Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

Registered UK Charity (No. 115342)

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 162,259 pages of information and 244,500 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

1907/08/05 Brooklands Race Meeting

From Graces Guide

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

The third meeting held at Brooklands was on Monday 5th August 1907 (August Bank Holiday).

Persons named in this article

Automobiles named in this article

PROGRAMME OF THE THIRD MEETING

Mr. R. W. Crowly, press secretary of the Brooklands Automobile Racing Club, writes that the meeting arranged for Saturday, August 3rd, has been cancelled, and this has enabled a very strong programme to be arranged for Bank Holiday, August 5th.

The race for the Daimler Plate will not be held on that day as announced. In its stead the International Plate and Walton Stakes, originally fixed for August 3rd, have been transferred to Monday's list of races. At least two more events will be added. A summary of the entries for the various races in the enlarged programme is given below. An entirely new feature will be the half-mile sprint for the Oatlands Selling Plate.

The member’s car enclosure, which has been arranged on a plot of ground bordering the inner edge of the track, will be ready for use at this meeting. It is situated near the fork at the entrance to the finishing straight, and will be approached from the Byfleet Road through a new entrance.

On Bank Holiday the charge for admission to the popular enclosure will be reduced from half a crown to one shilling, the prices for the two other enclosures remaining unaltered.

THE WHITE STEAM CAR PLATE OF 150 SOVS. For White steam motor cars of the 30 h.p. type of 1907. Distance, 5.997 miles.

  • F. Coleman,
  • Col. Wentworth Forbes,
  • Percy W. Northey,
  • F. Payne,
  • Col. John Roper Wright,
  • Earl Russell,
  • Lord Blythswood,
  • Sir John Murray,
  • E. C. Wright, and
  • J. W. Hunt.

THE HEATH STAKES OF 350 SOVS. For motor cars propelled by means of internal-combustion engines only. Distance, 2.155 miles.—

  • S. F. Edge (60 h.p. Napier),
  • J. E. Hutton (120 h.p. Mercedes),
  • A. Huntley Walker (80 h.p. Darracq),
  • Florian Rendle (120 h.p. Mercedes), and
  • E. G. Drabble (Mercedes).

THE OATLANDS SELLING PLATE OF 200 SOVS. For motor cars propelled by means of internal-combustion engines only. The winner to be sold by auction for 100 sovs. Distance, 0.5623 mile.-

  • S. F. Edge (24 h.p. Napier),
  • S. F. Edge (30 h.p. Napier),
  • A. Huntley Walker (8.10 h.p. Darracq),
  • A. Huntley Walker (8-10 h.p. Darracq),
  • F. S. Bennett (8 h.p. Cadillac),
  • J. W. Madeley (Cadillac),
  • H. P. Barker (8-10 h.p. Darracq),
  • J. J. C. Bradley (15 h.p. Queen), and
  • C. Jarrott (9 h.p. Sizaire et Naudin).

THE BELGIAN PLATE OF 350 SOVS. For cars which comply with the regulations of the Ardennes Circuit Race. Distance, 11.4328 miles.—

  • S. F. Edge (60 h.p. Napier),
  • S. F. Edge (60 h.p. Napier),
  • S. F. Edge (60 h.p. Napier),
  • A. Huntley Walker (30-40 h.p. Darracq),
  • D. Citroen (Minerva),
  • D. Citroen (Minerva),
  • Oscar Capper (50-60 h.p. Metallurgique),
  • Warwick J. Wright (Minerva),
  • A. Lee-Guinness (Minerva), and
  • J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon (Minerva).

THE WALTON STAKES OF 200 SOVS. For motor cars of a price not exceeding £850. Distance, 3.2799 miles.—

  • A. Huntley Walker (30-40 h.p. Darracq),
  • A. Huntley Walker (30-40 h.p. Darracq),
  • D. Citroen (Minerva),
  • D. Citroen (Minerva),
  • A. Wyness Stuart (Spa),
  • E. Herington (35 h.p. Ariel-Simplex),
  • F. Coleman (30 h.p. White steam),
  • Percy Northey (30 1-.p. White steam),
  • J. W. Taylor (Wasp),
  • J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon (Minerva),
  • A. Lee-Guinness (Minerva), and
  • Warwick J. Wright (Minerva).

