LINK to Aston Martin DB3S/1 YMY 307 (Image Copyright D.Sharp) the very first chassis with the egg crate style grill seen here entered by Aston Martin Ltd. and driven by Reg Parnell at the Charterhall International Car Race Meeting of 15th August 1953. Also shown being raced by Reg in Motor Sport September 1953. Reg gave the DB3S its first outing, also at Charterhall, on May 23rd #82 (pic Autosport May 29th). The car was awarded the Gran Turismo Trophy at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours. As stated in the first LINK on oldclassiccar.co.uk, the transporter in the background was that of Goulds Garage, Bristol - the driver H.H. Gould entered a Cooper M.G. (65) and a Cooper Bristol (66).
Connaught A type (AL10) (1953) Engine 1960cc S4. Entered by Connaught Eng. Co. and driven here by Roy Salvadori at the Charterhall International Race Meeting on 15th August 1953 (see fourth programme below) and coming 2nd in the Event 4 Formula II race and 3rd in the Event 7 Formula Libre race according to the programme below. In 1954 it was sold into private hands and as you can see below still competing in 2015.
The photographs below were taken at the 2015 Bo'ness Hill Climb Revival. Prince Michael of Kent can be seen showing great interest with Robert Bremner.
latterly the car has been campaigned by Guy Spollen and seen at Chateau Impney
January 24th : Scottish S.C.C. Rally
Sports cars up to 1200cc Supercharged and 1500cc Unsupercharged (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 14 W.A. Brearley 10 mins. 9.9 secs., 59.2 mph
2nd J. Brown
3rd 28 D.I.H. Adamson
Note: 2nd place driver J. Brown not in programme and car unknown.
Note: Race not reported in detail in Ref.1
Sports cars up to 1500cc Supercharged and 2500cc Unsupercharged (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 30 P.J. Kenneth 8 mins. 14.2 secs., 72.7 mph
2nd 29 J. Neilson
3rd 2 J.E. Robinson
Note: Race not reported in detail in Ref.1
1st 14 W.A. Brearley 10 mins. 9.9 secs., 59.2 mph
2nd J. Brown
3rd 28 D.I.H. Adamson
Note: 2nd place driver J. Brown not in programme and car unknown.
Note: Race not reported in detail in Ref.1
Sports cars up to 1500cc Supercharged and 2500cc Unsupercharged (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 30 P.J. Kenneth 8 mins. 14.2 secs., 72.7 mph
2nd 29 J. Neilson
3rd 2 J.E. Robinson
Note: Race not reported in detail in Ref.1
Sports Cars unlimited (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 32 Ian Stewart
2nd 36 Jimmy Stewart
3rd 31 A.W. Birrell
1st 32 Ian Stewart
2nd 36 Jimmy Stewart
3rd 31 A.W. Birrell
Racing Cars up to 500cc Unsupercharged (10 laps/20 miles)
1st 5 A. McGlashan 16 mins. 40.2 secs., 70.0 mph
2nd 9 Keith Hall Cooper Mk7
3rd 19 C. Clark
Note: 11 cars started. 4 cars finished. #4 #10 #39 did retire
1st 5 A. McGlashan 16 mins. 40.2 secs., 70.0 mph
2nd 9 Keith Hall Cooper Mk7
3rd 19 C. Clark
Note: 11 cars started. 4 cars finished. #4 #10 #39 did retire
Sports Cars of any capacity (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 32 Ian Stewart
2nd 33 Jimmy Stewart
3rd. 30 P.J. Kenneth
4th 29 J. Neilson
5th 26 Fred Mort
Note: Ninian Sanderson never appeared on the leader board
Note: J.I. Smith of Newcastle a non-starter
Reported as Saloon Cars of any capacity (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 11 E.B. Wadsworth 9 mins. 29.5 secs., 63.2 mph
2nd 15 W.A. Brearley
3rd 25 N.V.L. Barclay
Note: Race not reported in detail in Ref.1
Note: Frank Curtis in his ex-Sydney Allard, Monte Carlo a non-starter
1st 32 Ian Stewart
2nd 33 Jimmy Stewart
3rd. 30 P.J. Kenneth
4th 29 J. Neilson
5th 26 Fred Mort
Note: Ninian Sanderson never appeared on the leader board
Note: J.I. Smith of Newcastle a non-starter
Reported as Saloon Cars of any capacity (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 11 E.B. Wadsworth 9 mins. 29.5 secs., 63.2 mph
2nd 15 W.A. Brearley
3rd 25 N.V.L. Barclay
Note: Race not reported in detail in Ref.1
Note: Frank Curtis in his ex-Sydney Allard, Monte Carlo a non-starter
Event 10 Formula Libre
Formula Libre Cars (15 laps/30 miles)
1st 7 Ron Flockhart in his newly acquired ex-Mays, Zoller blown 2 litre D type E.R.A.
