V.S.C.C. Bob Gerard Memorial Meeting at Mallory Park - 22nd July, 2001

 Text: Carol Corliss
Pictures: Duncan Cartwright & John Sutton

It is fitting that this friendly circuit set in the countryside of Leicestershire should be host to the meeting that is a memorial to Bob Gerard, the popular Leicester driver who was a leading light of pre and post war racing in Britain. He ran a garage in Leicester and was a familiar figure on the local scene until his death in the seventies.

This meeting has become a magnet for the Edwardian faction of the Club and the annual race that has become a feature of this meeting acquired a new trophy, the Dick Baddiley Trophy. Dick was a tremendous character, part of the close-knit Nottingham/Leicester knot of Edwardian enthusiasts, his sunny disposition was a bonus to any gathering. He has been sadly missed since his recent death but has left a wonderful legacy behind. This trophy will help to ensure that he will not be forgotten.

Another traditional feature of this meeting is the Autojumble. Where does it all keep coming from? How many more barns can there be with undiscovered treasure hidden away for years?

I came across countless friends and acquaintances carrying away their prizes, a little lighter in the pockets but as happy as Larry (Who the heck was Larry anyway!)

The Walkers had happened upon an Edwardian wheel and were obviously more than happy with it

One intriguing item in the paddock was not quite what it seemed but so very well executed that it does deserve a closer look.

Barry Cannell bought a collection of Alfa Romeo 6 cylinder 2.3 parts that had been around for some time. Not to be confused with the much more sought after 8c 2.3 model, the 6c is becoming increasingly hard to find. Barry decided to construct a replica of the very beautiful Touring Corsa Spyder bodied 8 c.

The rear view of the car deserves to be seen too.

Barry makes no apologies for the lack of pedigree of his creation. In my view, he does not need to.

This is a beautiful looking vehicle in it's own right and will be out and about being enjoyed rather that languishing as a heap of parts.

Austin Sevens were also much in evidence, a six lap scratch race had been sponsored by Furnells and a field of over 30 cars were in contention. Every possible permutation of A7 bodywork was to be seen from obviously home built bodywork on vintage running gear to the sleek single seaters a'la Twin Cam style. This is still an excellent route for young hopefuls to gain racing experience with as little outlay as possible. The ratio of fun to money has to be one of the best in motor sport. The race was won by Frank Hernandez

A handful of E.R.A.s had turned up to battle for the Bob Gerard Memorial Trophy but this is not limited to that make so they are competing against later machinery but nevertheless always acquit themselves very well indeed.

The Morgan contingent had quite a presence in the paddock, their race is always greatly entertaining, the passengers always have my most earnest admiration, it's one thing to drive yourself a mad speeds but quite another thing to let someone else do it for you.

In good weather conditions, racing was as competitive as ever on this demandingly tight circuit and results were as follows:-
   

Race 1 6 Lap Scratch Race
1st Simon Davidmann - Riley TT Sprite Special 6.30.76
2nd Roy Spiers - Alvis 4.3 Special
3rd Brett Wilson - Wolseley Hornet Special

Race 2 Pre-1965 Formula Junior Race
John Taylor Memorial Race (12 laps)
1st Michael Hibberd - Lotus 20/22 11.11.65
2nd Simon Armer - Cooper T56
3rd David Stevenson - Lotus FJ 22

Race 3 6 Lap Handicap Race
1st Adrian Paul - Alvis Speed 20 Firefly 6.48.85
2nd James Diffey - GN Sports Special
3rd Tye Pountney - Riley 12/4 Special

Race 4 Morgan 3 Wheeler 6 Lap Race
1st Bill Tuer - Racing Morgan 7.26.94
2nd Greg Bibby - Super Sports
3rd Stuart Harper - E.B. Ware

Race 5 6 Lap Handicap Race
1st Robin Hasler - Riley 12/4 Special 7.30.67
2nd John Skeavington - Austin Seven Ulster Replica
3rd Jonathan Cobb - Frazer Nash Super Sports

Race 6 Bob Gerard Memorial Trophy for pre 1955 Racing Cars
(12 laps)
1st Kenneth White - Cooper Bristol 11.14.43
2nd John Ure - ERA R9B
3rd Neil Davies - Cooper Bristol

Race 7 Austin Seven Scratch Race (6 laps)
1st Frank Hernandez - Austin 7 Special 6.41.17
2nd Alan Mills - Austin 7 Ulster
3rd Jeremy Flann - Austin 7

Race 8 Dick Baddiley Trophy
Handicap Race For Edwardian Cars (6 laps)
1st David Baker - Theophile Schneider 8.59.22
2nd Jeff Edwards - Wolseley 20/28 (Wolsit)
3rd Richard Black - Peugeot 148

Race 9 Patrick Marsh Trophy For Vintage Racing Cars (12 laps)
1st Tim Llewellyn - Bentley 3/8 litre 11.58.71
2nd Stuart Harper - Morgan Super Aero
3rd Gary Caroline - Morgan Super Aero

Race 10 Handicap Race (6 laps)
1st Sarah Baker - British Salmson S4C Special 7.51.35
2nd Geoffrey Bradford - Riley Brooklands
3rd Robert Wardale - Riley Special

Race 11 Scratch Race (6 laps, in classes)
1st Gary Caroline - Morgan Super Aero 6.10.04
2nd Stuart Harper - Morgan Super Aero
3rd James Diffey - GN Sports Special