1907/07/20 Brooklands Race Meeting

Selling by auction the winning car in the Hollick Selling Plate.

View of the track.

Tom Thornycroft.

Note: This is a sub-section of 1907 Brooklands Calendar

The second race meeting on 20th July 1907

Persons named in this article

Automobiles named in this article

THE SECOND MEETING.

Glorious summer weather favoured this meeting on Saturday last, but owing to counter attractions at Sandown Park and other places near London the attendance was not a very satisfactory one, there being probably only a little over one-third the number of people who patronised the opening meeting.

From the spectators' point of view, the arrangements for their convenience were much better than previously, and although entries for the events did not rule large, the racing was better and more keenly followed by the spectators.

The first race for the Manx Stakes was open to cars which entered for the Tourist Trophy Race in 1907. Only three entries were secured, and Tom Thornycroft proved the only one to finish, his victory being a popular one. The other two cars could not finish on the petrol allowance. It was unfortunate that more entrants for this event were not secured, but we understand that some of the makers did not know officially that there was to be such a race until too late to enter for it.

The second race in the programme was for the Hollick Selling Plate, and this brought out 11 competitors. It was noticed that in this race oxygen cylinders were openly shown on some of the cars. The Junior car No. 1 had its connection to the oxygen cylinder made above the jet in the mixing chamber. The Weigel car No. 6 had two oxygen cylinders fitted, these being of such capacity that the vehicle could he run on oxygen for the whole of the race, the inlet for the oxygen to the carburetter being below the jet. Napier No. 2 also had oxygen, the inlet being into the main air pipe.

The Iris No. 9 had oxygen which was let in with the petrol supply on reaching the jet. The Minerva car No. 11 was fitted with the Wright surface carburetter, and judging by the way the engine ran prior to the start it appeared to have a good chance of showing up well.

When the cars reached the post they got away after some delay to a false start and were brought hack to the line. This event provided a fine race between the first three cars, the Napier ultimately winning by a few seconds from the Daimler, with the Iris about the same interval behind the Daimler.

In the third race for the Century Stakes, the two Daimlers entered did not come to the post. The Napier car appeared to be the only one fitted with an oxygen cylinder. After some delay at the line, all but the Lorraine-Dietrich got away well together. Mr. Jarrott was unfortunate, for although his engine was running well his car refused to move when the gear and clutch were let in, this being apparently through some failure between the flywheel and the clutch-shaft. The Darracq took the lead at once, but commencing the second round the Napier passed it in great style. At the start of the third round it looked as if there would be a fine tussle between the Napier and Darracq; the Gobron-Brillie was going rather badly. After completing three laps Mr. Sangster's Ariel-Simplex retired owing to an inlet valve spring breaking.

On the fourth round the Darracq had drawn up to challenging distance the Napier. The result of a fairly interesting race was that the Napier finished well ahead of the Darracq, and the Charron took third place.

An exciting incident occurred at the finish. The Napier car had passed the tape and was rounding up at the outside of the bend to finish at the enclosure, when Huntley Walker on the Darracq endeavoured to run up on the inside of the track, whereas he should have followed the track of the Napier. It looked as though he were certain to run into the latter broadside on, but with great exertion he applied his brake, unfortunately at the same time shifting the change speed lever into reverse, the result being that the car ran down the steep bank at the inner edge of the track, a matter of some twenty feet. The mechanic slipped clear, whilst Walker pluckily stuck to the steering wheel. The car sank in the soft sandy earth up to the axles, and ultimately came to rest a foot from the inner iron railings in a very much inclined position, but it did not overturn. On returning to the enclosure Mr. Walker was warmly congratulated upon his narrow escape from injury.

The fourth race, which was a match between Mr. Coleman's team car and Mr. Sangster's Ariel Simplex, furnished a battle between steam and petrol. The Ariel was the quicker away from the line, but Coleman on the White steamer after passing the bridge was seen to be making some impression on Sangster's lead. Meanwhile the burner of the steamer was emitting a loud screaming noise like a tormented spirit. Oxygen was passed from a cylinder to the main air intake of the White burner. What would no doubt have been a good finish was spoilt by the safety valve of the steamer blowing out of the steam pipe, thus incapacitating the engine. Mr. Sangster in a very sportsmanlike spirit stopped and offered to wait whilst the damage was repaired, but this was hardly possible in the time at command, so that the victory rested with the petrol-driven vehicle.

In the fifth race for the Weybridge Stakes, Mr. A. Rawlinson's racing Darracq. which was to have been driven by Sidney Girling, did not appear at the starting point, as, unfortunately, in tightening up a stud holding down the front cylinder inlet dome, too great a leverage was put on the spanner and the stud broke. Although great efforts were made to fit a new one, a satisfactory job could not be made in time to start.

The contest practically resolved itself into a match between Mr. J. E. Hutton on his Mercedes and Mr. D. Resta on Mr. Fry's Mercedes. D. Resta was expected to win, as he certainly should have won the Montagu Cup but for a misunderstanding as to the laps to be covered. However. Mr. Hutton's car was either tuned up better or the other car was not running so well, for Mr. Hutton won by over a quarter of a mile from Resta, Huntley Walker's Darracq being practically a mile behind, and taking up third position.