2nd 36 Ninian Sanderson
3rd 31 A.W. Birrell
Note: Ninian Sanderson drove instead of J.R. Stewart in #36
Note: #35 did not race due to cylinder head trouble
Note: 10 starters including 3 C Type Jaguars and 2 Vauxhall 30/98.
Note: Jock McBain drove 5 of the fastest laps seen by the reporter but retired with valve trouble (prog randomly marked 85 mph)
1st 7 Ron Flockhart in his newly acquired ex-Mays, Zoller blown 2 litre D type E.R.A.
2nd 36 Ninian Sanderson
3rd 31 A.W. Birrell
Note: Ninian Sanderson drove instead of J.R. Stewart in #36
Note: #35 did not race due to cylinder head trouble
Note: 10 starters including 3 C Type Jaguars and 2 Vauxhall 30/98.
Note: Jock McBain drove 5 of the fastest laps seen by the reporter but retired with valve trouble (prog randomly marked 85 mph)
REFERENCES
1. Autosport April 24th 1953
2. Newcastle & District M.C. Monthly News & Random Jottings report to follow
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport April 24th 1953
Ron Flockhart
Ninian Sanderson
J.E. Robertson (FGY 409?)
Ian Stewart (JWS 353)
Jimmy Stewart (KSF 181)
1. Autosport April 24th 1953
2. Newcastle & District M.C. Monthly News & Random Jottings report to follow
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport April 24th 1953
Ron Flockhart
Ninian Sanderson
J.E. Robertson (FGY 409?)
Ian Stewart (JWS 353)
Jimmy Stewart (KSF 181)
18th April M.G.C.C. Test Teasers
Premier and Team Award recipient N. Cuthbert is James Nicoll Cuthbert who competed in this car against Jimmy Stewart at Crimond, Winfield and Turnberry (3rd May 1952). In the sixties Nicoll formed his own racing team with Lotus Elan, Ford GT40 and Lola.
Report in 1st May Autosport by A.N. Ford
April 25th Beveridge Park "500" Meeting
David Swan raced a Cooper Mk6 in Race 1 Heat 4
Report in 1st May Autosport by A.N. Ford
Photographs at The Bill Henderson Collection
Photographs at The Bill Henderson Collection
Report by A.N. Ford in Autosport May 29th
Friday's Practice : 22nd May
Sports Cars up to 1500cc Supercharged and 2500cc Unsupercharged (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 32 P.J. Kenneth 72.2 mph
2nd 36 Raymond Fielding (ex John Brown HWM)
3rd 39 Jimmy Nielson
Sports Cars up to 1200cc Supercharged and 1500cc Unsupercharged (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 25 Keith Schellenberg (Riley 9) 65 mph
2nd 52 Edgar Wadsworth
3rd 57 A.H.B. Craig (PB engined)
1st 32 P.J. Kenneth 72.2 mph
2nd 36 Raymond Fielding (ex John Brown HWM)
3rd 39 Jimmy Nielson
Sports Cars up to 1200cc Supercharged and 1500cc Unsupercharged (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 25 Keith Schellenberg (Riley 9) 65 mph
2nd 52 Edgar Wadsworth
3rd 57 A.H.B. Craig (PB engined)
Formula III Cars (15 laps/30 miles)
1st 3 Bob Gerard 73.4 mph
2nd 18 Ken Tyrrell
3rd 48 Keith Hall
4th 76 R.E. Paulson
Note: Ninian Sanderson (u/j) and Leslie Thorne (clutch cable) dnf.
Note: #20 Triumph powered Cooper owned by Dennis Done
1st 3 Bob Gerard 73.4 mph
2nd 18 Ken Tyrrell
3rd 48 Keith Hall
4th 76 R.E. Paulson
Note: Ninian Sanderson (u/j) and Leslie Thorne (clutch cable) dnf.
