61 replies to this topic

[sterling49]

Not quite, but today I went to a Production Car Trial in Culverstone, Near Meopham in Kent and reminded myself of the great fun that can be had at this grass roots level. It is a form of Motorsport that teaches drivers car control, to watch for the best or grippiest patch of ground,of how to make deft touches of the brakes, to use the handbrake in an effort to change direction of travel of the car and for the driver and passenger to work as a cohesive unit. The passenger "bouncing" to make the car find extra grip and lunge the car forward, the winner of the day being the competitor with the lowest score ( the team that manages to get highest up the hill). I am now looking for suitable wheels as the wife's Focus is a tad tardy, but an old AX, Fiesta, Mini, Metro, Susuki Swift seem to be the order of the day, along with NSU TT, MG Midget and various other "classics". I started my Club days in this form of sport, would members in other parts of the world recognise this or have their own version for starters?

A great day out in the fresh air, and very little cost, if any at all if the car is an MOT failure!

[Allan Lupton]

Yes the PCT is/was a good example of entry-level motor sport and it's good to hear it still exists in these specialist days. Similarly the autotest when held on a grass surface as that too can still be entered in the car you drive to work in.
50 years ago when I started (good heavens, is it really that long ago ), road rallying was also the province of the normal man in his day-to-day car, at least at Closed and Closed-Co-promoted levels.

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Allan Lupton
50 years ago when I started (good heavens, is it really that long ago ), road rallying was also the province of the normal man in his day-to-day car, at least at Closed and Closed-Co-promoted levels.

I used to do autotests as well, "Pylon Spinning" was great fun, reverse flips (always right hand down in a Right hand Drive vehicle) handbrake turns...and some tests that were so fast, they were like a special stage......and all accessible on the membership of the local Motor Club, halcyon days!

I used to finish work on a Friday evening and then go to the start of a 12 car rally, usually run by the Bexley Light Car Club. Great fun, such good memories and great grounding for beginners.

[Cirrus]

Have a look here.....

http://www.paulswift...t-autotest.html

Scroll down, and click on the video section

[Allan Lupton]

He's good at it, isn't he?
Car spec. is interesting. I can't think that the man who made the two-speed gearbox it uses has many customers!

[Greystone]

Originally posted by sterling49
Not quite, but today I went to a Production Car Trial in Culverstone, Near Meopham in Kent and reminded myself of the great fun that can be had at this grass roots level.

You and I must be fairly close neighbours sterling49. Was that the Borough 19 PCT that you attended? I would have been helping out at that if I hadn't been stripping the engine of my Tomcat after a below par peformance on Dave Walker's rolling road (looks like the valves are the culprits).

If you want more grass roots sport in the area, try the Sevenoaks clubs grass autotests run on Thursday evenings in the summer on the old A20 at Farningham Hill, or the MMKMC autotests run on Wednesday evenings in the summer next to Headcorn aerodrome?

Andrew

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Greystone


You and I must be fairly close neighbours sterling49. Was that the Borough 19 PCT that you attended? I would have been helping out at that if I hadn't been stripping the engine of my Tomcat after a below par peformance on Dave Walker's rolling road (looks like the valves are the culprits).

If you want more grass roots sport in the area, try the Sevenoaks clubs grass autotests run on Thursday evenings in the summer on the old A20 at Farningham Hill, or the MMKMC autotests run on Wednesday evenings in the summer next to Headcorn aerodrome?

Andrew

Hi Andrew,
Well I never! I used to compete in the 7Oaks events a few moons ago...... and saw many old friends there yesterday, yes it was the B19 event, I got a real telling off cos I used the wife's car and it came back looking like it had done the R.A.C

There was a period of my life when I knew most of the regular competitors in ASEMC and LCAMC, then I got married and exchanged the Mexico for a small wife and a LARGE mortgage

I might even have competed in some of the same events as you

[elansprint72]

Back in 1975 I was a member of the Mid-Cheshire Motor Racing Club and we ran a trial at Longnor, in the hills above Buxton.
Does this sport still exist?
I have a few more photos, if anyone is interested.

