24th Vintage Sports Car Club Goodwood 2015
24th Vintage Sports Car Club Goodwood 2015 Vintage Car Race
Starts: 2015-10-15
Ends: 2015-10-15
Goodwood Estate
Chichester, West Sussex
UK
24th Vintage Sports Car Club Goodwood 2015
by Mark J Willison
Goodwood 24th Oct 15 Vintage Sports Car Club
Live axles and a light rain shower at Goodwood don't really make for the best of friends.
In an attempt to lessen the closed season, the VSCC Sprint and Handicap event is traditionally the finale of the year. The morning session, used as a sighting exercise for those unfamiliar with the circuit, consists of a timed standing start, followed by one flying lap against the clock. Subdivided into classes for standard, modified; sports and racing cars of varying engine sizes and if running a supercharger. There is also a handicap calculation, to level the playing field, so that driver skill maybe evaluated.
The original objective of the VSCC, when formed in October 1934, was to provide competition and social meeting for those with cars five years old or more. After further discussion and votes cast, the following year, it was ratified that the club would operate for cars post 31st December 1930. Effectively, to differentiate between Veteran cars. Supplementary Regs, in 1935, stipulated that cars could be classified between sports and racing. Cars could be 'stripped' for competition, but must have two seats, silencer and reverse gear.
Today, there are over 7,200 members and some thirty-five vents annually. As well as Sprints and Hill-climbs, there is a wide range of social events, including the odd meeting at various pubs across the country.
A light shower arrived just before lunch, just enough to wet the surface, and cause oil and rubber to rise to the surface, making things rather treacherous. Combined with 'live' axles, those without a diff, the rear wheels rotate at the same speed. This gives rise to some lurid slides, even in the dry. The advantage, however, is that the wheels always remain at right angles to the road surface.
It was good to meet George Shackleton again while I was standing on the bank on the outside of the Chicane. He's fully recovered, and only suffered saw knees for about a week after his shunt with the pit-wall at the Revival. (See my All Car Central report of The Revival.) He said that the car will be rebuilt over the winter, very thoroughly. Everything will be checked through. The engine hasn't run since, as after an impact, there's always the possibility that the crank may have shifted slightly, causing all manner of associated damage. He went on to say, that these older, slower revving cars are very tricky in the wet, as power arrives in 'lumps', and not exactly with the actuation of the accelerator pedal.
He mentioned the cause of the "off" was that he drove through some methanol exiting the Chicane, causing wheel-spin. Consequently, was that he got all four on the grass, after which, the Cooper started arguing with him about where it went.
Scrutineering and Noise test.
David Rose in his 1930 Morgan Super Sports Aero.
The Black Cross denotes a Novice Driver and must complete a prerequisite number of events before being awarded their full race licence.
Queuing for Pit Lane Green Light.
Doug Marr's 1938 Riley Sprite Replica with Chris Sutton-Scott-Tucker in 127 Alvis 12/50 SD behind.
Sam Perkins 1927 Alvis 12/50 SD
Locky McKenzie 26 Frazer Nash Super Sports. Being adjusted for the timing beam.
Alister Pugh in 1939 Frazer Nash/ BMW 328.
Sam Perkins 1927 Alvis 12/50 SD.
Alister Pugh in 1939 Frazer Nash/ BMW 328 again. The car has a beautiful rasp and crackling exhaust note.
Anthony Norton 1932 Alvis 12/50 TJ.
Andy Bush in his 1935 Riley TT Sprite Replica. The car is to his own design. It has a boat back, which differs to the original. The engine has Arrow 'rods, as rebuilds can be expensive, and he prefers to keep them within the cylinders! The chassis, engine and rear diff are all matching numbers.
Tim Wadsworth. 1954 Lagonda 2 LTR L/C Tourer.
(front to rear) 41 Harry College 1924 Vauxhall 30/98, 40 1934 Nigel Walder Lagonda M45 Tourer, N J Topliss (ent.)/ Ben Fidler (dvr.) 1935 ERA R4A and David Biggins Crossley Sports 19.6.
N J Topliss (ent.)/ Ben Fidler (dvr.) 1935 ERA R4A and David Biggins Crossley Sports 19.6.
close up of the lever-arm front suspension arrangement on the ERA. Such is the engineering of the ERA, some are still on the original lever-arms.
John Warden in his beautiful 'art deco' style 1937 Delage D6 Course.
The rear of the 1937 Delage D6 Course. Sadly, John had an 'off' later in the day, and did a fair amount of damage. I couldn't bear to take a photograph of it, and contributed to my decision to leave early.
R A R Smith/ Freddie Smith, 1936 Delahaye 135S.
Mrs S Foster/ William Lowe, 1931 Riley 9.
Ian Bingham, 1928 Frazer Nash Geoghegan Special.
O Way (Edward Way) 1911/18 Austin/ Hall-Scott EB4.
The Pugh's with their Frazer Nash/ BMW 328 waiting for another run.
Although not competing, a number of 'appropriate' cars are allowed to park in the paddock, to add to the atmosphere. This beautiful Bentley has a beautiful patina to it.
A small service over the lunch break.
Paddock shot of; 52 58 and 54.
1927 Austin Heavy 12/4 Windsor Saloon. A wonderful piece of history, completely un-restored and original condition.
1927 Austin Heavy 12/4 Windsor Saloon.
1927 Austin Heavy 12/4 Windsor Saloon.
The Pugh's enjoying a break in the Paddock.
Miss Francesca Wilton with 1935 Austin S/S.
N J Topliss/ Ben Fidler 1935 ERA R4A being push-started at the top of the pit-lane.
A locally owned Lanchester dropped in for an appearance. I was rather taken with the document holder on the door panel. Or, perhaps, for Sir's Financial Times?
The string winding caught my eye on the wheel.
Riley with Jaguar MkII beside.
Miss R Ross/ Richard Ashford 1948 Cooper T9. The decision was made to swap cogs (ratio's) for the afternoon run. Made for a fairly busy lunch-break. 333- Detail of the same car- Mirrors mounted on the front leaf spring.
Post lunch track action; David Lamb 1929 Riley Brooklands, exiting the Chicane , at the top of the Pit Straight.
D J Furnell/ Mrs Claire Furnell-Williams, 1930/1931 Austin 7 'The Toy'.
Andrew Messent 1927 Morgan Super Aero.
David Lamb 1929 Riley Brooklands.
Andy Bush 1935 Riley TT Sprite Replica. (looks like off-side rear's on the saw tooth kerb?)
The Pugh's 'Nash/ 328.
Mrs S Foster/ Raymond Knight 1931 Riley 9.
The queue for the off.
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