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Lewes Speed Trials

January 01, 1970

The Lewes Speed Trials were speed trials held on a defunct course in Lewes, Sussex, England, sometimes known as "The Motor Road."

The racecourse used for the trials

History edit

The first meeting took place on 27 July 1924, on "a private road near Lewes", location unidentified. The event was organised by the Brighton & Hove Motor Cycle and Light Car Club, on a quarter-mile course. Fastest time of the day was set by J.A. Hall, Frazer Nash-GN, in a time of 16.6 secs.[1]

"Speed trials were held on the Race Hill at Lewes three or four times a year from 1925 to 1939, at the instance of the Brighton & Hove MC, the Kent & Sussex LCC, the Bugatti Owners' Club and the Vintage Sports Car Club,..."[2]

In 1933 The Autocar reported:

"The course bends slightly to the left, is one-third of a mile long, narrow, none too smooth, and slightly uphill. It leads directly off the London-Newhaven road just before reaching Lewes."[3]

Jean Bugatti attended the races on 21 October 1933.[4] Denis Jenkinson, motor racing journalist, attended his first motor sport event here in 1936.[5] The Autocar reported from the meeting on 12 June 1937: "The first appearance in competition of the new four-wheel independent-suspension Atalanta was at Lewes. G.A.T. Weldon drove this 1½-litre model."[6] Bill Boddy, editor of Motor Sport, drove the original HRG sports car, 1,497 c.c., at Lewes on 4 September 1937 with a best time of 27.4 sec, finishing third in the novices class.[7] On 15 July 1939, Sydney Allard took a class win in a time of 22.12 secs.[8]

The Lewes Record edit

Comparisons of times recorded at different meetings and by different clubs are problematic. There were differences in the method of timing (the electric Bachelier method favoured by the Bugatti O.C. allowed the competitor to start in his own time) and even differences in the length of the course.[9]

Lewes Speed Trials past winners edit

Year Driver Vehicle Time Club Notes
1932 R.G.J. Nash Frazer Nash Terror 20.0 sec R Kent & Sussex LCC [10] 7 May
N.W. Gardiner Delage 22.7 sec Bugatti O.C. [11] 11 June
R.G.J. Nash Frazer Nash Terror 20.2 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [12] 18 June
R.G.J. Nash Frazer Nash Terror 21.0 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [13] 10 September
1933 R.G.J. Nash Nash Special 21.0 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [14] 13 May
R.G.J. Nash Nash Special 21.0 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [15] 25 June
R.G.J. Nash Anzani-Nash Special 21.0 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [16] 9 September
Richard Nash Anzani-Nash The Spook 20.4 sec Bugatti O.C. [17] 21 October
1934 R.G.J. Nash Anzani-Nash 1,496 c.c. 22.4 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [18] 12 May
John Bolster Bolster Special 20.2 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [19] 16 June
R.G.J. Nash Nash Special 21.6 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [20] 26 August
Charles Martin Bugatti 2.3 20.13 sec Bugatti O.C. [21] 8 September
1935 A.G. Bainton Bugatti 11⁄2-litre Kent & Sussex LCC [22] 11 May
S.E. Cummings Vauxhall-Villiers S/C 19.4 sec R Kent & Sussex LCC [23] 15 June
Kent & Sussex LCC 24 August
S.E. Cummings Vauxhall-Villiers S/C 18.13 sec R Bugatti O.C. [24] 7 September
1936 R.G.J. Nash Frazer-Nash-Union Special 19.06 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [25] 9 May
Robin Jackson Alta 1,500 c.c. #17 19.18 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [26] 13 June
A.G. Bainton Bugatti 2.3-litre S/C 20.7 sec Bugatti O.C. [27] 15 August
Geoffrey Taylor Alta 1,488 c.c. 19.81 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [28] 22 August
1937 J. Lemon Burton Bugatti 2.3-litre 19.12 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [29] 8 May
Geoffrey Taylor Alta 19.3 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [30] 12 June
Geoffrey Taylor Alta 2-litre 18.75 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [31] 21 August
Arthur Baron Bugatti 3,300 c.c. S/C 18.4 sec Bugatti O.C. [32] 4 September
1938 Arthur Baron Bugatti 3,300 c.c. 18.61 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [33] 7 May
John Bolster Bolster Special 19.32 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [34] 11 June
H. Whitfield-Semmence Semmence-Special-A.C. 22.0 sec Vintage S.C.C. [35] 9 July
Peter Monkhouse E.R.A. 11⁄2-litre 18.27 sec R Kent & Sussex LCC [36] 20 August
1939 Norman Lewis Bugatti 2,300 c.c. 18.47 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [37] 13 May
Ned Lewis Bugatti 2,300 c.c. 18.88 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [38] 17 June
Stuart Wilton M.G. 21.60 sec Vintage S.C.C. [39] 15 July
Arthur Baron Bugatti 3,300 c.c. 18.75 sec Kent & Sussex LCC [40] 19 August