THE INTERNATIONAL PLACE OF 500 SOVS. For motor cars propelled by means of internal-combustion engines only, to be driven by subjects of the country of origin of that vehicle, with that country's flag as a distinguishing mark. Distance, 8.715 miles.—

  • S. F. Edge (45 h.p. Napier),
  • A. Huntley Walker (30-40 h.p. Darracq),
  • D. Citroen (Minerva),
  • D. Citroen (Minerva),
  • D. Jameson (Spa),
  • E. Herington (30 h.p. Ariel-Simplex),
  • Mrs. G. E. Taylor (60 h.p. Gobron Brillie),
  • Tom Thornycroft (45 h.p. Thornycroft),
  • Louis Soncin (40 11.p. Dietrich), and
  • Charles Jarrott (60 h.p. Lorraine- Dietrich).

THE PRIX DE LA FRANCE OF 800 SOVS. For motor cars which comply with the regulations of the Grand Prix of 1907. Distance, 15.473 miles.—

  • F. R. Fry (120 h.p. Mercedes).
  • S. F. Edge (60 h.p. Napier),
  • S. F. Edge (80 h.p. Napier).
  • S. F. Edge (45 h.p. Napier),
  • J. E. Hutton (120 h.p. Mercedes),
  • A. Huntley Walker (120 h.p. Darracq),
  • H. M. Gordon (110 h.p. Motobloc),
  • Louis Soncin (Lorraine-Dietrich).
  • Prince d'Arenberg (Lorraine-Dietrich racer),
  • Baron A. de Turckheim (100 h.p. Dietrich),
  • Florian Rendle (120 h.p. Mercedes), and
  • E. G. Drabble (Mercedes).

THE BANK HOLIDAY MEETING

The third open race meeting at Brooklands, held on Monday last, consisted of seven races, all of which were interesting, and even at times exciting. The new rule re oxygen did not stop the winning scores of the Napiers. The Darracq car was not so much in evidence as heretofore, while Daimlers were absent. A full stud of Minervas turned out, and met with fair success.

The weather was ideal, the sun being summer-like, while a genial breeze kept the air cool. Just after the first race a sudden heavy shower scattered the spectators, who retreated under the fir trees and any adjacent shelter, but not for long. This was the only rain during the day.

The general arrangements were, on the whole, good, and the inducement put forward by the Brooklands A.R.C. to the general public to witness the new sport, by making a shilling gate, met with a gratifying success. Society people were not in evidence to any great extent, nor were they expected in Cowes week. There must have been, in spite of the absence of society, close upon 15,000 people present, and the enthusiasm they showed in running from one side of the enclosure to the other to see the utmost possible of the racing was refreshing to witness from the point of view of the track proprietors and from an educational standpoint.

The right of way, too, was well patronised, there being close on 300 of the villagers - and others - getting the benefit of the legal quibble, free and undisturbed.

A military band played throughout the proceedings, and the car owners and drivers showed a good example in the car sheds by omitting what has hitherto been an unpleasant experience, viz., the fusillade of the exhausts. The bookmakers were also quieter, so that for the first time it was evident to those in the enclosure that the band was not indulging in mere dumb pantomime.

The racing was good, and in the Prix de la France D. Resta got in first. Whereas in former races he has had all the bad luck, in spite of good driving he on Monday enjoyed good luck throughout. J. E. Hutton was not favoured by fortune. En route, after leading the first lap, he lost his bonnet, a water pipe burst, his accelerator pedal broke, and a back tyre deflated. In connection with the detachment of his bonnet, an exciting incident was witnessed. Hutton and Resta were leading the others by a distance, and as Hutton's bonnet flew off on the back straight an official ran forward to pick it up. As he did so, he realised that, standing in the centre of the track, he could not retreat, for the other cars, all going at from eighty to ninety miles per hour, were on him. He had the presence of mind to stand quite still, with the bonnet close to him, and the drivers all skilful], avoided him, the cars thundering by him on both sides. It was all over in a flash, but it was an experience the man would not care to go through again. He looked thoroughly scared as he eventually crawled off the track with the derelict bonnet.

In this race, the telegraph board went wrong in the last two laps, and the cars had to be carefully watched in passing to get their positions.

In the International Plate, the English cars showed up well, getting first and third, thanks to Messrs. Edge and Thornycroft. The Marquis de M. St. Mars's 53.9 h.p. Darracq went but did not start, owing to a sooted plug, caused by excessive lubrication. The 51.1 h.p. Spa had its off side front tyre collapse in this race.

