. J. Lawrence (A.F.M.), 52.65.

 

B.A.R.C. 33rd Members' Meeting, Goodwood, 14 March 1959

Photo caption

CONTROVERSIAL WINNER-C.J. Lawrence (Morgan) seen on his way

to an easy victory in the ten-lap marque scratch race at Goodwood on

Saturday. By wiring the starter to the door, Lawrence stole a quick

lead on the other drivers following the Le Mans-type start.

Bognor Regis Observer, Friday 20 March 1959

 

B.A.R.C. Oulton Park, 27 August 1960

SEVEN LAP MARQUE SCRATCH RACE

1. C. J. Lawrence (Morgan +4) 16m 06.6s, 71.83 m.p.h.; 2. J. Heppenstall (M.G.A. Twin-Cam): 3. S. H. Newton (Triumph TR2). Fastest lap: C. J. Lawrence. 2m 16.4 s; 72.87 m.p.h.

SEVEN LAP SCRATCH RACE (For Formula Junior Cars)

1. C. J. Lawrence (Deep Sanderson Ford) 16m. 31.8s., 70.15 m.p.h.; 2. J. L. Romanes (Lotus-Ford); 3. J. Fenning (Lotus-Ford). Fastest lap: Major A. M. R. Mallock (U2 Ford) 2m 18.2s. 71.92 m.p.h.

 

See also: https://library.revs...=Deep Sanderson

 

The Lawrencetune connection in the development of the Brompton bicycle:

 

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 04 November 2019 - 16:11.

[RobMk2a]

Does anyone have a programme for 4th June 1961 - a film has appeared on facebook (posted by Adrian Hill on the Lotus Elite Group) - with Lotus Elite, TVR, AC and Berkeley - if possible I would like to identify the Elite and TVR. 

 

Thank you

 

Rob 

[Rupertlt1]

Rob, I don't have the programme - can't find the film - may be able to help but where is the movie?

 

J.S. Dunn (Lotus Elite) was a class winner at 25th Brunton, 18th September 1960.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 31 January 2020 - 16:33.

[RobMk2a]

Not sure this will work 

 

https://www.facebook...55800281534644/

 

Rob 

[Rupertlt1]

Rob, It doesn't but hopefully we'll get there.

 

RGDS RLT 

[Rupertlt1]

Brunton, B.A.R.C/Castrol Hill-climb Championship, 8 June 1969:

FTD: D. McDougall (Cooper T72 Ford 1.0-litre s/c), 23.37 sec

Class winners:

C. Cramer (1.0 Cooper S) 25.73s

R. Preston (1.3 Cooper S) 25.66s

R. Blacklidge (1328 Cooper S) 26.01s

J. Northcroft (1.1 Midget) 27.04s

K. Kenyon (4.2 Jaguar E) 25.41s

J. Page (Alvis Speed 20/25) 33.72s

P. Voigt (1.0 DRW-Imp Mk VI) 24.10s

J. Goodliff (1.3 Minisprint) 23.65s

Stan Thomas (Cooper Mk 8) 24.59s

W. Heaton-Rudd (1.6 Rudeani Ford) 25.08s

Ladies' Award: Mrs T. Dunne (Brabham BT3/18 Ford 1.5) 27.62s

Top ten Run-off:

J. Goodliff (1.3 Minisprint) 23.40s

P. Voigt (1.0 DRW-Imp Mk VI) 23.70s

D. McDougall (Cooper T72 Ford 1.0-litre s/c) 23.72s

B. Alexander (3.5 TVR Buick) 24.65s

R. Blacklidge (1328 Cooper S) 25.53s

C. Cramer (1.0 Cooper S) 25.82s

D. Way (1.9 Morgan 4/4) 25.85s

J. Northcroft (1.1 Midget) 26.82s

K. Ashbey (1.5 Midget) 26.94s

B. Aston (1.1 Sprite Mk 1) 27.21s

Motoring News, 12 June 1969, Page 9

 

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Edited by Rupertlt1, 06 March 2020 - 03:52.

