This extraordinary collection of photographs was taken from the Dacre Stubbs Collection of early English and Australian Motorsport images. Brighton (UK) Speed Trials 1946

The ever watchful eye of Nick Koleszar brought this 1934 McQuay Norris out of the Internet to light. Only about half a dozen were made in the USA, but one or two are still seen in special events around the Nation. McQuay-Norris was a maker of automobile engine parts such as piston rings, and chassis parts.  

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Edited extracts by MartinStubbs from the unpublished autobiography of Dacre Stubbs ® Photos: Dacre Stubbs Collection                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I had only recently faced up to the sad need to part with the Aston Martin, which my friend Ronny Robinson had taken over, thus allaying what worries I had about its future. I also still had two Bentleys, the next cars to go (my future father in law had advised that if I wanted to marry his daughter I needed to change my playboy lifestyle).

I retraced my steps and contacted the Central Garage where the car was being kept. Immediately I set eyes upon it I knew this was what I wanted and after a examination with an engineer as to its condition, I purchased the beauty. The Aston seemed perfect in all respects, but required more ‘running in’. I wasted no time in a visit to Brooklands where I obtained a room, or rather Bertram did this at the Queens Head. On the way down I visited the Aston Martin factory which was on my route from London to Byfleet to have the car checked over. In the course of this visit I met Gordon Sutherland the joint director of the company as well as the other direc­tor, Cesare Bertelli, the actual designer of the 1 1/2-litre Aston. All this was very reassuring and gave me confidence that I could not have chosen a better vehicle for my particular purpose.

 The weekend began with a most enjoyable party given by TOPS Organiser, Trisha Pilkington for her friends in the BRDC Clubhouse on the Friday evening. The first “Proper” race meeting of our vintage year is always eagerly anticipated and the event this year did not disappoint. It is amazing how well most of us scrub up for the social events.