The steam car race was an interesting one design event. The public seemed quite mystified by the high note the burners gave at forced speeds. They had become accustomed to the noise of the petrol cars, and the change of note seemed to surprise them greatly. The race for first and second places was very close.

The Oatlands Selling Plate saw a Napier successful and some spirited bidding took place, £130 being the first offer. In 5 bids the price ran up, Colonel Carleton Smith getting the winner at last for £215.

In the Prix de la France, the cars ran on an allowance of 1.8 gallons of petrol, which was given to each car before going to the gate. There was some talk of an objection at the finish, but it was overruled, and the race stood as in the order of finishing. It was stated that the petrol was not measured out with the strictest accuracy, but no objection could be sustained. Duray went a lap over in this race, but it did not interfere with his position which was not a forward one in the race.

RESULTS

The INTERNATIONAL PLATE of 500 sovs.; the entrant of the winner to receive 350 sovs.; the entrant of the second 100 sovs.; and the entrant of the third 50 sovs; for motor cars propelled by means of internal combustion engines only, of a cylinder dimension under 135; to be driven by subjects of the country of origin of the vehicle. Weight, 3,200 lbs. Distance, 8.75 miles.

  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 49.9 h.p. NAPIER, 3,200 lbs. . . . (England) . . . F. NEWTON 1
  • Mr. C. Jarrott's 52.9 h.p. DIETRICH, 3,324 lbs. . . . (France) . . . Gabriel 2
  • Mr. T. Thornycroft's 48.6 h.p. THORNYCROFT, 3,200 lbs. . . . (England) . . . Owner 3
  • Mr. D. Citroen's 52.1 h.p. Minerva, 3,200 lbs. . . . (Belgium) . . . A. Janssen 0
  • Mr. D. Jameson's 51.1 h.p. Spa, 3,200 lbs. . . . (Italy) . . . A. Capris 0
  • Mr. A. Huntley Walker's 53.9 h.p. Darraeq, 3,200 lbs. . . . (France) . . . Marquis de M. St. Mars 0
  • Mr. Citroen's 52.1 h.p. Minerva, 3,200 lbs. . . . (Belgium) . . . H. Porlier 0
  • Mr. E. Herington's 47.2 h. p. Ariel-Simplex, 3,209 lbs. . . . (England) . . . P. Lewis 0
  • Mrs. G. E. Taylor's 51.8 h.p. Gobron-Brillie, 3,337 lbs. . . . (France) . . . M. Lespagnalles 0
  • Mr. L. Soncin's 48.6 h.p. Dietrich, 3,200 lbs. . . . (France) . . . Owner 0

This was a keen race between the Napier, Dietrich, and the Minerva cars. Newton on the Napier made fine progress in the second and third lap, however, and in an exciting finish beat Gabriel on the Dietrich by about eighty yards. The Minerva driven by A. Janssen just failed to beat Thornycroft for third place.

The WHITE STEAM CAR PLATE of 150 sovs.; the entrant of the winner to receive 100 sovs., and the entrant of the second 50 sovs.; for White steam motor ears of the 30 h.p. type of 1907. Weight, 3,600 lbs. Distance, about six miles.

  • Mr. F. Coleman's, 3,600 lbs. . . . G HOLLOWAY 1
  • Col. J. Roper Wright's, 3,600 lbs. . . . W. Taylor 2
  • Mr. F. Payne's, 3,603 lbs. . . . H. Payne 3
  • Sir J. Murray's, 3,601 lbs. . . . F. Corke 0
  • Col. Wentworth Forbes', 3,600 lbs. . . . H. Turner 0
  • Mr. P. Northey's, 3,000 lbs. . . . H. T. Cummings 0

Earl Russell entered a 30 h.p. White, but owing to his military duties he was unable to let it be used. Lord Blythswood's car was also a non-starter. The race was between the first two cars, who raced bonnet and bonnet. Coleman's car eventually getting the better of a good sprint by half length. The third car was nearly a mile behind.

The HEATH STAKES of 350 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 25 sovs. each for starters only; the entrant of the second to receive 100 sovs, of the stakes; for motor cars propelled by means of internal combustion engines only, of a cylinder dimension under 200. Weight 3,000 lbs. Distance, about 2.125 miles.

