Knockhill 24th August 2014 : Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Jim Clark’s British Touring Car success.
Not an exact model of one driven at Charterhall
February 17th Scottish SCC Rally
February 19th Newcastle & DMC Trial
February 19th Lothian CC Gymkhana
February 25-26th Berwick & DMC Night Rally
February 26th Edinburgh University Driving Test
February 19th Newcastle & DMC Trial
February 19th Lothian CC Gymkhana
February 25-26th Berwick & DMC Night Rally
February 26th Edinburgh University Driving Test
There is a film of this meeting commissioned by St Andrew’s Motors (SAM) and produced by George Cummin and colleagues of the Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers Association (ACA). A detailed description of the sequences can be found on the Yorkshire Film Archive website - Film ID NEFA 21288 titled "It's that SAM again 1956!" LINK.
I have been unable to watch this film however interspersed between the programme pages are some relevant notes from the Film Description.
One Ecurie Ecosse D-Type parked up at the Castle Hotel (photo George Gordon, on left)
Film ID NEFA 21288 - opening sequence shows spectators, motorbikes and car owners milling around in the car park area. There is a shot in the paddock of #19 "Bristol-Barb" registration LBU 349 which is indicated as being a converted Mark II Cooper Bristol with a distinctive one-piece shell.
The above image was originally posted to Flickr by Thomas's Pics. It was taken at the NEC Classic Car Show 2015 on 14 November 2015.
The image file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Please follow this LINK to find out how to use this image which should not be copied from this my 1956 web page.
Film ID NEFA 21288 - #59 is shown being re-loaded onto a truck . Competitor #18 registration CES 574 is parked in the paddock along with #58 driver checking over his car.
The image file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Please follow this LINK to find out how to use this image which should not be copied from this my 1956 web page.
Film ID NEFA 21288 - #59 is shown being re-loaded onto a truck . Competitor #18 registration CES 574 is parked in the paddock along with #58 driver checking over his car.
Film ID NEFA 21288 - shots of Event 1 including one or two specials. #3 E. Harris Gilbert is racing without a door. Brian Naylor #21 wins the race in his Maserati. A mechanic is checking car "Bristol-Barb" #19 in the pits. A windscreen is cleaned on Lewis Fraser's #22 Lotus Eleven registration HGS 6, see Crimond 16th June below. For Event 2 a row of motorbikes set off from the grid and one bike fails to start initially. Shots follow bikes racing around the circuit with #18 Bob McIntyre leading and winning.
Film ID NEFA 21288 - For Event 3 sports cars up to 2700cc race around the track in a 10-lap race. Suddenly there is a crash when a car leaves the track at Kames Curve. Tragically #34 driver John Bain is killed in the accident with #51 Austin Healey driven by R. E. Evans also involved in the crash. Mechanics and race officials rush to deal with the crashed cars as other competitors continue to race on the circuit. Shots record first #34 and then both damaged cars involved in the crash.
Film ID NEFA 21288 - For Event 4 the 350cc class motorcycle race is seen underway. The winner of the race is #27 Buchan on a Norton.
Film ID NEFA 21288 - Back in the Paddock, the iconic Jaguar D-type cars of Ecurie Ecosse are being unloaded from their distinctive transporter (pasted with a poster advert for ‘Top Gear’), ready for Event 5. The cars are seen heading for the grid. A small boy is seated in #61 Tommy Dickson's Cooper. Shots include general views of the back straights and Tofts Turn as the three D-types race around well in the lead of the other cars. #41 Ninian Sanderson is first over the finish line. A brief shot of the small child in a racing car (again) follows.
John Lawrence ready for his first race in the D-Type above and below (photos George Gordon)
Two of the Ecurie Ecosse D_Types (photo George Gordon)
Film ID NEFA 21288 - For Event 6 there is a big line up of motorcycles. One rider fails to start. The leader is #20 McIntyre (who is the race winner). Along the back stretch, competitor #23 breaks down and he leaves the track. He pushes his bike off the circuit and watches the rest of the race.