[arttidesco]

I understand that the Bristol Pegasus Motor Club has a trial lined up for Sunday 17th of April :-)

[Phil Rainford]

And of course the 750MC


http://www.750mc.co....ting-trials.php


PAR

[elansprint72]

Thanks for the info; this was the only trial I ever saw.

[carlt]

Thanks for the info; this was the only trial I ever saw.

The cars cost as much a single seat racing cars now - and are very clever bits of Kit

[Aykay]

The Peter Blankstone Memorial Trial is this Sunday 13th held in the fields above the car park at Shelsley Walsh

[Tim Murray]

There are three main categories of trials events, Sporting Trials, Production Car Trials (PCTs) and Classic Trials. Sporting trials are run for the specialist vehicles shown in Pete’s photos. These cars are (almost always) not road-legal. The Peter Blankstone Memorial Trial mentioned by Aykay is run for these cars.

Production Car Trials are run for road-legal vehicles (sometimes much-modified). They are usually held at a single location. The Bristol Pegasus MC trial mentioned by Ralph is one of these. Classic Trials include the three famous long-distance events run by the MCC (the Edinburgh, the Land’s End and the Exeter) and other similar events, where cars (and motor cycles) travel on the road between the various trials sections.

[Leigh Trevail]

Production Car Trials are alive and well in East Anglia. Events are regularly held by the West Suffolk Motor Club, Eastern Counties Motor Club and the Sporting Car Club of Norfolk. I have entered my 205 in three of these events so far this year, they are a great way to spend a winters day.

[elansprint72]

Thanks, chaps; I was only really aware of the VSCC trials- that PCT looks interesting!



Any more photos, folks?

[Leigh Trevail]

To take £50 worth of hatchback over territory that it was never designed for is very rewarding. The minimum age for the drivers is fourteen (twelve for a passenger) so it is a good way for a teenager to get involved in motor sport.

[RS2000]

I'm sure there is an earlier thread somewhere here that included the current nomenclature of sporting/classic/production car.

[carlt]

There are three main categories of trials events, Sporting Trials, Production Car Trials (PCTs) and Classic Trials. Sporting trials are run for the specialist vehicles shown in Pete’s photos. These cars are (almost always) not road-legal. The Peter Blankstone Memorial Trial mentioned by Aykay is run for these cars.

Production Car Trials are run for road-legal vehicles (sometimes much-modified). They are usually held at a single location. The Bristol Pegasus MC trial mentioned by Ralph is one of these. Classic Trials include the three famous long-distance events run by the MCC (the Edinburgh, the Land’s End and the Exeter) and other similar events, where cars (and motor cycles) travel on the road between the various trials sections.

All almost certainly requiring more driving skill than the roundy , roundy tarmac stuff

[sterling49]

Perhaps Twinny can merge this thread with one named "Lands End Trial", which is about PCTs....................great fun to compete in and spectate, the smell of burning clutches, nothing like it !

[Phil Rainford]

Was it Julian Flack who seemed to appear every week in "Motoring News " winning trials all over the UK in the 1970s?


PAR

[sterling49]

Was it Julian Flack who seemed to appear every week in "Motoring News " winning trials all over the UK in the 1970s?


PAR

...and the Brise family, John being quite a dab hand with the "fiddle" brakes..............

Edited by sterling49, 09 March 2011 - 21:02.

[mikeC]

...Any more photos, folks?

Well, I've got a few from even earlier: these were taken on the Snake Pass in, I think, 1960:







I posted them a few years ago on an earlier thread, I think the conclusion was that it was either a North Midland Motor Club or Sheffield and Hallamshire event.

[bradbury west]

What became of Lol Hurt, a name from the dim and distant?
Roger Lund

[Alan Cox]

Some great names on this list. the names I remember aprticularly from the early '60s are Rex and Renee Chappell. IIRC their photo appeared once on the front cover af a winter edition of Motor Sport, such was the following of the sport in those far-off days.
http://www.btrda.com...175_4346637.pdf

Edited by Alan Cox, 10 March 2011 - 09:38.

