From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Magazine page reporting on the SS Bournemouth Trial, the Scottish Anniversary Trial, and other motoring news.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161\1\ scan0026 | |
| Date | 3rd November 1936 | |
| November 3, 1936. 693 The Motor A Stiff SS {S. Smith} Bournemouth Trial Only two competitors come through with no loss of marks Race Drivers in Lighter Mood NO function can claim quite such a gathering of racing men and enthusiasts as the annual dinner of the British Racing Drivers' Club, the eighth of which was held last Friday at the Park Lane Hotel, with a fine attendance—some 400 strong. There was only one toast—"The Sport," proposed by Lieut.-Col. J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} C. T. Moore-Brabazon, M.C., M.P. In his inimitable bright and breezy way he reminisced and spoke of the thrill of handling a fast car, which has no comparison with any other sport in the world, except; perhaps, yachting. The chairman of the evening, Lord Howe, replied. In a more serious vein he said that it is a pity that the spirit of sportsmanship which is so strong in competition circles does not permeate to other road users. The guest list included some famous foreign drivers, Count Lurani, Taruffi and Kautz, apart from the leading British drivers. Subsequently, the Road Gold Star was awarded to "Bira," who had scored the greatest number of points amongst club members in road racing during the season, and the Track Star was awarded. to E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} W. Pacey. The Scottish Anniversary Trial THE anniversary trial of the Scottish Sporting Car Club is now an annual habit and 65 entries came forward for this year's event, which was held on Saturday last. Only four did not start from Duntocher Boulevard. The course was the popular Dunbartonshire Circuit, which was made more severe this year (although Saturday was dry) by the recent hurricanes which have swept Scotland. Lylestone was particularly tricky, and R. {Sir Henry Royce} Mickel (Wolseley) fouled the rough surface with his permanent jacks. The special test was held on the descent from Lylestone to Stoney-moulin, and was a cleverly-thought-out piece of work. Parked on line A, the driver had to leave his car and depress a switch; then he had to leap into his car, hurtle downhill about 400 yards, brake at line B, and finally depress a second switch. Thus, a driver registered his own time, and the competitors seemed unanimous about the fairness of the test. A few found difficulty with doors not meant for quick opening or doors that did not open at all, but it was noticed that one of the fastest times was clocked by James Anderson (Anderson Special), who was so handicapped that his passenger could not get into the car until the driver was seated. Fastest time was clocked by G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Murray Frame (Singer), but he was very little ahead of J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} N. L. Harrison (Ford V-8) and W. Keith Elliot (Riley). Chief Provisional Results—Chairman's Cup: G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Murray Frame (Singer). Best Performance Over 1,500 c.c.: J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} N. L. Harrison (Ford V-8); second, J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} P. Millar (Frazer-Nash-B.M.W.). Best Performance Under 1,500 c.c.: W. K. {Mr Kilner} Elliot (Riley); runner-up, J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} M. {Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Archer (Riley). Team Award: "C" team—G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} M. {Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Frame, W. K. {Mr Kilner} Elliot and T. L. McDonald (Singer). R. {Sir Henry Royce} J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} Hankinson (winner of the Premier Award) with his SS {S. Smith} Jaguar at the final check in Bournemouth. HEAVY rain made the chalky hills used in the SS {S. Smith} Car Club's Bournemouth Trial on Saturday more than usually difficult and only R. {Sir Henry Royce} J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} Hankinson (2½-litre Jaguar) and Mrs. V. {VIENNA} Hetherington (2½-litre Jaguar) managed to preserve clean records. They were the only competitors to gain first-class awards, and the former secured the Premier Award, the latter the Ladies' Prize. An added hazard was the route-finding competition, run in conjunction with the trial, in which competitors had to seek the shortest way from Ibberton Hill, the last observed section, to the Branksome Tower Hotel, the final check, through difficult country and Bournemouth's notoriously confusing outskirts. Local knowledge helped W. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} V. {VIENNA} Vaughan (SS {S. Smith} 90) to win this navigation test. A Bad Weather Start The trial started at Salisbury in a downpour, which considerably added to the difficulty of Here's How, the first hill, approached along a marshy track; so much so that there were seven failures. In the timed climb of Middle Down Miss B. Streather, driving a Jaguar 100, made the fastest ascent in 151 secs., and W. Hetherington recorded the best performance with his 2½-litre Jaguar saloon (14 secs.) in the acceleration test on Zig-Zag Hill, near Shaftesbury. The brake test near Fontwell Magna penalized several, and R. {Sir Henry Royce} J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} Hankinson was the outstanding performer in 8 3/5 secs. The last hill, Ibberton, was easily the worst, with loose stones on the church hairpin and slime above, and failed one-third of the field. It was touch and go for Mrs. Hetherington, but W. H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Langford (2½-litre Jaguar) and E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Triffitt (1½-litre Jaguar) were fast and confident. This well-run and popular event finished with a dinner-dance attended by over 130 members and friends. Short after-dinner speeches were made by the president, Mr. W. Lyons, Mr. E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} W. Rankin (hon. secretary) and Mr. A. {Mr Adams} C. Armstrong and Mr. J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Baldwin (both of The Motor); and Mrs. Lyons gave away the prizes. RESULTS Premier Award (best performance): R. {Sir Henry Royce} J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} Hankinson (2½-litre Jaguar). Ladies' Prize (best performance): Mrs. V. {VIENNA} Hetherington (2½-litre Jaguar). Navigation Test: W. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} V. {VIENNA} Vaughan (SS {S. Smith} 90). Second-class Awards: Miss B. Streather (SS {S. Smith} 100), W. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} V. {VIENNA} Vaughan (SS {S. Smith} 90), E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} P. Tucker (SS {S. Smith} 100), E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Triffitt (1½-litre Jaguar). President's Trophy (best performance during year): W. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} V. {VIENNA} Vaughan; runner-up, Mrs. V. {VIENNA} Hetherington. Cycle and Motor Cycle Show THIS week, the Cycle and Motor Cycle Show is being held at Olympia. Doors open daily, 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.; admission 2s., or 1s. after 6 p.m. A complete report of the motorcycle exhibits will be found in the current issue of our associated journal, Motor Cycling, price 3d. A pictorial review of the cycle exhibits is contained in the Special Show Number of Cycling, on sale to-morrow (price 3d.). c17 | ||