Simms Hill Trophy
Page updated : 15 February 2012Home > Miscellany > Simms Hill Trophy
In January 2008, Steve Airey discovered some pictures and trophies belonging to his grandfather, William M Airey, who competed in MCC events in the late 1930s. He posted the photographs on flickr and then contacted Simon Woodall who was able to help Steve expand the captions. In 1939, William Airey entered the Exeter Trial in a BMW 319 saloon and not only won a Premier (Gold) Award but also a Simms Hill Trophy.
For those of you unfamiliar with this rare MCC Award, read Simon's response to one of Steve's emails:
In 1939 the rules changed to make life more difficult for the competitors, and Simms Hill was considered too difficult. The attempt at this hill was therefore made optional, with a successful ascent cancelling out a "fail" made elsewhere. Competitors who made a successful climb, and had no other "fails", received a special Simms Hill Award. These awards were only issued in 1939 and are therefore quite unusual to find today. I still have my father’s, and I have only ever seen one other, with yours as the third.
On re-checking Cowbourne I find that Simon is not totally correct. Simms Hill Trophies were awarded for the 1935 and 1939 events - there is a photograph of a 1935 plaque on P309 of Cowbourne 1929-1939.