The Lorraine-Dietrich driven by the crack driver Duray did not make a great show. The race was completed in very good time. Evidently the spill over the bank had not affected Mr. Huntley Walker's nerves, for he drove well in this race and in the last race of the day, for the Hollick Selling Plate, which he won very easily, Mr. Grahame White's Minerva being second.

The only non-starter in the latter race was the Minerva belonging to Mr. Sopwith, some trouble being experienced with this car in the enclosure, there being a difficulty in getting the cylinders to fire equally.

The second exciting incident of the day then occurred, for immediately on passing the finishing point Captain Owen's Aries was seen to be on fire. After burning for some time, sand was thrown on the car, and the flames were ultimately extinguished by the use of sacks. Only a little damage was done to the dashboard and coil, since the car was in racing trim. There was a great chance here for the patent fire extinguisher people to have given a test of the quality of their wares, but apparently no extinguishers were on the ground. It would be advisable at future meetings to see that a supply of fire extinguishing cylinders are to hand, as some time or other they may be badly wanted.

The better arrangements for storing the cars were much appreciated by visitors, although the number present was not a tithe of that seen at the opening meeting. It will probably take some considerable time to efface altogether the bad impression created on the minds of visitors by the hopeless tangle into which cars were of necessity involved by the inadequate accommodation at the opening meeting.

The access from the enclosure to the other portions of the ground was also much appreciated and taken advantage of. The bookmakers were a little noisier on this occasion than on the first, but the tipsters were still hopelessly out of their reckoning; in fact, in one prominent case, two out of six winners only were tipped, and these were practically certainties.

THE RESULTS.

Note.— The horse-powers given are those calculated by the D2N/2.5 R.A.C. formula —.

1.0.—The MANX STAKES of 200 sovs., added to a sweepstake of 10 sovs. each for starters only. The entrant of the second to receive 100 sovs. out of the stakes; the entrant of the third to save his stake. For motor cars which were entered for the Tourist Trophy Race of 1907, and which consume one gallon or less of petroleum spirit, measured and supplied by the Club at the start. Weight, 2,000 lbs. Entrance, 6 sovs. Distance, 29.331 miles.

Mr. T. Thornycroft's 22.5 h.p. THORNYCROFT, 2,200 lbs. . . . OWNER 1
Mr. C. Harman Wigan's 27.3 h.p. Vinot, 2,203 lbs. . . . N. Littlejohn 0
Mr. F. C. Baisley's 22.4 h.p. Gladiator, 2,200 lbs. . . . M. Ross-Browne 0

The winner's average speed was about 47 m.p.h.

At the end of the first lap T. Thornycroft was leading well, and won after running throughout in excellent style. The others failed to finish on the petrol allowed.

2.30.—The SURREY STAKES of 50 sovs., added to a sweepstake of 5 sovs. each. The entrant of the second to receive 20 sovs out of the stakes. For motor cars propelled by means of internal-combustion engines only, of a cylinder dimension 95 to under 105, R.A.C. rating. Weight, 3,200 lbs. Entrance, 5 sovs. Distance 3.279 miles.

Mr. S. F. Edge's 38.4 h.p. NAPIER, 3,235 lbs. . . . H. C. TRYON 1
Mr. E. Manville's 41.9 h.p. DAIMLER, 3,207 lbs. . . . G. Ison 2
Capt. W. E. D. Owen's 41.9 h.p. Junior, 3,210 lbs. . . . H. E. Hives 0
Mr. A. Farnell's 41.9 h.p. Daimler, 3,200 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Mr. D. Jameson's 41.9 h.p. Isotta-Fraschini, 3,202 lbs. . . . N. Macklin 0
Mr. Chas. Jarrott's 41.9 h.p. Lorraine-Dietrich, 3,204 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Mr. G. W. Goldsmith's 41.9 h.p. Weigel, 3,213 lbs. . . . W. R. Wills 0
Mr. P. Martin's 41.9 h.p. Daimler, 3,204 lbs. . . . J. Hodierne 0
Mr. A. Huntley Walker's 41.9 h.p. Darracq, 3,203 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Capt. G. Ll. Hinds Howell's 40 h.p. Iris, 3,212 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Mr. L. Aspinall's 41 h.p. Minerva, 3,200 lbs. . . . Owner 0

The winner's average speed was about 69 m.p.h.

This event looked like providing a very close finish between the Napier and Mr. Manville's Daimler, but putting on a fine oxygen sprint in the last half-mile the Napier won easier than expected. The Iris was a good third. Mr. P. Martin's Daimler was unfortunately shut in just after the start; otherwise it would have shown up better, as it moved very fast, but could not pull up the leeway.

3.0.—The CENTURY STAKES of 100 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, for starters only. The entrant of the second to receive 50 sovs. out of the stakes. For motor cars propelled by means of internal combustion engines only, of a cylinder dimension under 145, R.A.C. rating. Weight, 3,500 lbs. Entrance, 3 sovs. Distance, 19.586 miles.