[Alan Cox]

...and the Brise family, John being quite a dab hand with the "fiddle" brakes..............

And Reg Allen, whose daughter, Janet, married Tony Brise.

[Tim Murray]

Some great names on this list. the names I remember aprticularly from the early '60s are Rex and Renee Chappell. IIRC their photo appeared once on the front cover af a winter edition of Motor Sport, such was the following of the sport in those far-off days.
http://www.btrda.com...175_4346637.pdf

Seeing Eric Jackson's name on that list reminded me that his daughter Jackie started these threads on her Dad and the joys of trialling:

Trialling

British Trials 1958 - photo

The second of these threads is the one where Mike C first posted his photos seen above.

Edited by Tim Murray, 09 March 2011 - 23:51.

[arttidesco]

Production Car Trials are alive and well in East Anglia. Events are regularly held by the West Suffolk Motor Club, Eastern Counties Motor Club and the Sporting Car Club of Norfolk. I have entered my 205 in three of these events so far this year, they are a great way to spend a winters day.

I had doubt about attempting a trial in either a Passat or Picante now I have seen this I am tempted to give it a whirl

[sterling49]

An old Metro/Fiesta/AX/Swift/Micra/Pand is always a good place to start...and they remain competitive, as it is the skill of the crew that makes the difference, a great day out too. Thanks for merging Twinny.

[Leigh Trevail]

To quote Sterling... "as it is the skill of the crew that makes the difference."

That explains how I finished last in each of my events!

[sterling49]

To quote Sterling... "as it is the skill of the crew that makes the difference."

That explains how I finished last in each of my events!

...........but it should be for the enjoyment Leigh !!!

[BRG]

Production Car Trials are alive and well in East Anglia. Events are regularly held by the West Suffolk Motor Club, Eastern Counties Motor Club and the Sporting Car Club of Norfolk. I have entered my 205 in three of these events so far this year, they are a great way to spend a winters day.

Since when did they have hills in E. Anglia!!

[Leigh Trevail]

In answer to Sterling, I really enjoyed it and wish that I had taken part years ago. And to BRG, there are some, steep but not very long, probably deposits left at the end of the last ice age!

[threespires]

Loads of Sporting Trials pix here :-

Loughborough Sporting Trial

Sporting Trials Pix

[Leigh Trevail]

http://img138.images...holbeck002.jpg/][/


This was taken at a West Suffolk MC meeting last month. If you want to see more photos of their meetings check out www.flickr.com/photos/querth

Edited by Leigh Trevail, 12 March 2011 - 19:50.

[mikeC]

To quote Sterling... "as it is the skill of the crew that makes the difference."

That explains how I finished last in each of my events!

Don't tell (Sir) Stirling Moss that! He was not a happy bunny when he didn't do too well in a local trial back in the early fifties

[Leigh Trevail]

To MikeC..... Thank you; I feel much better having read that.

[sterling49]

It was typical back in the day, to focus on rallying, racing and compete, but at club level, most also competed too in the pylon spinning, PCTs and other events, to hone driving skills, use of hand brake, quick changes in direction, reverse flicks etc..................out on events, it was usually easy to see those who had been doing their homework !

[ClanClover]

Elansprint I'd love to see any more photos of trials you may have.

[Rupertlt1]

JANUARY 1-2, 1954.—M.C.C. Exeter Trial

First car departed Kenilworth, Queen and Castle Hotel, 12.08

Saturday morning. Other start points: Virginia Water (Wheatsheaf Hotel)

1.24 a.m. and Launceston (Guildhall Car Park) 2.39 a.m.

Finish at Grand Hotel, Bournemouth.

 

Does anybody have an entry list/program for this event?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 21 January 2022 - 05:51.

[Rupertlt1]

LANDS END TRIAL 1953

M.C.C.—Awards in the Land's End Trial

(April 3-4) are as follows:

First-class awards: Singer 1,929 (R. A. Hellyar);

Scarlet Runner 1,172 (J. Tucker Peake); Tucker

M.G. 1,460 (H. W. Tucker Peake); Vauxhall s 1,484

(C. F. Crossby); Dellow s 1,172 (W. F. Mead); Baylis

Thomas 1,496 (W. J. Haward); H.R.G. 1,496 (F.