[Rupertlt1]

NINTH BRUNTON HILL CLIMB, 3rd April, 1955

F.T.D.— J.M. Burn (Frazer-Nash) 28.06 sec

Ladies' Award— Mrs. J. A. Leavens (Triumph TR2), 31.13 sec

Closed Cars:

Class 1, Up to 950 c.c.—

1. S.D. Silverthorne (Renault), Havant, 37.84 sec (class record)

2. S.T. Sprake, (Renault), Rowlands Castle, 39.34 sec

Class 2, 951-1300 c.c.— L. Potter (Peugeot), 36.90 sec

Class 3, 1301-1800 c.c.— F. Downs (Hillman), 45.21 sec

Class 4, 1801-3000 c.c.—

1. R. Cooper (Riley), Portsmouth, 33.30 sec

2. H.A. Hosier (Bristol), 33.74 sec

Class 5, Over 3000 c.c.— P.L. Farquharson (Allard), 34.35 sec

Open Cars:

Class 6, Up to 750 c.c. u/s.— No entries.

Class 7, 751-1100 c.c. u/s and up to 750 c.c. s/c.—

1. R.M. Smith (M.G.), Portsmouth, 31.26 sec

2. H. Torrens (Fiat), 33.46 sec

Class 8, 1101-1500 c.c. u/s and 751-1100 c.c. s/c.—

1. J.T. Hodges (Griffiths M.G.), 30.04 sec

2. W.A. Liddell (Buckler), 30.63 sec

Class 9, 1501-2000 c.c. u/s and 1101-1500 c.c. s/c.—

1. K.N. Rudd (A.C.), 28.37 sec

2. P.G. Fletcher (H.R.G.-Bristol), 28.61 sec

Class 10, 2001-3000 c.c. u/s and 1501-2000 c.c. s/c.—

1. D.W. Davis (Austin-Healey), 30.60 sec

2. R.W. Colton (Morgan), 31.58 sec

Class 11, Over 3000 c.c. u/s and over 2000 c.c. s/c.—

1. P.L. Farquharson (Allard), 28.08 sec

2. P.F. Moore (Allard), 28.30 sec

3. W.L. Cripps (Cripps Special), 29.05 sec

 

"other local entrants were

F.H.G. Vagg (Portsmouth)

R. Brock (Gosport), R.C.G.

Ashby (Emsworth), G.V.

Coles (Cosham), J. Fisher

(Southsea), P.C. Wadham

(Waterlooville), W.H. Wadham

(Denmead), P. Robinson (Chi-

chester), and J.M. Stringer

(Wickham)."

Portsmouth Evening News, Monday 4 April 1955

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 22 April 2020 - 17:34.

[GazChed]

Presumably the Wadhams and Stringer competitors were connected with the Commercial Vehicle concern based in Hampshire.

[Rupertlt1]

 

Here is another picture of Mr. Camp and his Cooper:

 

[I can't get pic to load - it is under West Essex Car Club Speed Trials.]

 

I can find little about him, not even his initials. This turned up:

 

B.O.C. Prescott National Speed Hill Climb

13 September 1959

"Camp drove a car with Shorrock-blown

Ford Ten engine, M.G. gearbox and

Falcon bodyshell."

 

RGDS RLT

 

 

The 1960 car was registered 16 XME, a Cooper-based special, and is seen here:

 

https://library.revs...d-trials/458048

 

See also: https://forums.autos...-2#entry7016819

 

W. J. 'Bill' Camp at Firle:

 

https://forums.autos...dpost&p=8572202

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 23 May 2021 - 20:13.

[Rupertlt1]

B.A.R.C. (S.W. CENTRE), Sunday 15th September 1963

34th BRUNTON HILL CLIMB

NEW timing equipment allied with good

organization made for unusually fre-

quent climbs at Brunton on Sunday, 15th

September. Added to this a varied selec-

tion of competing cars and, most important

of all, continuous sunshine, it was easy to

see why both spectators and competitors

had an enjoyable day's sport.

Best time of the day went to Miss Patsy

Burt in her immaculate 2-litre Cooper-

Climax, despite an apparent slight misfire

she ascended in 25.60 secs. Most com-

mendably the second best time went to

the over 2-litre sports and G.T. class,

namely, V. J. Crapnell in his E-type coupe

with 26.38 secs. Three-tenths of a second

slower, T. Elton in his Mk. 8 Cooper-

J.A.P. made third best time of the day

and took the 500 c.c.-1,500 c.c. racing car

class,

While the hard-working commentator

was thoughtfully announcing that the car

was for sale, Brian Bennett's Turner G.T.

clocked 27.54 secs. As this was the quickest

by a South-Western member it qualified

for a special award, and so Sturgess in his

ex-Daniel Richmond light-weight Lotus 7

took the sports and G.T. class for less

than 1,100 c.c. In the next larger capacity

division Allan Allard's Allardette took first

and second places with himself and Tom

Fisk driving.

