Having passed the six-year mark, we had of course made some good friends
and had had some changes in our Officers. I pipped David Chiles to the post by
suggesting we have some Vice-Presidents and was very pleased to propose Jeff
Bradford and Paul Sapsed as our first Vice-Presidents.
Jeff Bradford is often affectionately called the granddad of the Club.
Anyone who watched our last Autocross will tell you that in spite of sixty odd
summers, Jeff can still show younger members how to drive a sports car.
Paul Sapsed is remembered for his support to events and for his generosity
to the club. Every motor club has its personalities and today we have our
share. To start with we have four more Vice-Presidents. I have already
mentioned the contribution to the club's history of David Chiles and when he
retired in 1958 he was one of three elected Vice-President. In ten years David
had held office as Secretary, Competition Secretary, Chairman and
Vice-Chairman.
Peter Elbra had played his part in the early years of the Club as a
committee member and for two years our Secretary.
Peter Harper was by 1958 well noted for his achievements in International
Rallies. To us he was also known as a former committee member and organiser of
club events.
Although small in statue, Tommy Bridger has made his mark in the racing
fraternity as a top notch Formula 3 driver. He also drove for Pop Moss and in
recent times been successful in one of the well-known M.G.A's of Dick Jacobs.
When Tommy retired from the committee last year he was elected Vice-President
No.6.
In our second President, Desmond Scannell, the club is fortunate in having
another personality. For about twenty years Desmond was secretary of the
British Racing Drivers Club and became known as one of the foremost organisers
of motor racing in the world. Not all his motoring was connected with racing
though, on two occasions he crewed with Stirling Moss and late John (Autocar)
Cooper in the Monte Carlo Rally.
Very early on in this preamble I mentioned the Tucker-Peake brothers and no
story could be complete without more of their contribution to the Club. From
1949 to 1953 Herbert Tucker-Peake was Chairman and since then he has been our
Competition Secretary .