Allot); Dellow 1,172 (R. F. Barnard); Singer Le

Mans 1,493 (K. D. McDowall); Dellow 1,172  (A. C.

Westwood); Dellow 1,172 (D. E. Read); Meadows-

Dellow 1,496 (J. E. Talbot); Pelican 1,172 (A. M.

Goldthorpe; M.G. TC 1,250 (M. J. Lawrence); Lea-

Francis 1,496 (A. L. S. Denyer); Ford 3,622 (C. R. L.

Nicholl); Morgan 4-4 1,267 (C. J. McCann); Dellow s

1,172 (W. E. Wykes); Aero Minx s 1,184 (D. Under-

wood); Frazer-Nash 1,496 (R. E. Wright); M.G.

TD 1,250 (W. B. Hercock); Ford 1,172 (Mrs. M. E.

Woodall); Frazer-Nash 1,496 (D. J. Parsons); M.G. s

1,250 (C. M. Kemp); A.F.S. 1,172 (S. D. Guttridge);

Frazer-Nash-B.M.W. 1,971 (G. Crossley-Meates);

Dellow 1,172 (W. S. Bennett); B.H.M. 1,172 (J. B.

Banbury); Eardon 1,172 (G. S. Edwards); Dellow

1,172 (C. R. Parsons); Singer 972 (J. Featherstone);

Barton 1,300 (S. G. Wooldridge); Allard 3,800 (R.J.

Harris); Shamick Special 918 (Ian J. Cruickshank);

L.R.G. Ford 1,172 (R. Wilson); L.R.G. Ford 1,172

(H. G. Ackland); L.R.G. Ford 1,172 (L. R. Gear);

Dellow 1,172 (C. D. Evans).

Second-class awards: Riley Special 1,087 (K. F.

Morrice); Morgan Plus Four 2,088 (B. A. Roy);

Morgan 1,098 (E. P. Huxham); P.S.M. 1,172 (H. H.

Alderton); Dellow s 1,172 (T. J. Sawell); Dellow 1,172

(A. E. Cleghorn); Dellow 1,172 (E. G. Walsh);

Dellow 1,498 (B. W. J. Hindes); Batten V8 3,704

(H. W. Inderwick); Dellow 1,172 (D. W. Watkin);

Dellow 1,172 (D. S. Price); H.R.G. 1,496 (Sir

E. D. W. Verner); Morgan Plus Four 2,088 (W. A. G.

Goodall); Morgan Plus Four 2,088 (J. Moore);

R.L.C. 1,172 (K .M. Law); Austin Grasshopper s 747

(R. J. P. Morley); Austin 747 (D. J. Hurd); Ford

Special 1,172 (F. P. Taylor); Morris 918 (D. F. Stick-

well); Fanifold 1,250 (H. Mayne); Morris 8 Special

918 (K. D. Evans); M.G. TD 1,250 (J. H. Radbourne).

Third-class awards: Riley 1,496 (W. B. Caldwell);

M.G. TC 1,250 (H. G. W. Kendrick); M.G. TC 1,250

(W. E. Kendrick); M.G. 1,250 (C. M. Davis); M.G.

TD 1,250 (J. Shewell-Cooper); Allard 3,917 (J. P.

Davis); Austin A40 1,200 (D. G. M. Middleton);

Singer 1,991 (R. F. Matthews); Trojan 1,488 (N. M.

Arnold-Forster); Allard 3,622 (T. Bellm); Aston

Martin 1,495 (D. Elwell Smith); Ford Anglia 1,172

(D. C. Mitchell); Singer 1,074 (C. J. Preston);

Dellow 1,172 (C. R. Price); Rover 2,147 (R. A. H.