  • Mr. J. E. Hutton's 75.9 h.p. MERCEDES, 3,000 lbs. . . . OWNER 1
  • Mr. A. Huntley Walker's 71.6 h.p. DARRACQ, 3,000 lbs. . . . Demogeot 2
  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 60 h.p. Napier, 3,046 lbs. . . . C. Edge 3

Sir E. G. Drabble's 75.9 h.p. Mercedes and Mr. F. Rendle's 75.9 h.p. Mercedes did not start. This race was a procession, the Mercedes getting away at the start, and winning by about one hundred yards, double that distance separating the second from the 'third.

The BELGIAN PLATE of 350 sovs., the entrant of the winner to receive 250 sovs., and the entrant of the second 100 sovs.; for motor cars which comply with the regulations of the Ardennes Circuit Race, 1907. Weight, 2,950 lbs. Distance, 11.4 miles.

  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 60 h.p. NAPIER, 3,114 lbs. . . . H. C. TRYON 1
  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 60 h.p. NAPIER, 3,110 lbs. C. Edge 2
  • Mr. D. Citron's 52.1 h.p. MINERVA, 3,186 lbs. . . . H. Purler 3
  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 61.5 h.p. Napier, 2,950 lbs. . . . C. A. Wentworth 0
  • Mr. J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon's 52.1 h.p. Minerva, 3,270 lbs. . . . Owner 0
  • Mr. A. Huntley Walker's 48.6 h.p. Darracq, 2,958 lbs. . . . Marquis de M. St. Mars 0
  • Mr. D. Citroen's 52.1 h.p. Minerva, 3,154 lbs. . . . Godeau 0

Mr O. Cupper's 49.2 h.p. Metallurque, Mr. A. Lee Guinness's 52.1 h.p. Minerva, and Mr. Warwick J. Wright's 52.1 h.p. Minerva, did not start.

The winning Napier led from the start, with two Minervas in close pursuit, and Cecil Edge's Napier next. In the second lap the two Napiers led, and the order was not changed to the finish, Tryon winning by 200 yards, with Porlier’s Minerva nearly half a mile behind. Moore-Brabazon was fourth, Godeau fifth, the Darracq sixth, and Wentworth's Napier last, this car not going at all well.

The OATLANDS 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 100 sovs. Weight, 1,800 lbs. for cars of a cylinder dimension 40, and 3.465 lbs. allowed or added for every 0.1 difference of dimension. Distance about 0.6 of a mile.

  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 38.4 h.p. NAPIER, 5,740 lbs. . . . J. F. BROWNING 1
  • Mr. C. Jarrott's 8.9 h.p. SIZAIRE, 1,330 lbs. . . . R. O. Clark 2
  • Mr. H. P. Barker's 10 h.p. Darracq, 1,284 lbs. . . . Owner 3
  • Mr. F. S. Bennett's 10 h.p. Cadillac, 1,284 lbs. . . . Owner 0
  • Mr. J. W. Madeley's 10 h.p. Cadillac, 1,280 lbs. . . . Owner 0
  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 25.6 h.p. Napier, 2,642 lbs. . . . J. Hennessy 0
  • Mr. J. J. C. Bradley's 20 h.p. Queen, 2,147 lbs. . . . N. Macklin 0

This race produced an extraordinary assortment of machines. The distance was from the fork at the junction of the straight with the circuit, and the 38.4 h.p. Napier led all the way. It won by a hundred yards, the 8.9 h.p. Sizaire beating the 10 h.p. Darracq for second place by a length. The winning car was afterwards sold at auction, after a bidding duel, for £215, the purchaser being Col. Carleton Smith.

The PRIX DE LA FRANCE of 800 sovs.; the entrant of the winner to receive 600 sovs., and the entrant of the second 200 sovs.; for motor cars which comply with the regulations of the Grand Prix of 1907. Weight, 2,600 lbs. Distance, 15.75 miles.

