Classical Gas
www.classictrials.co.uk
For several years a daytime rally was held in August or September. Being a time of the year when holidays are talked about, the competition was not too serious, the main theme being to have an event in which the family could take part. Last year the Royal Automobile Club brought in new limits on the number of road events we can hold, we had one too many so we changed the family rally into a Gymkhana, and we have one this year. A Gymkhana is good fun and the family can all take part. It is another occasion for a picnic as well, and the winner collects the Rally Cup-Presented by Ralph Smart:
1951 J. Jarman
1952 P. C. E. Harper
1953 R. Smart
1954 P. G. Elbra
1955 J. Christopher
1956 P. Angus
1957 P. D. Sapsed
1958 H. W. Tucker-Peake
1959 Mrs. B. Fleming
1960 E. SingerSeptember and the scene is Snetterton for the Falcon Express. Such a name makes one think of moving quickly and the original booking of Snetterton in 1959 was for a sprint.
This first booking came about after Tommy Bridger had seen the circuit managers, we were busy with our preparations when we received a smack in the eye. It transpired our date clashed with a National Hill Climb and the organisers objection to our sprint was upheld by the Royal Automobile Club. So we had a course and no event. Out of disappointment the idea was born to have driving tests with a difference. The rules say no test must exceed 200 yards in length, so with plenty of space we had tests of 199 yards. The competitors loved it and asked for more, so the Falcon Express has quickly become a regular fixture.
The major award for a Falcon member is the Duckham Trophy presented to the Club by the well-known Oil Company: Winners are:
1959 J. Sheldrick
1960 A. M. B. PiggottOctober is blank this year but whilst members are taking things easy, a few of us will be burning the midnight oil in readiness for Novembers main fixture, the Guy Fawkes Trial. Very early in this story I referred to this event which is now our oldest fixture. The character underwent a major change in 1954, when a night route was first used together with the Cotswolds. Every year since then the entry has increased, reaching the 100 mark last year.