Note: #20 Triumph powered Cooper owned by Dennis Done
Vintage Cars (5 laps/10 miles)
1st 53 G.G. McDonald 66.2 mph
2nd 65 James Gordon Lockhart
3rd 33 A.R. Miller
4th 25 Keith Schellenberg
Note: Pat Melville did not start
Note: Innes Ireland MlinkS drove his 3-litre Bentley left to him by an elderly lady friend of the family.
1st 53 G.G. McDonald 66.2 mph
2nd 65 James Gordon Lockhart
3rd 33 A.R. Miller
4th 25 Keith Schellenberg
Note: Pat Melville did not start
Note: Innes Ireland MlinkS drove his 3-litre Bentley left to him by an elderly lady friend of the family.
above press cutting from 1997
#5 Ian Stewart in the Ecurie Ecosse Connaught in April at RAF Ibsley
Formula II Cars (20 laps/40 miles)
1st 2 Ken Wharton 81.3 mph
2nd 11 Bobby Baird
3rd 6 Jimmy Stewart
Note: Ian Stewart #5 dnf (burst oil pipe)
1953 was the year David Murray's Ecurie Ecosse team approached Jimmy Stewart about acquiring his services. Ecosse had been allocated three C-type Jaguars and provided his father paid for one, Jimmy could drive it. Out of eighteen starts at various circuits the team scored something like 15 wins. Although it has been written that younger brother Jackie didn't meet Ken Tyrrell until the sixties, I cannot help wondering if he came with Jimmy and his father to either this meeting or the later International in August to see 1950 World Champion Farina when Ken was entered with his Cooper. MlinkS to report.
1st 2 Ken Wharton 81.3 mph
2nd 11 Bobby Baird
3rd 6 Jimmy Stewart
Note: Ian Stewart #5 dnf (burst oil pipe)
1953 was the year David Murray's Ecurie Ecosse team approached Jimmy Stewart about acquiring his services. Ecosse had been allocated three C-type Jaguars and provided his father paid for one, Jimmy could drive it. Out of eighteen starts at various circuits the team scored something like 15 wins. Although it has been written that younger brother Jackie didn't meet Ken Tyrrell until the sixties, I cannot help wondering if he came with Jimmy and his father to either this meeting or the later International in August to see 1950 World Champion Farina when Ken was entered with his Cooper. MlinkS to report.
Sports Cars Unlimited (15 laps/30 miles)
1st 82 Reg Parnell 78.4 mph
2nd 7 Ninian Sanderson
3rd 10 Jimmy Stewart
4th 9 Ian Stewart
Note: #7 crabbed with cracked brake drum, #9 stopped to fix plug lead
1st 82 Reg Parnell 78.4 mph
2nd 7 Ninian Sanderson
3rd 10 Jimmy Stewart
4th 9 Ian Stewart
Note: #7 crabbed with cracked brake drum, #9 stopped to fix plug lead
above photograph of Jimmy Stewart in a Healey Silverstone and dad filling up an Austin A90 convertible
below an Esso pencil belonging to George Gordon
below an Esso pencil belonging to George Gordon
P.D.C. Walker
top the Border Reivers team cars from a scrapbook page of 1953
and below the full view of the competitors enclosure
and below the full view of the competitors enclosure
Formula Libre (20 laps/40 miles)
1st 15 Ron Flockhart 81.4 mph (see ERA R4D below)
2nd 4 Bob Gerard
3rd 1 Ken Wharton BRM V16
4th 11 Bobbie Baird
1st 15 Ron Flockhart 81.4 mph (see ERA R4D below)
2nd 4 Bob Gerard
3rd 1 Ken Wharton BRM V16
4th 11 Bobbie Baird
REFERENCES
1. Autosport May 29th 1953
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport May 29th 1953
Ron Flockhart
Ian Stewart
Ken Wharton
W.R. Baird
Jimmy Stewart
Frank Curtis
Reg Parnell (new Aston Martin DB3S YMY 307)
1. Autosport May 29th 1953
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport May 29th 1953
Ron Flockhart
Ian Stewart
Ken Wharton
W.R. Baird
Jimmy Stewart
Frank Curtis
Reg Parnell (new Aston Martin DB3S YMY 307)
May 25th R.S.A.C. Scottish International Coronation Rally
Report in Autosport May 29th
Motorsport News February 24th 2022 : HISTORICS Down The Workshop column
Currently owned by Brian and Ben Fidler, R4D continues to be campaigned in a range of suitable events.