Film ID NEFA 21288 - For Event 7 #59, J. N. Johnson, is pushed to the starting grid smiling at the camera. The race starts and includes the three D-type Jaguars, one driven by Ron Flockhart. Shots of the race from various points along the circuit follow. A crowd watch beside the track. #42 Ron Flockhart was the winner. [very distant shots of racing in this sequence]
The accident damaged #51 is towed away at the end of the racing day. A crowd of people surround the gleaming Jaguars. The commentary states that “they are looking at the car that subsequently won the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours with Sanderson and Flockhart as drivers”. Close-up of the steering wheel of one of the Jaguars. The cars are then loaded back into their distinctive transporter coach ‘stable’. Ian Munn's #23 TVR is on a flat-bed trailer ready to go. All the spectators’ cars gradually drive away from Charterhall in one long line.
The accident damaged #51 is towed away at the end of the racing day. A crowd of people surround the gleaming Jaguars. The commentary states that “they are looking at the car that subsequently won the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours with Sanderson and Flockhart as drivers”. Close-up of the steering wheel of one of the Jaguars. The cars are then loaded back into their distinctive transporter coach ‘stable’. Ian Munn's #23 TVR is on a flat-bed trailer ready to go. All the spectators’ cars gradually drive away from Charterhall in one long line.
Report in Autosport May 4th
J.K. Hunter's Jaguar C-type #67 is the Works lightweight which finished 2nd at Le Mans 1953 driven by Moss/Walker.
Under the ownership of J. K. Hunter from 1954, I would be very keen to see a reference to the car being driven by anyone other
than Freddy Strang, John Lawrence and Keith Hall.
Under the ownership of J. K. Hunter from 1954, I would be very keen to see a reference to the car being driven by anyone other
than Freddy Strang, John Lawrence and Keith Hall.
1953 Le Mans winning Works lightweight Jaguar C-type
on Ian Scott-Watson's D.K.W. from the Vol.1 No.2 May 1956 B.M.R.C. Bulletin
I'm sure it is Ian's D.K.W. referred to in this 1955 Film Shotlist
I'm sure it is Ian's D.K.W. referred to in this 1955 Film Shotlist
3rd June 1956 at Stobs Camp is believed to be Jim Clark's first Sprint.
There is a film by John Jopling on YouTube from 1990-1 showing what it was like sprinting along the tarmac where the buildings would have been.
LINK
There is a film by John Jopling on YouTube from 1990-1 showing what it was like sprinting along the tarmac where the buildings would have been.
LINK
from B.M.R.C. Bulletins May and June '56
Members of the B.M.R.C. met at Brunton Aerodrome to test cars on 10th June
The Volkswagen referred to above is Charlie Harrison's Beetle.
Interestingly on 3rd July 2021 a Lombard Rally Festival was due to be run in front of fans at Brunton Airfield.
The demonstration event would run on a three-mile special stage with a field of over 70 cars tackling the stage several times throughout the day.
Star entries included Louise Aitken-Walker in a Ford Escort Mk2.
The demonstration event would run on a three-mile special stage with a field of over 70 cars tackling the stage several times throughout the day.
Star entries included Louise Aitken-Walker in a Ford Escort Mk2.
future Border Reivers D-type being advertised on 15th June
Car No.4 is the one of interest here but many competitors below were coming to Charterhall at this time.
Secretary Miss Noreen Garvie mentioned above was apparently not the only cousin of Jim to be present
This often seen photograph looks to be Event 2 for Sports Cars up to 1500cc. I have been told that the reason for the
photograph was to show #30 MGA Twin Cam of John Campbell who was Manager of P.N. Shinnie Ltd. in Aberdeen.
Two weeks later Jim, as the nonchalant DKW mechanic, and Lewis Fraser in the Lotus Climax would meet at Charterhall (see below).
photograph was to show #30 MGA Twin Cam of John Campbell who was Manager of P.N. Shinnie Ltd. in Aberdeen.
Two weeks later Jim, as the nonchalant DKW mechanic, and Lewis Fraser in the Lotus Climax would meet at Charterhall (see below).
PRELIMINARY OR OFFICIAL RESULTS NOT FOUND
MlinkS to "A star is born" story by David Ross 10th January 2008. LINK to "50 years ago today . . . . ." story in the Scotsman
perhaps this is "Old Nellie" the converted Bedford Duple bodied bus of the Border Reivers sent to Le Mans?
#2 Lotus Mk8/MG 867 BMX J. Higham for Ecurie White Rose
#6 F.M.C. J.S. McCaig for Forth Motor Co.
#6 F.M.C. J.S. McCaig for Forth Motor Co.
Mechanic Jimmy Clark leans against his Sunbeam with #5 D.K.W. Ian Scott-Watson for Ecurie Agricole.
The Sunbeam MkIII giving the look of a two tone finish however contours and light can be deceiving.
The Sunbeam MkIII giving the look of a two tone finish however contours and light can be deceiving.
from the BMRC Bulletin July 1956 : WOT! NO DOGS! Unkind wags may be excused from thinking that the
Secretary is driving a Dachshund instead of a D.K.W. as he rests his nearside Michelin Xs on Tofts Turn
Secretary is driving a Dachshund instead of a D.K.W. as he rests his nearside Michelin Xs on Tofts Turn
nine more to go !
#9 F.M.C. R.N. Ross and the Border Reivers transporter in the background
#11 Cooper Climax SZ 4423 A. McMillan
#17 Buckler OS 9864 R.D. M'Cuthcheon
#17 Buckler OS 9864 R.D. M'Cuthcheon
#12 Lotus Climax
#12 Lotus Climax HGS 6 Lewis Fraser (soon to be bought by Tom Dickson of Perth)
#14 Lotus YTN 444 Keith Hall
LINK to the Bonhams 2006 Sale of this Ex-Keith Hall/Team Lotus, 1956 Lotus-Climax Sports-Racing Two-Seater - Chassis No. MKXI-171
LINK to the Bonhams 2006 Sale of this Ex-Keith Hall/Team Lotus, 1956 Lotus-Climax Sports-Racing Two-Seater - Chassis No. MKXI-171
#20 Thomas Bleasdale Riley Saloon (soon to own #6 Lewis Bramley's Lotus IX - see 26th August below)
#21 M.G. Special NTF 549 A. Caunt
Carlaw's of Glasgow van and Jim Clark's Sunbeam in the background
#21 M.G. Special NTF 549 A. Caunt
Carlaw's of Glasgow van and Jim Clark's Sunbeam in the background
#22 Lotus Maserati Brian Naylor
#24 T.V.R - M.G. I.S. Munn. Advertisement below from May 1957
#25 S. Levitt JGE 300 Hopper Special
#25 S. Levitt JGE 300 Hopper Special
#9 F.M.C. R.N. Ross
#9 F.M.C. R.N. Ross
#48 Lotus Climax Jimmy Somervail for Border Reivers
#4 Austin Healey M.L. Bailey for Ecurie White Rose in the background
#27 Vauxhall 30/98 (1927) AOA 2 A.R. Miller
#5 D.K.W. Ian Scott-Watson in the background
#5 D.K.W. Ian Scott-Watson in the background
#28 Vauxhall 30/98 (1924) Pat Melville
#40 Rover Special J.F. Gibbon
#41 Austin Healey 100S Ted Evans for B.L. Carlaw
The 1st June 2013 edition of The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition) carried an interesting feature "Back in the Driving Seat after 50 years". Ted Evans at 91 years of age was reunited with his Austin Healey 100S thanks to the efforts of his granddaughter Kirsty Duncan. LINK
#43 Jaguar J. Brodie
#31 Triumph T.R. 2 J.W. Pasco Watson
#35 Swallow Doretti David Bertram
#38 Porsche Peter Hughes
#49 Austin Healey 100S John Somervail for Border Reivers
#49 Austin Healey 100S John Somervail for Border Reivers
#49 Austin Healey 100S John Somervail for Border Reivers
Report in Autosport July 13th
July 6-7th Scarborough & District MC
Silverstone 14th July 1956
It was good in those days!
John Lawrence in J.K. Hunter's C-Type Jaguar XKC053 (photo George Gordon)
J.K. Hunter's C-Type XKC053 at the Wakes Garage, Cullen (3 photos above George Gordon, on right and seated)
August 18/19th 55 Car Club Grouse Rally report in Autosport September 7th
RESULTS AND REPORT TO FOLLOW
The event started two hours late due to flooding, with Paddock Bend left under two feet of water following a cloudburst.
