Car Club Hill Test

There were thrills aplenty for spectators when the Gisborne Car Club held a hill climb test at Holden's Hill early in May, as the expressions on the faces of these four young men indicate as they watch G.R. Vaughan in his Ford Special skid round bend at right to gain fastest time of any local driver in the test. Highlight of the car climb was the appearance of two well-known New Zealand, racing car drivers, G.E.O. Palmer, of Hamilton, driving his Palmer Special, and Peter Harrison, of Rotorua, driving his Cooper 1100. Below, the Palmer Special, sending ear-splitting din reverberating against peaceful hills and scattering shingle as wheels struggle to get grip on loose surface, approaches last bend in bid for race title.

Bends and Hills

Vaughan in the Ford Special skids round final bend in a shower of shingle. His time for course was 59 2-5 sec.

The Palmer Special roars up the final stretch to complete the ¾-mile course in 54 sec.

Down and Up

Having completed course, cars descended to the starting line ready for fresh trial. Above are the two racing cars rolling downhill, with the Palmer on the left and the Cooper on the right. Note that the Cooper has engine mounted at rear.

W.H. Hegarty pilots his Allard up the final straight. His time for course was 61 sec.

Camera timed at 1/400 sec. has "frozen" the Cooper 1100 as it rounds bend at high speed during run which took 55 4-5 sec. Both the visitors expressed their pleasure at taking part in the race and were impressed with the efficient organisation demonstrated by local club officials. They expect to be back next year to compete again.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 1 : June 3, 1954

Car Club Hill Test