Griffin); Austin A40 1,200 (B. A. W. Holt); Dellow

1,172 (W. Scott); Allard 3,622 (J. W. Bowdagge);

Austin 1,200 (J. E. Wright); M.G. TA 1,342 (R. W.

Brown); Allard 3,622 (J. Potter); Hillman 1,265

(K. G. Cramp); Dellow 1,172 (J. A. van Beugen

Bik); Renault 748 (R. S. E. Cohen); Renault 748

(Miss D. P. W. Norman); Standard 1,009 (M. J.

Barker); H.R.G. 1,496 (A. G. Norgard); Buckler

1,172 (E. J. Kehoe); Vauxhall 2,275 (P. Hewins);

Sunbeam-Talbot 2,263 (J. H. Leigh); H.R.G. 1,074

(H. B. Pincher); G.W.8 3,600 (G. Wood); M.G. TD

1,250 (Miss B. M. Bratt); Sunbeam-Talbot 2,267

(S. A. Letchford); M.G. TD 1,250 (M. D. King);

Dellow s 1,172 (G. M. Sharp); Ford Special 1,172

(R. H. Kirkland); M.G. 1,250 (C. J. Penberthy);

M.G. 1,250 (J. H. Pool); Jowett Bradford 1,005

(E. H. Dennis); M.G. TC 1,250 (L. J. Saundercook);

Austin 800 (R. S. Prout); Vauxhall 1,507 (I. T.

Bale); Morris 1,550 (J. S. Bacon); Triumph Special

1,943 (S. P. Briginshaw); Lagonda 4,500 (J. G. S.

King).

Entries 166.  non starters 15.  non finishers 34.

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

The Land's End Trial, 16-17 April 1954

HUSTYN HILL WAS

THE WORST

LONDON-LAND'S END TESTS

FOIL ACE RIDERS

Test hills in the London to

Land's End motor reliability trial

on Saturday were all up to their

maximum standard of trickiness

and although the weather was the

best since the war, many ace riders

failed to take all the hills without

dropping points.

Hustyn Hill at Wadebridge was

responsible for the biggest number

of failures and a stream running

down it made the surface slippery

and greasy.

There were 388 entrants in this,

the 34th run organised by the

Motor Cycling Club. Though 20

failed to start, 208 solo motor-

cycles, 27 combinations, two three-

wheelers and 131 cars took the

road. Of the total, 28 solos, four

combinations, one three-wheeler,

and 22 cars failed to finish.

First-class awards have been

claimed by 48 solos, four combina-

ations and 44 cars; second-class by

46 solos, three combinations and 31

cars; third-class by 47 solos, 12

combinations and 24 cars, and one

three-wheeler.

Cornish Guardian and Saltash Gazette and Cornwall County Chronicle (Bodmin, Cornwall, England) Thursday 22 Apr 1954, Page 10

 

Can anybody give the results of this event? Possibly Autosport, 23 April 1954?

 

Looking for information on this Singer? Is this Beggar's Roost? Was this picture published by Autocar at the time?

https://www.motorspo...ce_type_id=1135

 

https://www.motorspo...Trial&year=1954

 

#247 Morgan, KWP 127

#248 Ford Special, KOC 693

#249 Ford Popular, OFJ 616

#252 Dellow, FJN 97

#260 Austin Ten, GYE 563

#261 Standard Vanguard

#266 HRG, ECX 450

#269 Allard 3.9-litre, JYH 613, R. J. Harris (ex-Tony Rumfitt) 

#281 Renault, PUO 257

#282 M.G., HMX 318

#284 Ford Popular, SAF 729

#289 Vauxhall, TML 169

#304 Austin A40 Somerset convertible, OGL 423

#306 Morris Minor, NAD 351

#307 Singer, HEA 770

#309 Ford, AAF 550

#312 Austin A30, NOX 524

#316 Morgan, JNP 239

#321 Frazer-Nash, PD 4724

#341 Tucker M.G., ORO 4, H. W. Tucker Peake

#342 Jaguar XK120, GJB 419

#356, HWL 815

#367 Trojan, KM 9763

#369 Ford, LOR 855

#374 Morgan, NYU 993

Dellow, LCL 787, probably A. E. Cleghorn

Ford, XTW 406

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 13 February 2022 - 16:18.