Currently owned by Brian and Ben Fidler, R4D continues to be campaigned in a range of suitable events.
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on the 2nd June, 1953 in Westminster Abbey
June 27th Bo'ness Hill Climb
Result in Motorsport January 1953
Result in Motorsport January 1953
Ninian Sanderson made his debut in the Staride MkIII at the British Grand Prix 500c.c. Race on 18th July - see below
Desmond Titterington
programme kindly supplied by William Henderson who administers THE BILL HENDERSON COLLECTION
Source of results is Darren Galpin at www.dig.speedfreaks.org
Result also in Motorsport January 1953
From a weekly Berwick newspaper dated Thursday 9th July.
In years to come however it was often said Jim could do it blindfolded.
In years to come however it was often said Jim could do it blindfolded.
Announcer Graham Walker is the father of Murray Walker O.B.E.
August 2nd : Newcastle & District and Berwick & District Motor Clubs Hill Climb
International Practice : 14th August
Ken Wharton
Sports Cars up to 1200cc Supercharged and 1500cc Unsupercharged (10 laps/20 miles)
1st 1 Cliff Davis (ex Lionel Leonard JOY 500) 18 mins. 33.6 secs., 64.65 mph
2nd 65 H.H. Gould (ex Leonard machine)
3rd 99 Donald Beauman
4th 4 Gillie Tyrer (Fiat powered Supermotor)
Fastest Lap: Cliff Davis 1 min. 47.4 secs., 67.04 mph
Note: Peter Hughes car is ex Lister twin-cylinder Tojeiro-J.A.P.
1st 1 Cliff Davis (ex Lionel Leonard JOY 500) 18 mins. 33.6 secs., 64.65 mph
2nd 65 H.H. Gould (ex Leonard machine)
3rd 99 Donald Beauman
4th 4 Gillie Tyrer (Fiat powered Supermotor)
Fastest Lap: Cliff Davis 1 min. 47.4 secs., 67.04 mph
Note: Peter Hughes car is ex Lister twin-cylinder Tojeiro-J.A.P.
Sports Cars up to 1500cc Supercharged and 2500cc Unsupercharged (10 laps/20 miles)
1st 68 Jack Walton 16 mins. 43.8 secs., 71.73 mph
2nd 2 Cliff Davis
3rd 90 John Melvin
4th 100 Mike Currie
Fastest Lap: Jack Walton 1 min. 36.8 secs., 74.38 mph
Note: #89 Peter Kenneth may have been 5th.
Note: #73 J. Gibbon's Rover Special known as "Cunningham of the North"
1st 68 Jack Walton 16 mins. 43.8 secs., 71.73 mph
2nd 2 Cliff Davis
3rd 90 John Melvin
4th 100 Mike Currie
Fastest Lap: Jack Walton 1 min. 36.8 secs., 74.38 mph
Note: #89 Peter Kenneth may have been 5th.
Note: #73 J. Gibbon's Rover Special known as "Cunningham of the North"
Sports Cars Unlimited (20 laps/40 miles)
1st 95 Reg Parnell (DB3S) 33 mins. 17.8 secs., 72.07 mph
2nd 60 Ian Stewart
3rd 61 Jimmy Stewart
4th 68 Jack Walton
Fastest Lap: Reg Parnell 1 min. 37.6 secs., 73.77 mph
Note: Bob Dickson drove Parnell's latest aquisition Austin-Healey "Hundred" - conflicts with programme.
1st 95 Reg Parnell (DB3S) 33 mins. 17.8 secs., 72.07 mph
2nd 60 Ian Stewart
3rd 61 Jimmy Stewart
4th 68 Jack Walton
Fastest Lap: Reg Parnell 1 min. 37.6 secs., 73.77 mph
Note: Bob Dickson drove Parnell's latest aquisition Austin-Healey "Hundred" - conflicts with programme.
Tony Rolt
Roy Salvadori
Formula II Cars (50 laps/100 miles)
1st 39 Ken Wharton 1 hr. 15 mins. 30.6 secs., 79.45 mph
2nd 105 Roy Salvadori
3rd 106 Ron Flockhart
4th 32 Bob Gerard
Fastest Lap: Ken Wharton, Roy Salvadori and Ron Flockhart 1 min. 26 secs., 83.7 mph
Note: In the absence of McAlpine through illness, the ex-Lyons 7' 6" car with 4 Amals was driven by Roy Salvadori.