Cars Heat 1 (8 laps/16 miles)
1st 4 Jimmy Somervail 59.0 mph
2nd 9 A.S. Chambers
3rd 15 Bill Turnbull
Cars Heat 1 (8 laps/16 miles)
1st 4 Jimmy Somervail 59.0 mph
2nd 9 A.S. Chambers
3rd 15 Bill Turnbull
Cars Heat 2 (8 laps/16 miles)
1st 29 J. Mackay 64.2 mph
2nd 6 Lewis Bramley (see Heat 1 entrants and owner's history with photos below)
3rd 22 Ian Munn
Note: M.G. Barrow raced a 1250cc MG
1st 29 J. Mackay 64.2 mph
2nd 6 Lewis Bramley (see Heat 1 entrants and owner's history with photos below)
3rd 22 Ian Munn
Note: M.G. Barrow raced a 1250cc MG
Cars Heat 3 (8 laps/16 miles)
1st 52 R. Campbell 68.3 mph
2nd 51 P.R. Proctor
3rd 47 W.P.S. Melville
1st 52 R. Campbell 68.3 mph
2nd 51 P.R. Proctor
3rd 47 W.P.S. Melville
Cars Final (10 laps/20 miles)
1st 29 J. Mackay Lotus-Ford 63.6 mph
2nd 23 T.G.S. Yule MG TC
3rd 22 Ian Munn TVR MG
4th 47 Pat Melville Vauxhall 30/98 4224cc
5th 52 R. Campbell Cooper Mk 8
6th 49 G.G. McDonald Bentley 4576cc
Note: #15 Bill Turnbull was leading at the end of Lap 8 but slowed when a chequered flag was inadvertently displayed
Note: Opinion was that #15, whilst being pressed by Mackay and Yule, may have stayed among the awards
1st 29 J. Mackay Lotus-Ford 63.6 mph
2nd 23 T.G.S. Yule MG TC
3rd 22 Ian Munn TVR MG
4th 47 Pat Melville Vauxhall 30/98 4224cc
5th 52 R. Campbell Cooper Mk 8
6th 49 G.G. McDonald Bentley 4576cc
Note: #15 Bill Turnbull was leading at the end of Lap 8 but slowed when a chequered flag was inadvertently displayed
Note: Opinion was that #15, whilst being pressed by Mackay and Yule, may have stayed among the awards
REFERENCES
1. Autosport September 7th 1956 "Aquacade at Charterhall"
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport September 7th 1956
None
1. Autosport September 7th 1956 "Aquacade at Charterhall"
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport September 7th 1956
None
Lewis Bramley's Lotus Mark Nine photographed by Graham Gauld at this event
Lewis Bramley's Lotus Mark Nine at Castle Combe (photos Rob Pennington)
23rd June 2023 Myreton Motor Museum, Aberlady, East Lothian
Report in Autosport 28th September
Noted in the original Myreton and Melrose Motor Museum booklet is that on 22nd September at Bedford Airfield 1956 Wing Commander Fred Sowrey attempted the first car speed record since before the war. The car comprised a MkVI Cooper chassis with fibreglass bodywork modelled on the works "streamliner". With a dry weight of 800 lb it was powered by a supercharged twin-cylinder 1097 c.c. J.A.P engine prepared under the supervision of Robin Jackson by Jim Clark (if only). I've been unable to find the entry for this Cooper-Ford at Charterhall or Turnberry although I did find Fred Sowrey winning the Aldridge-Riddle Trophy in a 996 Cooper at the Gosport A.C. Speed Trial on 26th April 1953. I thoroughly recommend any 2 or 4 wheeled enthusiast to wander through this museum and speak to the present curator - as you can see above she is knowledgeable and most helpful.
September N&DMC Monthly News Random Jottings : Vice Chairman J.H. Lawson has bought Keith Schellenberg's Barnato-Hassan 8-litre Bentley
29th September Charterhall National Race Meeting was cancelled owing to lack of entries
Berwick and District Motor Club Winfield Sprint 30th September
BMRC Brunton, Beadnell High Speed Reliability Trial 7th October
BMRC Brunton, Beadnell High Speed Reliability Trial 7th October
Jim's Entry Form for the BMRC 7th October Brunton, Beadnell High Speed Reliability Trial
Source of results is Darren Galpin at www.dlg.speedfreaks.org
Report in Autosport 19th October
Report in Autosport 19th October
The government introduced petrol rationing on 17th December. Supplies of fuel from the Middle East had been blocked ever since the President of Egypt, Gamal Abdul Nassar, took over the running of the Suez Canal in July.