Mr. S. E. Edge's 49.9 h.p. NAPIER, 3,500 lbs. . . . F. NEWTON 1
Mr. Huntley Walker's 55.8 h.p. DARRACQ, 3,504 lbs. . . . Owner 2
Mr. J. B. Hissey's 48.6 h.p. Charron, 3,553 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Mrs. G. E. Taylor's 51.8 h.p. Gobron-Brillie, 3,563 lbs. H. Vincent 0
Mr. C. Sangster's 57.6 h.p. Ariel-Simplex, 3,522 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Mr. Charles Jarrott's 52.9 h.p. Lorraine Dietrich, 3,646 lbs. . . . Owner 0

The winner's average speed was about 75 m.p.h.

The Darracq led until commencing the second round when the Napier shot to the front and was never afterwards headed. After passing the finishing line, Mr. Huntley Walker, in pulling up, and trying to avoid fouling the Napier, ran his car down the inner banking of the track. The mechanic jumped clear, and the driver sat tight at the wheel. Neither were injured, and the car gently slid down the soft sandy earth about 20ft. until it sank up to the axle and came to rest at an awkward angle close to the iron rails.

3.45.— A MATCH of 60 sovs. between Mr. F. Coleman's 30 h.p. White steam car and Mr. C. Sangster's 30 h.p. Ariel-Simplex petrol car. No entrance fee. Weight, 3,500 lbs. Distance, 3.279 miles.

The winner's average speed was about 53 m.p.h.

The Ariel led from the start. Near the fork at the finishing straight the safety valve of the steamer blew out of the steam pipe, and the Ariel was thus left to finish at its leisure.

4.15.—The WEYBRIDGE STAKES of 50 sovs. each. The entrant of the second to receive one quarter of the stakes. For motor cars propelled by means of internal-combustion engines only, of a cylinder dimension under 220, R.A.C. rating. Weight, 2,600 lbs. Entrance, 50 sovs. Distance, 14.15 miles.

Mr. J. E. Hutton's 75.9 H.p. MERCEDES, 2,615 lbs. . . . OWNER 1
Mr. F. R. Fry's 75.9 h.p. MERCEDES, 2,685 lbs. . . . D. Rasta 2
Mr. A. Huntley Walker's 80.4 h.p. Darracq, 2,756 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Baron Turckheim's 80.4 h.p. Lorraine-Dietrich, 3,105 lbs. . . . M. Duray 0
Mr. H. R. Pope's 84.9 h.p. Itala, 2,875 lbs. . . . Owner 0

The winner's average speed was about 95 m.p.h.

Hutton led from Duray at the start, and maintained his position to the end, D. Resta, being then about half a mile behind. Pope retired on the fourth lap with a broken transmission-shaft.

4.45.—The HOLLICK SELLING PLATE of 200 sovs. The entrant of the winner to receive 150 sovs., and the entrant of the second 50 sovs. For motor cars propelled by means of internal-combustion engines only, the winner to be sold by auction for 500 sovs. Weight, 2,600 lbs. for cars of a cylinder dimension 75 or under, R.A.C. rating, and 3.465 lbs. in addition for every additional 0.1 of dimension. Entrance, 10 sovs. Distance, 8.715 miles.

Mr. A. Huntley Walker's 34 h.p. DARRACQ, handicap weight 2,943 lbs., actual running weight 2,952 lbs. . . . OWNER 1
Mr. C. Grahame White's 27.9 h.p. MINERVA, 2,600 lbs., running weight 2,647 lbs. . . . Owner 2
Mr. H. J. S. Moyse's 32.4 h.p. Thornycroft, 2,808 lbs., running weight 2,813 lbs. . . . B. Redwood 0
Capt. W. E. D. Owen's 27.3 h.p. Aries, 2,600 lbs., running weight 2,736 lbs. . . . H. E. Hives 0
Messrs. S. Straker and Squire's, Ltd., 30 h.p. Straker-Squire, 2,600 lbs., running weight 2,602 lbs. . . . W. T. Lord 0
Mr. H. V. Hermon's 27.9 h.p. Minerva, 2,600 lbs., running weight 2,621 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Mr. A. Huntley Walker's 41.9 Darracq, 3,629 lbs., running weight 3,633 lbs. . . . Marquis de Mozilly St. Mars 0
Mr. S. Saunderson's 31.1 h.p. Brasier, 2,693 lbs., running weight 2,825 lbs. . . . Owner 0
Mr. D. Jameson's 41.9 h.p. Isotta-Fraschi-i, 3,629 lbs., running weight 3,640 lbs. . . . N. Macklin 0

The winner's average speed was about 62 m.p.h.

The result of this race was never in doubt, for Mr. Huntley Walker easily led the field all the way, and won with plenty to spare from Mr. Grahame White's Minerva. Capt. Owens Aries car took fire at the finish owing to a back-fire in the carburetter, but little damage was done to the car.

Sources of Information

The Autocar Magazine of 27th July 1907

Grace's Guide To British Industrial History