At the previous Brunton in June four

records had fallen but at this 34th meeting

only one was clipped, C. E. Trickey in an

850 c.c. Mini lowering his own record from

33.45 to 32.84 secs. The Hillman Imp is

obviously getting a foothold in competi-

tion circles and J. Griffin's model won the

850 c.c.-1,300 c.c. r.w.d. class; however, his

time did not bear comparison with similar

capacity cars having engine and traction at

the opposite end. P.A.M.W.

RESULTS

B.T.D.: Miss P. Burt (Cooper-Climax), 25.60 s.

Class Winners: C. E. Trickey (Mini); J. Griffin

(Imp): A. Wordley (Volvo); B. Sturgess (Lotus 7);

A. Allard (Allardette); H. Hamblin (TR4): V. J.

Crapnell (Jaguar E); R. Hollyfield (Cooper); T.

Elton (Cooper-J.A.P.); Miss P. Burt (Cooper-

Climax). Best S.W. Centre Member: B. Bennett

(Turner-Climax).

Autosport, 4 October 1963, Page 474

 

See also: https://forums.autos...west-hillclimb/

 

https://forums.autos...dpost&p=8924947

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 22 July 2021 - 13:27.

[Rupertlt1]

B.A.R.C. (S.W. CENTRE)

BRUNTON HILL-CLIMB

The B.A.R.C. (S.W. Centre) held their

29th Brunton Hill-Climb recently in

bitterly cold, but mercifully dry

weather, which brought out David

Good's new machine for its first com-

petition appearance. The old F3 chassis

has been retired and last year's 1,100 c.c.

engine is now mounted in a 1961

Cooper Junior chassis. As yet the

engine has not been enlarged to 1,340

c.c. but David hopes to have this done

shortly. Unfortunately one of the two

fuel pumps failed to function and the

"jury-rigged" system made the take-off

and the first 100 yards a very stuttery

affair. However, his lightning progress

up the higher slopes enabled David to

return the second B.T.D., as opposed to

Wally Cuff's 27.21 secs. in his Cooper-

J.A.P. driven with typical verve.

However, it was in the smaller car

classes that the record-breaking perform-

ances were put up. Val Gardener com-

fortably broke the Class I record, re-

turning a time of 30.61 secs. in his S.P.

Dunlop-shod Austin 7-Cooper. Remark-

ably fast was F. F. Ferris in his DKW

Junior, giving away 250 c.c. to the Mini-

Coopers and Anglias, and beating most

of them. In Class II A. F. Lefevre beat

the old record in his much-modified

Rapier. In this class there appeared one

of the new Vauxhall VX 4/90s, which

went quite rapidly but seemed to roll

rather excessively at the bottom corner.

Classes III and IV were poorly sup-

ported, but Class V saw a close battle

between Porsches and Elites, victory

going to Bill Swayne with his Super 90

in 30.75 secs. after a time of 30 secs. by

Nigel Price in his wife's Elite had been

disallowed. However, Cherry-Anne

Price returned 31.69 secs. to take second

place from D. L. Mather, driving a

practically identical car. Class VI pro-

vided the closest racing of the day with

J. B. Banbury having to break his own

class record with his LaurenceTune

Morgan, returning 29.32 secs., driving

excellently.

Class VIII as always was enlivened by

Ashley Cleave's ancient Morris, which

ascended in 30.97 secs. to take second

place behind Haskell's Lotus 7. Class

IX went to Griffin's professionally

turned out Lotus XI, while Dangerfield's

immaculate A.C.-Bristol won Class XII,

beating the record in the process of

recording 29.03 secs. In this class

Richard Drewett had a very nasty

moment when the throttle of his Frazer-

Nash "Le Mans" stuck open at maxi-

mum revs. going into the first corner.

