Sunday Speed: 1957 Whitchurch Sprint
Back in 1957, Whitchurch Airfield closed as Bristol International Airport in Lulsgate was now Bristol’s preferred airport, thanks to its position a long way out of town. It left behind a runway that we thought might be rather useful. We negotiated the use of the runway for one day of straight line competition over a quarter mile with the help of our friends at Burnham-on-Sea Motor Club. It was announced in the Evening Post on 7th May that year.
Here’s how we reported on it in out club magazine in July of 1957…
First Lulsgate, then Castle Combe saw the change over from aeroplanes to racing cars and within a short time from the removal from Whitchurch of the Bristol Airport, the main runway gave place from its aircraft to the wheels of fast moving cars. True, the Sprint Meeting hold on Saturday, May 25th, was only a small affair compared with those seen at the first named air circuits but the jointly promoted “Quarter Mile Speed Trial” put on by this Club in conjunction with the Motor
Club and the M. G. Car Club (South West Contre) attracted a good entry and a large number of spectators.
Last year at Castle Combe this Club was the main organizer and this year Burnham Motor Club, under the direction of Mrs. Buncombe, vas principal in the arrangements.
The weather was dry and bright and the local inhabitants turned out in large numbers, especially considerable numbers of children who were at many times more interested in the competing cars than the Organizers would have wished, but the Marshals and the Public Address, ably handled under the direction of the well
known Commentator, Derek Burston, suceeded in keeping the inquisitive juniors away from danger and the course clear for the cars. Whitchurch Airport turned out to be full of wide open spaces and would be most difficult to organize as a Closed arena for any major event, but the Spectators were given a good view of the care and the Parking space was more than adequate. It is estimated sone thousand people saw the event and many enjoyed refreshments at the Start.
This event showed the need of more support from Club Members by a lack of marshals and others willing to do the more uninteresting part or an event. Whilst Competitors wore plentiful, the mere handful of helpers who came forth to control spectator and car parking areas were swamped in a brave effort to control what
frankly was beyond them, and a lack of appreciation of spectator entry to the Airport resulted in bad planning of the Car Park and paddock regions. The timing arrangements for Competitors also gave rise to criticism, both from Competitors and officials. It was regretted that no adequate breaks were made for refreshments, especially as the event terminated quite early.
Thanks should go to the Bristol Police for their help and to the Corporation of Bristol for permission to use the Airport. Whilst it was felt the Organizers had done what they could under the circumstances, the Airport is really not suitable for any event where spectators are liable to visit unless large numbers of marshals and other arrangements can be made and, in close proximity to a big housing area spectators are to be expected, and and expected to filter on to the Airport from numerous obvious and many less obvious entries.
The results are as follows:
Fastest Time of the Day — Maberley Parker (C Type Jaguar) – 15.0 sec.
Best Burnham-on-Sea Member — John Buncombe (Tojeiro/Bristol) – 15.4 sec.
Best Bristol M.C. & L.C.C. Member – Chas. Sgonina (Aston Martin DB3) – 16.4 sec.
Best MGCC Member driving Production MG — Eddie Searle (MGA) – 19.0 sec.
Best Lady Driver — Mrs. Roberta S. Warren (TR2) – 17.9 sec.