Note : The original Roy Salvadori 7' 1" wheelbase fuel injection car was driven by Ron Flockhart.
Note: John Coombs drove an unpainted fuel injection 7' 6" wheelbase car
Note: Ron Flockhart was told to slow down on approaching Salvadori
Note: Ian Stewart and Tony Rolt drove privately entered Connaughts, Eric Brandon drove twin cylinder Cooper
Note: Stirling Moss retired on lap two
Note: William J. Skelly's 1952/3 F2 Fraser-Nash with chassis identical to the Le Mans Replica MkII For Sale September 25th
1st 39 Ken Wharton 1 hr. 15 mins. 30.6 secs., 79.45 mph
2nd 105 Roy Salvadori
3rd 106 Ron Flockhart
4th 32 Bob Gerard
Fastest Lap: Ken Wharton, Roy Salvadori and Ron Flockhart 1 min. 26 secs., 83.7 mph
Note: In the absence of McAlpine through illness, the ex-Lyons 7' 6" car with 4 Amals was driven by Roy Salvadori.
Note : The original Roy Salvadori 7' 1" wheelbase fuel injection car was driven by Ron Flockhart.
Note: John Coombs drove an unpainted fuel injection 7' 6" wheelbase car
Note: Ron Flockhart was told to slow down on approaching Salvadori
Note: Ian Stewart and Tony Rolt drove privately entered Connaughts, Eric Brandon drove twin cylinder Cooper
Note: Stirling Moss retired on lap two
Note: William J. Skelly's 1952/3 F2 Fraser-Nash with chassis identical to the Le Mans Replica MkII For Sale September 25th
Les Leston
Formula III Cars (20 laps/40 miles)
1st 98 Stirling Moss 31 mins. 23 secs., 76.47 mph
2nd 12 Don Parker
3rd 47 Les Leston
4th 44 Charles Headland
Fastest Lap: Bob Gerard 1 min. 31.0 secs., 79.12 mph
Note: Bob Gerard dnf
Note: Leslie Thorne lost all but top gear
Note: Peter Reece in a "de Dion J.P." spun on dropped oil
Note: Stirling Moss won by 17 seconds
Note: Ken Tyrrell #23
1st 98 Stirling Moss 31 mins. 23 secs., 76.47 mph
2nd 12 Don Parker
3rd 47 Les Leston
4th 44 Charles Headland
Fastest Lap: Bob Gerard 1 min. 31.0 secs., 79.12 mph
Note: Bob Gerard dnf
Note: Leslie Thorne lost all but top gear
Note: Peter Reece in a "de Dion J.P." spun on dropped oil
Note: Stirling Moss won by 17 seconds
Note: Ken Tyrrell #23
Formula Libre Cars (50 laps/100 miles)
1st 35 Ken Wharton 1 hr. 12 mins. 33.2 secs., 82.7 mph
2nd 38 Tony Rolt
3rd 105 Jack Fairman/Roy Salvadori
4th 57 Ninian Sanderson
Fastest Lap: Ken Wharton 1 min. 24 secs., 85.71 mph (new lap record)
Note: Jack Fairman took Ron Flockhart's place but was later replaced near the end by Roy Salvadori
Note: Ron Flockhart drove an E.R.A. but halted with falling oil pressure
Note: Roy Salvadori left the road and damaged the steering and dnf (see Note 1)
Note: Stirling Moss retired with engine flutter
Note: John Coombs (Connaught) pitted with clouds of steam from the header tank
Note: Farina retired with ignition derangement (see below)
1st 35 Ken Wharton 1 hr. 12 mins. 33.2 secs., 82.7 mph
2nd 38 Tony Rolt
3rd 105 Jack Fairman/Roy Salvadori
4th 57 Ninian Sanderson
Fastest Lap: Ken Wharton 1 min. 24 secs., 85.71 mph (new lap record)
Note: Jack Fairman took Ron Flockhart's place but was later replaced near the end by Roy Salvadori
Note: Ron Flockhart drove an E.R.A. but halted with falling oil pressure
Note: Roy Salvadori left the road and damaged the steering and dnf (see Note 1)
Note: Stirling Moss retired with engine flutter
Note: John Coombs (Connaught) pitted with clouds of steam from the header tank
Note: Farina retired with ignition derangement (see below)
Extract from Appendix I "Performance of Ferraris" 1953 - 4.5 litre unsupercharged
REFERENCES
1. Autosport August 21st 1953
2. Motor Sport September 1953
3. The Motor August 19th 1953
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport August 21st 1953
Ken Wharton BRM and Cooper-Bristol
Ken Wharton with F2 and Formula Libre trophies
Stirling Moss
Don Parker
Reg Parnell
Ron Flockhart
Ian Stewart
Alex McGlashan
Jack Walton