Key: R = Course Record; S/C = Supercharged.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ T.R. Nicholson, Sprint – Speed Hillclimbs and Speed Trials in Britain: 1899-1925, Page 236, David & Charles, 1969.
  2. ^ T.R. Nicholson, Sprint – Speed Hillclimbs and Speed Trials in Britain: 1899-1925, Page 241, David & Charles, 1969.
  3. ^ The Autocar, 27 October 1933, Page 853.
  4. ^ The Autocar, 27 October 1933, Page 853.
  5. ^ D.S.J. letter to Motor Sport, November 1939, Page 308.
  6. ^ The Autocar, 18 June 1937, Pages 1196–1197, including picture.
  7. ^ Motor Sport, October 1937, Pages 433–434; Bugatti Owners' Club Lewes Speed Trials, Saturday 4 September 1937, Results.
  8. ^ Motor Sport, August 1939, Page 232.
  9. ^ Autocar, 28 August 1936, Pages 396–397.
  10. ^ Motor Sport, June 1932, Pages 358–359. For an interview with R.G.J. Nash see Motor Sport, December 1958, Pages 825–826.
  11. ^ The Autocar, 17 June 1932, Pages 1020–1021; Motor Sport, July 1932, Page 431. For N.W. Gardiner see also: Great Auclum National Speed Hill Climb.
  12. ^ Motor Sport, July 1932, Pages 431–432.
  13. ^ Motor Sport, October 1932, Page 556.
  14. ^ Motor Sport, June 1933, Page 388.
  15. ^ Motor Sport, August 1933, Page 467.
  16. ^ Motor Sport, October 1933, Pages 554–555.
  17. ^ The Autocar, 27 October 1933, Page 853.
  18. ^ Motor Sport, June 1934, Page 374.
  19. ^ The Autocar, 22 June 1934, Page 1089. For an obituary of Richard Bolster, brother of John Bolster, see: Motor Sport, September 1941, Page 240.
  20. ^ Motor Sport, September 1934, Page 526.
  21. ^ Motor Sport, October 1934, Page 572. Two runs by Martin were "unofficial" and FTD went to A.H.L. Eccles in 21.28 sec.
  22. ^ The Autocar, 17 May 1935, Page 984.
  23. ^ Motor Sport, July 1935, Page 417.
  24. ^ Motor Sport, October 1935, Page 553.
  25. ^ Motor Sport, June 1936, Page 314; See also: J.V. Hewes, "The Lewes Races," The Motor, 22 November 1944, Pages 228–290.
  26. ^ The Autocar, 19 June 1936, Page 1150. 586.6 yard course.
  27. ^ Motor Sport, September 1936, Page 428.
  28. ^ Motor Sport, September 1936, Page 435.
  29. ^ Motor Sport, June 1937, Page 257.
  30. ^ Motor Sport, July 1937, Page 308.
  31. ^ The Autocar, 27 August 1937, Page 394 (see Page 386 for photograph); Motor Sport, September 1937, Pages 376–377.
  32. ^ Bugatti Owners' Club Lewes Speed Trials, Saturday 4 September 1937, Results.
  33. ^ Motor Sport, June 1938, Page 226.
  34. ^ The Autocar, 17 June 1938, Page 1109.
  35. ^ Motor Sport, August 1938, Page 296.
  36. ^ The Autocar, 26 August 1938, Page 389. For an article on Peter Monkhouse see: Motor Sport, February 1947, Pages 35, 38.
  37. ^ Motor Sport, June 1939, Page 184.
  38. ^ Motor Sport, July 1939, Page 221.
  39. ^ Motor Sport, August 1939, Page 232.
  40. ^ The Autocar, 25 August 1939, Page 319; Motor Sport, September 1939, Page 281.

