1964 Ken Wharton Driving Tests

1964 Ken Wharton Driving Tests

This report first appeared in Autosport 6th November 1964.

A GREAT DAY FOR THE IRISH

The annual Ken Wharton Memorial driving tests were held for the second year in succession at the Chateau Impney last Saturday. Much of the meeting was televised and the organization, perhaps because of this, was excellent. The changing of the tests and rebuilding of garages after the occasional upsets went with extraordinary rapidity and precision. The marshals had obviously been very well drilled. England, last year’s winners, went well but lacked the fire and precision of the Irish teams, Ulster finishing first and Eire second.

The first test, like all the others, started with a sprint through a straw-bale chicane, and then round a pylon to stop astride a line about 70 yards down a dirt road. Competitors then had to return up the road, forwards or backwards at will to the main car park, where another 360-degree turn was necessary, then a right angle turn into a garage and reverse into an adjacent garage. Finally forwards through the chicane to stop in a box. This test produced some exciting spin turns in the lane, especially from the Mini-Cooper S brigade.

Both the saloon-mounted members of the Dutch team used home-grown DAFs, cars which, although appearing well suited to driving tests because of their ingenious automatic transmission, proved much slower than the Minis which had much more power and “spinnability”. The test was interrupted after an excellent run for Eire’s Cecil Vard in the M.G. 1100 by an immaculate Mercedes bringing a bride and groom to their reception in the hotel. Bride Mrs. Allan Thompson, originally Janice Carroll of Quinton, later sportingly presented the trophies.

Test 2, after the chicane, had a loop round a pylon, then competitors had to stop astride or reverse over three lines at corners of the main square and then burn off down the lane to reverse over a line at the far end, then back, reverse over a line, round the first pylon, through the chicane to the finish.

Leslie Vard (Mini-Cooper S) for Eire made his one slip of the afternoon and recorded an incorrect performance. Jim Dryden, the most flamboyant and tyre ye J of all the Mini-men, struck the bank gently during a spin turn, but motored on unabated. The Woodside brothers from Ulster were both very fast on this test, Robert Woodside especially doing extremely well with a “traditional” Volkswagen. Andrew Bonar’s Turner was very noisy, but seemed to lack power at low revs.

The main feature of the next test was a 36 foot square box, inside which two 270-degree turns had to be made, one forwards and one in reverse. Also drivers had to circumnavigate a pylon on the rough section of the course which led to much agricultural motoring and a little fence thumping. Martyn Thomas’ Welsh Imp was very good here. About half the entrants managed to make the box in one. Leslie Vard was fast and furious but well controlled, while the three Dutchmen were neat, efficient, but slow.

Last but one test had a very tight triangular box, in which two turns had to be made. The best driving in the meeting was seen in this test. Larry Mooney (Eire, Midget) and Ian Woodside (Ulster, Midget) were exceptional and received applause from the spectators.

Several other drivers, however, hit the box. Brian Pickering, driving for England in a Midget, almost completely demolished the box on his first turn. It was very quickly rebuilt by the marshals, only to be demolished again when the driver entered it for his second turn.

The final test had four garages in two pairs, back to back, all of which had to be reversed into. Most drivers performed well in this test, but Robert Woodside again stood out, holding a tight line, and well under control all the time. Tim Baker, driving local man John Handley’s M.G. 1100, also did well, although scattering autumn leaves and marshals with gay abandon.

Overall, Ulster must be congratulated for their deserved victory and the Hagley & D.L.C.C. for their fine organization.

P.L./H.M.

RESULTS

1. Ulster: Ronnie McCartney (Mini-Cooper S), Ian Woodside (Midget) and Robert Woodside (Volkswagen), 966.7 points;
2. Eire: Leslie Vard (Mini-Cooper S), Larry Mooney (Midget) and Cecil Vard (M.G. 1100), 1,002.9;
3. Scotland: Jim Dryden (Mini-Cooper S), Andrew Bonar (Turner Mk. 2) and E. Herrald (M.G. 1100), 1,057.7;
4. England: Ian Mantle (Mini-Cooper S), Brian Pickering (Midget) and Timothy Baker (M.G. 1100), 1,067.0;
5. Wales: Bill Meredith (Mini-Cooper S), John Whalley (Austin-Healey) and Martyn Thomas (Hillman Imp), 1,073.9;
6. Holland: Maarten Jonker (DAF), Phillip Keller (Spitfire) and Ben Huisman (DAF), 1,244.2.

The Irish Times on 2nd November 1964 carried the following additional information: