The poor condition of the banking is clear to see in this 1920 photo, taken before the newly formed RAF had made some repairs
Bedford’s error in the heat of the Short Handicap led to a stripped timing gear pin during his extra lap and a frantic rush to prepare the car for the Essex Long Handicap heats which were timed to begin just 20 minutes after the start of the previous race. In this next race for cars, Bedford managed second behind Beadle, with Campbell now in his 2.6 Litre Talbot third. Heat two was won by LH Mander in a Mathis and the Talbot piloted by Campbell went on to win the final.
Emerson shines We are told that one of the most exciting races of the day was the one-lap 500cc solo sprint. Once again, Emerson was punching above his weight on the smaller ABC, up against DR O’Donovan on a 490cc Norton. As previous record holders, they were the favourites and the crowds were reported to be cheering and banging on the railings as the two tiny specks appeared in the distance. As they slowly came into view, it was Donovan in the lead with the ABC close behind. With just 100 yards to go, Emerson broke cover and crept slowly
32
past the Norton to take victory, with VE Horsman a lonely third and a long way ahead of the trailing field. The fastest
race of the afternoon was the 1000cc Solo Sprint won by Jack Woodhouse and the Matchless MAG at
75.9mph. OM Baldwin on a Matchless was second and HR Harveyson riding an Indian third.
The last race of the day was the three- wheeled handicap for motorcycles and sidecars and three-wheeled cars of any size. This was another three-lap handicap race with a finish on the straight and consisted of five sidecars and three Morgans. Three of the sidecars failed to start
and EB Ware in a JAP-powered Morgan won, followed by WD Hawkes in another Morgan. Osborne de Lissa piloting a Motosacoche sidecar had been over a minute ahead of the field to begin with, but only managed third. Fourth was EC Braganwath riding a Zenith combination.
BROOKLANDS BULLETIN | MARCH - APRIL 2020
Emerson’s One Hour Race Trophy won on 29 May 1920
The only remaining rider was DR O’Donovan, who we are told seemed out of his element, finishing slowly in last place. All the big names were back at the track on 29 May for the second BMCRC meeting of the year. It featured the first senior, long distance race since World War One. Jack Emerson and the ABC were in fine form and contemporary reports said: ‘He put up a wonderful exhibition of consistent and fast racing’. After an hour and 20 circuits of the track averaging more than 64mph, he finished seven laps ahead of LE Pope on a Zenith. HR Harveyson on an Indian was third. Brooklands Museum has acquired
Emerson’s one-hour race trophy together with some albums and the crash helmet featured in the November- December 2019 Bulletin. This helmet bears the Douglas logo indicating that it may have been used after his ABC success.
The 5 April meeting was cancelled due to heavy rain. This programme of the event still displays the postponed date.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