[Rupertlt1]

JANUARY 1-2, 1954.—M.C.C. Exeter Trial

Some random entries compiled from various sources:

#178 Renault, MDF 379, K. W. Hobbs

#187 Ford Popular, RTF 611, J. Cuff

#190 Morgan, KNP 5, J. Moore

#194 Dellow, LDF 22, M. Hazelwood

#199 Aero Minx s, CLX 827, D. Underwood

#207 Scarlet Runner, NNK 3, J. Tucker Peake

#208 Tucker M.G., ORO 4, H. W. Tucker Peake

#209 Dellow, LLN 943, E. G. Walsh

#210 Dellow, LCL 787, A. E. Cleghorn

#213 Dellow, HWP 935, W. F. Mead

#234 Bartlett Special, KRJ 7, L. Gutteridge

#248 M.G. TD, UMG 760, T. D. H. Rutter 

#254 Jowett Javelin, KLR 363, T. J. Sawell

#256 M.G. Midget, MPL 484, G. N. Dear

#259 Dellow, UVX 999

#260 Ford Prefect, EGN 112, E. J. W. Snusher

#268 LYC 819, L. G. Bennett

#295 Allard, JYH 613, R. J. Harris

#298 Ford Special, MUO 944, H. G. Ackland

 

M.C.C. EXETER TRIAL

Results of the M.C.C.'s Exeter Trial

on 1st/2nd January have now been

announced. In so far as they affect car

entrants, they are as follows:

First-Class Awards: W. W. Wykes (Dellow S),

Mrs. M. E. Woodall (Ford), A. A. Wilson-Gunn

(Dellow), G. M. Sharp (Dellow), J. Tucker Peake

(Scarlet Runner), H. W. Tucker Peake (Tucker-

M.G.), W. F. Mead (Dellow S), W. E. Wonnacot

(L.R.G. Spl.), E. G. Smith (A.R.H. Spl), D. S.

Price (Dellow S), D. E. Read (Dellow), H. H.

Alderton (Ford), E. D. Scobey (Dellow S), C. R.

Parsons (Dellow), W. G. Penhale (Ford Spl.),

R. Willson (Dellow), H. G. Ackland (Ford), L. R.

Gear (L.R.G. Spl.).

Second-Class Awards: A. C. Hobbs (Morgan),

J. Moore (Morgan), W. A. G. Goodall (Morgan),

D. Underwood (Aero-Minx S), W. J. Haward

(Bayliss-Thomas), C. F. Crossby (Vauxhall S)

A. E. Cleghorn (Dellow), A. C. Westwood (Dellow),

H. W. Inderwick (Batten V8), B. W. J. Hindes

(Dellow), H. G. W. Kendrick (Ford Popular), J. H.

Ahern (Morgan), C. J. Girling (Allard), A. E. H.

Parsons (Dellow), C. G. Faber (Renault), F. P.

Barker (Frazer-Nash), D. G. Fleming (Hillman),

Mrs. E. N. G. Parsons (Dellow), J. B. Banbury

(B.H.M.), I. J. Cruikshank (Morris Spl.).

Third-Class Awards: R. M. Barford (Bradford

Utility), D. J. Parsons (Frazer-Nash), K. W.

Hobbs (Renault), P. Hewins (Vauxhall), P. Small

(Austin A30), A. F. Rollason (Allard), G. R. Allen

(Triumph Mayflower), J. P. Davis (Allard), E. G.

Walsh (Dellow ), K. B. Shaw (Morris), D. C.

Mitchell (H.R.G.), Miss P. J. Roake (M.G. TD)

F. W. Scott (M.G.). M. J. Lawrence (M.G. TC),

F. G. Ruggles (M.G. TD), The Earl of Northesk

(Jaguar XK l20), F. Downs (Sunbeam-Talbot),

G. L. Gutteridge (Bartlett Spl.), C. R. Price

(Pelikan), A. G. Norgard (H.R.G.), E. W. James

(Morgan), P. Garnier (Morgan), J. H. L. Bingham

(Ford Anglia), H. J. Kingswell (Austin A40).