In the big sports car class Tiller's

ferocious driving of his J2 Allard pro-

vided one of the day's highlights when

he did 27.97 secs. to win a rather deci-

mated class after the Cripps's Special

and Price's DB3S had both blown up in

practice and "Butch" Farquharson only

managed one competition run. The 500

c.c. class saw some excellent driving

from H. M. Bennett. who won with his

Cooper-Norton, and from Isobel Robin-

son, who won the lady's award from

Cherry-Anne Price with a time of 31.31

secs. T. M. Smith turned over his

Staride at the first corner but was thrown

clear and seemed no worse for his ex-

perience-although his machine ap-

peared a trifle bent.

N.H.P.

Autosport, 4 May 1962, Page 646

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

More from Steve Wilkinson:

 

MOTORING NEWS, 24th April 1969, Issue 633, Page 6 Brunton Hillclimb

“Swift Again at Brunton” – 50th Brunton hillclimb

“John Surtees was on hand to open the hill in an Alfa 1600 and to present the awards afterwards.” “Altogether the crowd enjoyed fair weather and some fine climbing.”

FTD: Ian Swift (4.7 Swift-Ford V8) 24.54s 

FTD (SW): Stan Thomas (1.0 Cooper Mk 8)

Class Winners:

Bryan Jones (1.0 Mini Cooper); John Francis (1.3 Mini Cooper); Roy Hancliffe (1.7 Ford Anglia); Mike Bundy (1.1 Austin Healey Sprite); Keith Kenyon (3.8 Jaguar E-Type); W.A. Ash Cleave (Morris Special); David Hendry (Terrier Mk 6); David Good (2.0 Chevron-BMW B8) 25.25s; David McDougal (1.0 Cooper T72); Sir Nick Williamson (1.6 Brabham-Ford TC BT21C)

 

 NB Once again the odd-ball class awards system was in operation. No times other than FTD was listed in the results however I gleaned David Good’s time from the body of the report. No other class winners times were reported.

 

[Note: The FTD time of 24.54 secs amends all references above.]

 

RGDS RLT

 

Swift it certainly was at 50th Brunton

For the fiftieth Brunton

Hill Climb on April 20 the

South-Western Centre had

gathered a very fine entry.

It is not surprising that

Brunton has over the years be-

come such a popular hill climb

venue both with competitors

and spectators. This short but

deceptively steep hill is the

scene three times a year of a

really first-class day's sport

in a friendly atmosphere.

One of the most remarkable

entries was Ashley Cleave in

a 1937 Morris which has done

a quarter of a million miles of

competitive motoring. He won

the Historic Car Class!

John Surtees used his Alfa

Romeo road car to make the

opening climb.

Class 1 for Normal and Im-

proved Series Production Tour-

ing Cars up to 1000 cc went

to Bryan Jones (Morris Cooper

S) with a time of 26.81 secs.

David West, using the same

car, came second in 27.51 secs.

Class 2 for the 1001-1300 cc

cars saw John Francis in his

Cooper S 2 secs faster than

anybody else. The over 1300

cc class was won by Ron Han-

cliff (Ford Anglia) in 27.62 secs.

Mike Bundy (Austin Healey

Sprite), taking a day off from

circuit racing, won Class 4 for

Production Sports Cars up to

1600 cc in 27.42 secs. In the

over 1600 cc Production Sports

Cars (Class 5) Keith Kenyon

took his Jaguar 'E' up the hill

in 26.42 secs. to win the class

by over 2 secs.

The Historic Car Class in-

cluded the Beaulieu entry of a

1914 Vauxhall Prince Henry

driven by Michael Ware, which

purred majestically up the hill

in 42.97 secs.

In the two classes for Grand

Touring and Sports Racing

Cars the awards went to David

Hendry's Terrier Mk. 6 (up to

1200 cc) and David Good's

Chevron (over 1200 cc).

David McDougall won the

up to 1100 cc Racing Car Class

in his Cooper Type 72.

The battle for FTD was in

the over 1100 cc Racing Car

class between the Swift Ford

of Ian Swift and the Brabham

of Sir Nicholas Williamson.

Ian Swift captured the top

award, but by a mere 0.05 sec.,

and it was Sir Nicholas Wil-

liamson's first visit to Brunton!

John Surtees presented the

awards on behalf of Guards

who had sponsored the event.

South-Western Centre Chair-

man Tom Fisk, making pre-

sentations to Keith Salmon

(Scrutineer), who had been at

48 of the 50 events, and Mike

Bludworth, Bill Short and Mr.

H. A. Hosier, Brunton's owner.

B.A.R.C. Gazette.

 

RGDS RLT