Bibliography edit

  • John Bolster, Specials, G.T. Foulis & Co Ltd, Reprinted 1971.
  • Jeremy Wood, Speed on the Downs: Lewes Speed Trials 1924-39, JWFA Books, ISBN 0-9522766-1-5

50°53′10″N 0°01′39″W / 50.88622°N 0.02738°W / 50.88622; -0.02738

January 01, 1970
lewes, speed, trials, were, speed, trials, held, defunct, course, lewes, sussex, england, sometimes, known, motor, road, racecourse, used, trials, contents, history, lewes, record, past, winners, also, references, bibliographyhistory, editthe, first, meeting, . The Lewes Speed Trials were speed trials held on a defunct course in Lewes Sussex England sometimes known as The Motor Road The racecourse used for the trials Contents 1 History 2 The Lewes Record 3 Lewes Speed Trials past winners 4 See also 5 References 6 BibliographyHistory editThe first meeting took place on 27 July 1924 on a private road near Lewes location unidentified The event was organised by the Brighton amp Hove Motor Cycle and Light Car Club on a quarter mile course Fastest time of the day was set by J A Hall Frazer Nash GN in a time of 16 6 secs 1 Speed trials were held on the Race Hill at Lewes three or four times a year from 1925 to 1939 at the instance of the Brighton amp Hove MC the Kent amp Sussex LCC the Bugatti Owners Club and the Vintage Sports Car Club 2 In 1933 The Autocar reported The course bends slightly to the left is one third of a mile long narrow none too smooth and slightly uphill It leads directly off the London Newhaven road just before reaching Lewes 3 Jean Bugatti attended the races on 21 October 1933 4 Denis Jenkinson motor racing journalist attended his first motor sport event here in 1936 5 The Autocar reported from the meeting on 12 June 1937 The first appearance in competition of the new four wheel independent suspension Atalanta was at Lewes G A T Weldon drove this 1 litre model 6 Bill Boddy editor of Motor Sport drove the original HRG sports car 1 497 c c at Lewes on 4 September 1937 with a best time of 27 4 sec finishing third in the novices class 7 On 15 July 1939 Sydney Allard took a class win in a time of 22 12 secs 8 The Lewes Record editComparisons of times recorded at different meetings and by different clubs are problematic There were differences in the method of timing the electric Bachelier method favoured by the Bugatti O C allowed the competitor to start in his own time and even differences in the length of the course 9 Lewes Speed Trials past winners editYear Driver Vehicle Time Club Notes 1932 R G J Nash Frazer Nash Terror 20 0 sec R Kent amp Sussex LCC 10 7 May N W Gardiner Delage 22 7 sec Bugatti O C 11 11 June R G J Nash Frazer Nash Terror 20 2 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 12 18 June R G J Nash Frazer Nash Terror 21 0 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 13 10 September 1933 R G J Nash Nash Special 21 0 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 14 13 May R G J Nash Nash Special 21 0 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 15 25 June R G J Nash Anzani Nash Special 21 0 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 16 9 September Richard Nash Anzani Nash The Spook 20 4 sec Bugatti O C 17 21 October 1934 R G J Nash Anzani Nash 1 496 c c 22 4 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 18 12 May John Bolster Bolster Special 20 2 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 19 16 June R G J Nash Nash Special 21 6 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 20 26 August Charles Martin Bugatti 2 3 20 13 sec Bugatti O C 21 8 September 1935 A G Bainton Bugatti 11 2 litre Kent amp Sussex LCC 22 11 May S E Cummings Vauxhall Villiers S C 19 4 sec R Kent amp Sussex LCC 23 15 June Kent amp Sussex LCC 24 August S E Cummings Vauxhall Villiers S C 18 13 sec R Bugatti O C 24 7 September 1936 R G J Nash Frazer Nash Union Special 19 06 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 25 9 May Robin Jackson Alta 1 500 c c 17 19 18 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 26 13 June A G Bainton Bugatti 2 3 litre