T. D. H. Rutter (M.G. TD), A. H. Baker (Land

Rover), R. F. Sear (M.G.), E. J. W. Snusher

(Ford), S. H. Goddard (Austin A30), J. R. Temple-

ton (Dellow), E. J. Kehoe (Buckler), R. W.

Woolaway (Dellow), I. T. Bale (Vauxhall), R. J.

Harris (Allard), W. Ivey-Mollard (M.G.).

Team Championship (Cars): J. Tucker Peake,

H. W. Tucker Peake and C. F. Crossby.

Triple Award, 1953 (Cars): W. F. Mead (Dellow S).        

Autosport, 22 January 1954, Page 108

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 06 February 2022 - 06:39.

[Rupertlt1]

1952:

M.C.C. EDINBURGH RALLY

(30th/31st May)

Provisional Results

Class Winners: C. M. Seward (M.G.), P. H. G.

Morgan (Morgan), D. O'M. Taylor (Jaguar).

First Class Awards (Cars): H. Harrop (Triumph),

C. M. Seward (M.G.), P. P. Ford (Vauxhall),

P. H. G. Morgan (Morgan), W. A. G. Goodall

(Morgan), H. B. Woodall, (Ford), F. B. Copeland

(Austin), R. Davis (Austin), K. F. A. Walker

(Triumph), D. J. Farquharson (Jaguar), H. J.

Finden (Lagonda), P. A. Taylor (M.G.), R. H.

Ellis (Wolseley), C. F. Share (Jowett), R. F.

Vanderpump (Hillman), J. W. Bowdage (Allard),

Dr. B. H. Goodrich (Jowett), W. L. Butler

(Allard), P. G. Cooper (Hillman), R. E. Griffiths

(Sunbeam-Talbot), A. E. H. Parsons (Ford), D.

O'M. Taylor (Jaguar).

Second Class Awards (Cars): W. L. T. Winder

(Jowett), D. N. Herbert (Hillman), R. Sidwell

(M.G.),  R. E. Wright (Dyna-Panhard), F. S.

Whitfield (S.S. Jaguar), M. Biberfield (Morgan),

B. H. Thompson (Alvis), L. Sims (Riley), J. P.

Davis (Allard), W. E. Kendrick (M.G.), H. G. W.

Kendrick (M.G.), L. J. Spiller (Hillman), A. D. C.

Gordon (H.R.G.), B. A. Roy (Morgan), F. C. W.

Emery (Jaguar), H. W. Underhill (Bentley), K. B.

Shaw (Morris) A. Turner (Riley), P. C. Brand

(Triumph), A. S. Lusty (M.G.), F. Cartwright-

Williams (Triumph), G. Howard-Sorrell (Ford),

A. G. Norgard (Riley), D. S. Price (Dellow), J.

Clarke (Dellow), A. G. Cooper (Triumph), W.

Slocombe (Jaguar), G. W. Cottle (Lancia).

Third Class Awards: N. F. Walker (Chrysler),

J. Carefoot (Lancia), Capt. J. G. Searle (Ford),

H. Palmer (Standard), P. H. Thompson (Alvis),

C. J. McCann (Morgan), J. E. de Looper (Ford),

H. Thornton (Lea-Francis), S. W. Facks (Lea-

Francis), W. F. Mead (Jaguar), Sir E. D. W.

Verner (H.R.G.), B. Fisher (Riley), D. C.

Mitchell (H.R.G.), W. S. Bennett (M.G.), H. M.

Yeates (Riley), N. Freeman (Jowett), R. J.

Thurgood (H.R.G.), I. A. Reid (M.G.).

Team Award: Morgan Plus-Four Team: P. H. G.

Morgan, W. A. G. Goodall, C. J. McCann.

