The Singford - with the Tilsley brothers - Don Tilsley racing in NSCC and ACC events
Note from Don Tilsley, which I received today with a photo.
The photo appears in the Graham Veroce book Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand with an incorrect caption.
Don notes ;
" Auckland Car Club.Mt Eden Hill-climb 5th.April 1952.The A.C.C. always ran the class
1101-2000cc.The International class was 1101-1500cc. The N.S.C.C. always stuck to the
International classes and their handicapping was far superior as well.Competed against
Ron Roycroft in the Bug and Herb Gilroy in the Rubber Duck on the day and got 3rd.
Herb 1st in 34.0sec. Ron 2nd.in 35.2 and me in 36.6. FTD George Smith GCS 31.0sec.
Cheers Don. "
Caption in the book says " Don Tilsley on the startline at Mt Eden in the Singford [ MkII ], with bother Glen holding down the tail " - Event is correct but the Gentleman " holding down the tail " is Laurie Powell.
On the same page of the Vercoe book is another photo of Don at Ohakea noted " Stripped for the track, the guardless Singford at Ohakea in 1952, Don Tilsley driving.
Programme Cover for the ACC Mt Eden Hillclimb Don Tilsley archives.
According to Dons own records it was the 1953 event with notes as follows ;
Singford at " Ohakea Trophy Race 14 March 1953. D.N.F Don Tilsley 24th lap of 25 holding 2nd place broke steering arm. Could have finished 3rd or 4th. Don received 10 pounds for completing 23 laps! "
Don competing at A couple of NSCC events -posted before but brings them together.
Seagrove in November [ 11th ] 1951.
Wairamarama Hill, NSCC North Island Championship Hill Climb January 16th 1954.
Don came first in Class F 1001 - 1500 cc.
** now have more details of the meeting and also events at Seagrove from Don - a story is building.
All photos Don Tilsey's own archives.
Thanks Don
In another comment about the Mt Eden photo Don notes : " Ref. Laurie Powell a regular competitor in
his Ford V8 Roadster. Was a past N.S.C.C. Club Captain and President 1955-56. Also
well known at Western Springs in his midget car. I note the Club Auditor was one H.Dowding.
Cheers Don. "
H Dowding was Hector Macdonald Dowding [ 23/3/1917 to 11/09/1999 ] my late father. I knew he was Honorary Auditor for the Club, as he told me, but never known any record of it
Reply With Quote