S C 20 7 sec Bugatti O C 27 15 August Geoffrey Taylor Alta 1 488 c c 19 81 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 28 22 August 1937 J Lemon Burton Bugatti 2 3 litre 19 12 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 29 8 May Geoffrey Taylor Alta 19 3 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 30 12 June Geoffrey Taylor Alta 2 litre 18 75 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 31 21 August Arthur Baron Bugatti 3 300 c c S C 18 4 sec Bugatti O C 32 4 September 1938 Arthur Baron Bugatti 3 300 c c 18 61 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 33 7 May John Bolster Bolster Special 19 32 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 34 11 June H Whitfield Semmence Semmence Special A C 22 0 sec Vintage S C C 35 9 July Peter Monkhouse E R A 11 2 litre 18 27 sec R Kent amp Sussex LCC 36 20 August 1939 Norman Lewis Bugatti 2 300 c c 18 47 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 37 13 May Ned Lewis Bugatti 2 300 c c 18 88 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 38 17 June Stuart Wilton M G 21 60 sec Vintage S C C 39 15 July Arthur Baron Bugatti 3 300 c c 18 75 sec Kent amp Sussex LCC 40 19 August Key R Course Record S C Supercharged See also editBrighton Speed Trials Firle Hill Climb Prescott Speed Hill ClimbReferences edit T R Nicholson Sprint Speed Hillclimbs and Speed Trials in Britain 1899 1925 Page 236 David amp Charles 1969 T R Nicholson Sprint Speed Hillclimbs and Speed Trials in Britain 1899 1925 Page 241 David amp Charles 1969 The Autocar 27 October 1933 Page 853 The Autocar 27 October 1933 Page 853 D S J letter to Motor Sport November 1939 Page 308 The Autocar 18 June 1937 Pages 1196 1197 including picture Motor Sport October 1937 Pages 433 434 Bugatti Owners Club Lewes Speed Trials Saturday 4 September 1937 Results Motor Sport August 1939 Page 232 Autocar 28 August 1936 Pages 396 397 Motor Sport June 1932 Pages 358 359 For an interview with R G J Nash see Motor Sport December 1958 Pages 825 826 The Autocar 17 June 1932 Pages 1020 1021 Motor Sport July 1932 Page 431 For N W Gardiner see also Great Auclum National Speed Hill Climb Motor Sport July 1932 Pages 431 432 Motor Sport October 1932 Page 556 Motor Sport June 1933 Page 388 Motor Sport August 1933 Page 467 Motor Sport October 1933 Pages 554 555 The Autocar 27 October 1933 Page 853 Motor Sport June 1934 Page 374 The Autocar 22 June 1934 Page 1089 For an obituary of Richard Bolster brother of John Bolster see Motor Sport September 1941 Page 240 Motor Sport September 1934 Page 526 Motor Sport October 1934 Page 572 Two runs by Martin were unofficial and FTD went to A H L Eccles in 21 28 sec The Autocar 17 May 1935 Page 984 Motor Sport July 1935 Page 417 Motor Sport October 1935 Page 553 Motor Sport June 1936 Page 314 See also J V Hewes The Lewes Races The Motor 22 November 1944 Pages 228 290 The Autocar 19 June 1936 Page 1150 586 6 yard course Motor Sport September 1936 Page 428 Motor Sport September 1936 Page 435 Motor Sport June 1937 Page 257 Motor Sport July 1937 Page 308 The Autocar 27 August 1937 Page 394 see Page 386 for photograph Motor Sport September 1937 Pages 376 377 Bugatti Owners Club Lewes Speed Trials Saturday 4 September 1937 Results Motor Sport June 1938 Page 226 The Autocar 17 June 1938 Page 1109 Motor Sport August 1938 Page 296 The Autocar 26 August 1938 Page 389 For an article on Peter Monkhouse see Motor Sport February 1947 Pages 35 38 Motor Sport June 1939 Page 184 Motor Sport July 1939 Page 221 Motor Sport August 1939 Page 232 The Autocar 25 August 1939 Page 319 Motor Sport September 1939 Page 281 Bibliography editJohn Bolster Specials G T Foulis amp Co Ltd Reprinted 1971 Jeremy Wood Speed on the Downs Lewes Speed Trials 1924 39 JWFA Books ISBN 0 9522766 1 5 50 53 10 N 0 01 39 W 50 88622 N 0 02738 W 50 88622 0 02738 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lewes Speed Trials amp oldid 1219046718, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, 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