Autosport, 13 June 1952, Page 765

 

Notes: 151 entries. P. H. G. Morgan is Peter Morgan of the Morgan car company; P. G. Cooper is Peter Cooper with co-driver O. L. Leighton; R. E. Griffiths is Ron Griffiths with co-driver Lyndal Abbott; R. Sidwell is Roland Sidwell; L. Sims is Lyndon Sims.

R. J. Thurgood is Roderick John Thurgood (1929-2002), shortly to become Autosport correspondent in Canada —  he contributed an article published on 3rd October 1952: "Racing in Canada" — belated coverage of the Edenvale, Ontario, circuit meeting, Sports Car Trophy Races, 2 August 1952. (An unattributed photograph from the same meeting appeared in Autosport, 15 August 1952.) The article also included a photograph with the following caption:

NEW "SEVENS" : A team of three A30 Austins which were placed 1-2-3

and won the production car team award at the Grand Island Grand Prix

on 30th August, organized by the S.C.C. of America.

Thurgood is known to have acquired a red Dellow Mk2 trials car (with doors) in Canada in 1952 (1953 Ontario registration 845F3) — possibly the only one of its type in the country — which was first seen parked at Edenvale, 2 August 1952, and subsequently on local events. Much later the car passed through the hands of dealer Lincoln Kinsman and was sold to a customer near Kitchener, Ontario, circa 1970 (advertised in Canada Track & Traffic, September 1970). Nothing has been heard of it since.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 16 August 2023 - 04:16.

[Rupertlt1]

1955:

ldeal Easter Weather for the M.C.C.'s Thirty-fifth

Land's End Trial

The 35th edition of the Motor Cycling Club's annual classic, the

Land's End Trial, coincided with a very welcome spell of ideal

motoring weather, and this, with the rain that had fallen previously

leaving the hills in prime condition, made the going just right

for an enjoyable M.C.C. week-end in the West Country.

The route—and the hills—differed little from previous years,

only one new one being included. This was Treworgie, not far

from Bude, and was a tricky, twisty climb that started with a

water splash, calculated to cause plenty of spin from the beginning,

followed by two narrow hairpins with rock walls. After the three

initial routes from Virginia Water, Kenilworth and Launceston

had converged on Taunton for breakfast, competitors went on

from hill to hill, right down the north Somerset, Devon and

Cornish coast to the final control at the Land's End Hotel. At

Beggar's Roost, Darracott, Hustyn and Bluehills Mine, huge

crowds of spectators had turned out to see the fun and as usual

the biggest cheers were for the ancient Trojans of A. F. Scroggs

and N. M. Arnold-Forster: the low bottom gears, two-stroke low-

speed torque and, above all, the solid back axles made most of

their climbs impressively easy.

Out of the 157 car entries there were 12 non-starters, claims

for 61 first-class awards, 22 second-class and 16 third-class and

there were no less than 37 retirements! A "Land's End" well

up to standard.

S. P. S.

Autosport, 22 April 1955, Page 493

 

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Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 February 2022 - 04:18.

[Rupertlt1]

When did the British Trial Drivers' Association become the British Trial and Rally Drivers' Association?

 

RGDS RLT

[Tim Murray]

This article implies it was 1953, when the BTRDA Rallies Committee was set up. The BTRDA Gold Star and Silver Star rally championships were both run for the first time the following year. It doesn’t make clear exactly when the organisation officially changed its name, though.

https://btrda.com/wp...RDA-Feature.pdf

[Rupertlt1]

This article says 1957:

 

https://www.motorspo...-of-the-clubman

 

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[Rupertlt1]

 

I think this is the Land's End Trial, 20 April 1957?

A. C. Westwood was on this event.

 

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Edited by Rupertlt1, 05 February 2024 - 11:21.

[Rupertlt1]

I suspect this is 2 December 1951? See 1:58 for the Cotton of Tony Rumfitt, NPE 797 (Surrey)?

Started from the Bell Inn, Codicote, Hertfordshire on the Welwyn-Hitchin road?

M.G. TD, UMG 124, fairly new, so must be 1950 or later?

7 December 1952 starting from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire?

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 16 December 2024 - 06:29.