  • Mr. F. R. Fry's 75.9 h.p. MERCEDES, 2,820 lbs. . . . D. RESTA 1
  • Mr. J. E. Hutton's 75.9 h.p. MERCEDES, 2,600 lb. . . . Owner 2
  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 60 h.p. Napier, 2,930 lbs. . . . H. C. Tryon 3
  • Mr. F. Rendle's 75.9 h.p. Mercede, 2,800 lbs. . . . A. G. Brown 0
  • Mr. S. F. Edge's 49.9 h.p. Napier, 2,869 lbs. . . . F. Newton 0
  • Mr. H. M. Gordon's 67.5 h.p. Motobloc, 3,410 lbs. A. Debuissy 0
  • Mr. L. Soncin's 84.9 h.p. Dietrich. 2.931 lbs. . . . Owner 0
  • Mr. S. F.Edge's 93.7 h.p. Napier, 2,712 lb. . . . C. Edge 0
  • Prince d'Arenberg's 80.4 h.p. Dietrich, 3.225 lbs. . . . Gabriel 0
  • Mr. A. Huntley Walker's 80.3 h.p. DARRACQ, 2,658 lbs. . . . Demogeot 0
  • Baron Turckheim's 80.4 11.p. Dietrich, 3,160 lbs. . . . Duray 0

Mr. E. G. Drabble's 75.9 h.p. Mercedes was entered but did not run.

When the gate went up Hutton's Mercedes went off with the lead, with Fry's Mercedes second, and at a long gap Edge's Napier driven by Tryon, then the Motobloc, Rendle's Mercedes, Edge's Napier, Newton driving, and Prince d'Arenberg's Dietrich. Resta took the lead with Fry's Mercedes in the second lap, Hutton next, and Napier (Tryon) third. They kept this order until the fifth lap, when Hutton, after an exciting race, passed Resta on the banking. He then met with several mishaps, his bonnet flying off, the accelerator pedal breaking, and a water pipe bursting. Resta then went in front again and won by 100 yards, the Napier being 300 yards in the rear of Hutton.

To add further to the delay of the latter a back tyre gave out, and was flat on the rim when he finished. During this race the number board went wrong, and as there are only four slots to slip the numbers in, and two became choked, it was almost impossible to see the order of the cars. Duray, on Baron Turckheim's Dietrich, went a lap over and lost his chance of a place. A front tyre on Prince d'Arenberg's Dietrich gave way, the rubber flapping loose on the edge of the canvas as the car finished. An allowance of 1.1 gallons of petrol was measured out to each car, this being calculated to be proportionally the same as used for the race in France.

The WALTON STAKES of 200 sovs., added to a sweep stake of 10 sovs. each; the entrant of the second to receive 50 sovs. out of the stakes; for motor cars of a price not exceeding £850. Weight, 3,500 lbs.; 38.25 lbs. allowed for every £10 that the price of the vehicle is below £850. Distance about 3.25 miles.

  • Mr. J. T. C. Moore Brabazon's £800 MINERVA, 3,309 lbs. . . . OWNER I
  • Mr. A. Huntley Walker's £675 DARRACQ, 3,121 lbs. . . . Owner 2
  • Mr. D. Citroen's 1,800 Minerva, 3,309 lbs. . . . H. Porlier 3
  • Mr. D. Citroen's £800 Minerva, 3,309 lbs. . . . A. Janssen 0
  • Mr. J. W. Taylor's £840 Wasp, 3,386 lbs. . . . F. Wilson White 0
  • Mr. F. Coleman's £675 White (steam), 2,966 lbs. . . . Owner 0
  • Mr. P. Northey's £675 White (steam), 2,850 lbs. . . . Owner 0
  • Mr. A. Huntley Walker's £625 Darracq, 2,941 lbs. . . . Marquis de M. St. Mars 0
  • Mr. E. Herington's £750 Ariel-Simplex, 3,226 lbs. . . . A. E. Harrison 0
  • Mr. A. Wyness-Stuart's £800 Spa, 3,309 lbs. . . . A. Cupris 0

Mr. A. Lee Guinness and Mr. Warwick J. Wright's £800 Minervas were entered but did not start.

A lap race won from start to finish by Moore Brahazon's Minerva, which finished sixty yards ahead of the Darracq, Porlier's Minerva being thirty yards further away. The Ariel-Simplex was fourth, Janssen's Minerva fifth, the Marquis de M. St. Mars's Darracq sixth, the Spa next, the Wasp last.

See Also

The Times, Tuesday, Aug 06, 1907

Loading...

Sources of Information

The Autocar Magazine of 3rd and 10th of Auguat 1907

Retrieved from "https://gracesguide.co.uk/index.php?title=1907/08/05_Brooklands_Race_Meeting&oldid=1268204"
Privacy policy Disclaimers About Grace’s Guide Contact Grace’s Guide

Grace's Guide web site design is Copyright © 2021 by Grace's Guide Ltd. The text of this web site is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Maintained by Sapere Software