Lincolnshire Automobile Club
Hill Climbing Trials 1903

Lincolnshire is blessed with admirable roads and has therefore become quite a stronghold of motoring and the county automobile club is one of the most flourishing in the provinces.

The members have held many meets of importance but none more pleasant than that in the Red Deer park of Grimsthorpe Castle, near Bourne, the picturesque seat of the Earl of Ancaster, on Saturday last. The gathering was rendered of greater interest than usual by the holding of hill climbing trials for cars and motorcycles and a suitable gradient of about 1 in 9 being found in the grounds there was, of course, nothing to fear from police authorities and the contests could be decided at leisure and with comfort.

About thirty-five cars and cycles turned up and most of them engaged in the contests. Dr Gilpin, of Bourne, who entertained the visitors on behalf of the Earl of Ancaster, gave a motor clock as a prize in the Hill Climbing Competition. Dr Husband was the starter, Dr Benson was time-keeper and Dr Cragg judge.

The fine weather had induced a large number of ladies to join the meet. Mr Bamber, of the Brush Electrical Engineering Company, and the representative of The Car, comprised the London contingent, but the former’s 12 hp Brush was not entered for the contests.

Fastest time in the hill climbing trial was recorded by Mr W R Pennell of Lincoln, but his 10 hp Locomobile finished prematurely and was disqualified. The result of the contest was:

1. F Richardson, Sibsey, 10 hp Wolseley - 223 points
2. Dr Gilpin, Bourne, 8 hp Peugeot - 215 points
3. C Holland, Boston, Baby Peugeot - 192 points
4. Captain Newsum, 12 hp Richardson - 182 points

The motorcycles were despatched in couples, the men being handicapped, the contest partaking of the nature of a race. Mr E Pogson, Sleaford, won easily but not being a member of the club, premier honours fell to Mr Gilbert, of Billinghay, with his 2¾ hp Minerva engine.

NOTE: Report courtesy the Lincolnshire Louth Motor Club, an amalgamation of the Lincolnshire
Automobile Club, founded 1900, and Louth Motor Club, thus making it Britain’s oldest motor car club.

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