Cliff Davis
Leslie Thorne
Roy Salvadori
11 car line up for Event 2 Sports Car Race up to 1500cc S and 2500cc U/s
REF 2. MotorSport September 1953
Ken Wharton (Cooper Bristol)
Stirling Moss, who arrived at Charterhall in an XK120 coupe
Don Parker
Reg Parnell
J.H. Walton
REF 3. The Motor August 19th 1953
Jack Walton
Cliff Davis
Reg Parnell
REF 4. Top Gear September 1953
see report below by Angus Kyle, one of the most comprehensive I have come across
1. Autosport August 21st 1953
2. Motor Sport September 1953
3. The Motor August 19th 1953
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport August 21st 1953
Ken Wharton BRM and Cooper-Bristol
Ken Wharton with F2 and Formula Libre trophies
Stirling Moss
Don Parker
Reg Parnell
Ron Flockhart
Ian Stewart
Alex McGlashan
Jack Walton
Cliff Davis
Leslie Thorne
Roy Salvadori
11 car line up for Event 2 Sports Car Race up to 1500cc S and 2500cc U/s
REF 2. MotorSport September 1953
Ken Wharton (Cooper Bristol)
Stirling Moss, who arrived at Charterhall in an XK120 coupe
Don Parker
Reg Parnell
J.H. Walton
REF 3. The Motor August 19th 1953
Jack Walton
Cliff Davis
Reg Parnell
REF 4. Top Gear September 1953
see report below by Angus Kyle, one of the most comprehensive I have come across
#102 David Blakely driving a Lionel Leonard M.G. (David's surname misprinted here and in programme) came back into the news for a more sinister reason in April 1955. He was murdered on Easter Sunday by Ruth Ellis who soon after became the last woman to be hanged in the United Kingdom.
Surely not for entertainment or historical accuracy, the relationship between David Blakely and Ruth Ellis became the subject of a film called "Dance With A Stranger" which I cannot recommend. There are a few short scenes of airfield racing and the film presents David building his own racing car the Emperor. More interesting is the documentary currently being aired in February 2024 on Talking Pictures called "Ruth Ellis and the Mystery Lover" which is quite revealing and despite what anyone may think of Ruth Ellis, she reportedly died solemnly believing in her punishment amounting to "a life for a life." Cliff Davis #2 Tojeiro also speaks in this documentary. Much closer to Charterhall, the last hanging in Berwick took place in 1823. Such is our apparent appetite to dramatise these events that "A Kind of Justice" was recorded for the Berwick Literary Festival and questioned whether Grace Griffin was guilty of her crime.
Surely not for entertainment or historical accuracy, the relationship between David Blakely and Ruth Ellis became the subject of a film called "Dance With A Stranger" which I cannot recommend. There are a few short scenes of airfield racing and the film presents David building his own racing car the Emperor. More interesting is the documentary currently being aired in February 2024 on Talking Pictures called "Ruth Ellis and the Mystery Lover" which is quite revealing and despite what anyone may think of Ruth Ellis, she reportedly died solemnly believing in her punishment amounting to "a life for a life." Cliff Davis #2 Tojeiro also speaks in this documentary. Much closer to Charterhall, the last hanging in Berwick took place in 1823. Such is our apparent appetite to dramatise these events that "A Kind of Justice" was recorded for the Berwick Literary Festival and questioned whether Grace Griffin was guilty of her crime.
The Right Honourable Francis Richard Henry Penn Curzon, 5th Earl Howe has a LINK to David Blakely mentioned earlier and six other racing drivers including Marino Franchitti and Paddy Hopkirk.
The practice of swapping chassis plates came to my notice mainly through reading about dubious original Lotus variants. However Earl Howe's Bugatti Type 57 history bears out the fact that this practice is anything but modern LINK.
