Over a hundred vintage cars made their way to Derbyshire for the annual Vintage Sports-Car Club John Harris Derbyshire Trial
For their second year in charge, Clerks-of-the-Course Andrew Staples and Stephen Fathers have introduced some new stages to freshen-up the event, and a large turn-out was their reward. The new Stone Edge Squiggle stage was particularly tricky with only one maximum score of 25 points by David Golightly in his Model T-based Morton and Brett Special. David, with passenger Carla Smith, went on to record the day’s highest aggregate points total of 289 to win the Batho Trophy for Class 1b, short wheelbase modified cars. Close behind was the local (Millthorpe) pairing of Louise Bunting and Richard Parsons in Louise’s 1919 GN Touring, who included eight clear runs in their total of 277 points. Swadlincote’s Ron Bailey and David Dye (Austin 7) always show well on this event, and their score of 229 included five clear runs. David Leigh (Frazer Nash Interceptor) took Class 1a honours (Standard Short Wheelbase).
Graham White and his Lea-Francis 12/40 regularly make the long journey from Devon for this event. Graham was rewarded with victory in the Long Wheelbase Class 1b, taking the Marsh Trophy with 230 points. His total included five clear runs and placed him 18 points clear of Steve White in his Riley Ford Special. Class 1a for Standard Long Wheelbase cars was a close contest. Marcus Creaser in his Model Ford A took the day by just two points from the Ford A Tudor Saloon of Dr Jonathan Rose.
Congratulations, too, to the event organisers whose catering efforts – led by Jane Wildsmith and Tina Fathers – at the start and finish point, Ashover Village Hall, raised £600 for Ashgate Hospice.