The practice of swapping chassis plates came to my notice mainly through reading about dubious original Lotus variants. However Earl Howe's Bugatti Type 57 history bears out the fact that this practice is anything but modern LINK.
above #1 the ex Lionel Leonard Cooper M.G. JOY 500
September 12th : Scottish S.C.C. Bo'ness Hill Climb
Sports Cars Handicap Heat 1 (7 laps/14 miles)
1st 45 Ian Scott-Watson 54.5 mph
2nd 42 A.R.G. Fingland
3rd 63 Jimmy Gibbon
With his winnings from what was the very first race he took part in,
Ian Scott-Watson bought the the B.M.R.C. Trophy. Ian was very nicely
surprised when Jim Clark was the first winner of the B.M.R.C. Trophy
race on Saturday 5th October 1957, the presentation being made at
the Annual Dance in the Kings Arms Hotel on 25th January 1958.
1st 45 Ian Scott-Watson 54.5 mph
2nd 42 A.R.G. Fingland
3rd 63 Jimmy Gibbon
With his winnings from what was the very first race he took part in,
Ian Scott-Watson bought the the B.M.R.C. Trophy. Ian was very nicely
surprised when Jim Clark was the first winner of the B.M.R.C. Trophy
race on Saturday 5th October 1957, the presentation being made at
the Annual Dance in the Kings Arms Hotel on 25th January 1958.
Sports Cars Handicap Heat 2 (7 laps/14 miles)
1st 90 H.D. Brown-Kelly 58.3 mph
2nd 95 Gordon Lockhart
3rd 81 Nigel Kennedy
1st 90 H.D. Brown-Kelly 58.3 mph
2nd 95 Gordon Lockhart
3rd 81 Nigel Kennedy
Sports Cars Handicap Final (7 laps/14 miles)
1st 95 J.G. Lockhart 67.3 mph
2nd 81 N.A. Kennedy
3rd 65 A.R. Miller
4th 48 Desmond Titterington (Jack Walton's Frazer-Nash)
5th 62 J.D.L. Melvin
6th 45 Ian Scott-Watson
1st 95 J.G. Lockhart 67.3 mph
2nd 81 N.A. Kennedy
3rd 65 A.R. Miller
4th 48 Desmond Titterington (Jack Walton's Frazer-Nash)
5th 62 J.D.L. Melvin
6th 45 Ian Scott-Watson
Formula III (10 laps/20 miles)
1st 84 Ninian Sanderson 74.2 mph
2nd 36 Keith Hall
3rd 46 Alex McGlashan
Unlimited Sports Cars and Specials (10 laps/20 miles)
1st 49 J.H. Walton 78 mph
2nd 48 Desmond Titterington (Jack Walton's Frazer-Nash)
3rd 98 Joe Kelly (XK120 C)
Note: John Melvin retired on the 9th lap with a burst front tyre.
1st 84 Ninian Sanderson 74.2 mph
2nd 36 Keith Hall
3rd 46 Alex McGlashan
Unlimited Sports Cars and Specials (10 laps/20 miles)
1st 49 J.H. Walton 78 mph
2nd 48 Desmond Titterington (Jack Walton's Frazer-Nash)
3rd 98 Joe Kelly (XK120 C)
Note: John Melvin retired on the 9th lap with a burst front tyre.
Formula Libre (10 laps/20 miles)
1st 69 Ron Flockhart 80.9 mph
2nd 49 J.H. Walton
3rd 37 Jimmy Somervail (ERA R12B)
Note: #38 Jock McBain may have come 4th after a battle with #37 who took 3rd place on the ninth
1st 69 Ron Flockhart 80.9 mph
2nd 49 J.H. Walton
3rd 37 Jimmy Somervail (ERA R12B)
Note: #38 Jock McBain may have come 4th after a battle with #37 who took 3rd place on the ninth
REFERENCES
1. Autosport September 25th 1953
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport September 25th 1953
Jimmy Gibbon
John Melvin
Alex McGlashan
Keith Hall
1. Autosport September 25th 1953
PHOTOGRAPHS
REF 1. Autosport September 25th 1953
Jimmy Gibbon
John Melvin
Alex McGlashan
Keith Hall
Oulton Park 3rd October 1953
Newcastle and District Motor Club Hunter Cup Trial
13th December 1953
Ian Scott-Watson gained a Class C Award for B&DMC in his 1250c.c. M.G. TC in which he'd won his first race (above) at Charterhall
"Stirling Moss", a biography by Robert Raymond of the 23 year old's five years of racing was published and reviewed in Autosport September 25th. The final sentence goes on to say .......... one wonders how many similar works will follow, to chronicle the story of achievements yet to come.