The mysterious Miss J Robertson and the Women's Automotive Sports Association badge

We received a message from Belinda. She told us her dad, Neal Brandt was an avid restorer, enthusiast and collector of British PreWarCars, mainly Riley’s. Besides this, he also collected (rare) PreWarCar badges. There is one example - the badge in the pictures – from the Women's Automotive Sports Association (W.A.S.A), Belinda would like to know more about. She mentioned that she has searched for quite a while but didn't have any luck in her pursuits. She therefore asked us for help. As you can see in the second picture, the back of the W.A.S.A badge is engraved with “Miss J Robertson, First Award, Westward Ho! 1932”.

Is there anyone who can tell us more about this W.A.S.A badge? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Words by the editor. Pictures sent in by Belinda Brandt.

Publié:

lundi décembre 9th, 2019

Nina Baker

08 Janvier 2023, 12:33

I have done a bit of hunting about this and found several references in UK newspapers to the WASA nighttime run from London to Westward Ho! which left London at midnight on Saturday 9th April 1932. It was a time trial requiring the drivers to achieve an average of 29mph for the 270 miles and considered a very challenging route involving steep hills, many muddy unmade roads and water fords. This was the 3rd long distance time trial run by the WASA, which had been founded in 1929. Unfortunately I can find nothing about Miss Robertson.

Belinda Brandt

10 Décembre 2019, 17:12

Grimmo. Thank you so much for your thorough explanation of the associated WASA events- I surely do appreciate it! As Morris mentioned all internet searches came up mazaire! It makes sense now why this badge was special to him as he had enormous respect and was a huge fan of - Joan Richmond. I believe the highlight of his ‘greatest Riley moment ever’ was when Ms Richmond agreed to fly out and attend the 1977? Australian Riley Rally he’d organised in her honour. I have only days ago found the letters they wrote to each other. Thank you again and kindest regards for taking the time to reply Belinda Brandt

D. Macnab

09 Décembre 2019, 23:19

There are a number of references to W.A.S.A. in the archive of MotorSport Magazine.

Grimmo

09 Décembre 2019, 20:59

A Mr. Ivor Halstead is said to have started the W.A.S.A in 1930, when it was already running competitions but the Club opened premises at 17 Buckingham Palace-Gardens, on January 17th 1931 for its 100 members, when it was setting up clubs around the country and already claimed a worldwide membership.

Lady Elibank was the President, Miss Borthwick chairman of the executive committee and Lady Iris Capell, vice president. It had billiards, cards and bed rooms on site, was affiliated to the RAC for motoring events such as trials and ran golf and tennis competitions. Members entered a number of Monte-Carlo and RAC rallies during the 1930s. It was still going in 1939.

Famous members and guests at dinners and events included Mrs. Mollison (pilot Amy Johnson) and racing motorist Violet Cordery.

One of its annual events from 1930 was known as the London to Westward Ho! Women’s Reliability Trial, the third of which started at midnight Friday 8th April in 1932 from Virginia Water, near Staines and also from the RAC offices in Corporation-street, Birmingham, the drivers converging at Taunton. They had to maintain about 22 mph for the 270-290 miles in very wet conditions and climb these hills: Grabhurst, Porlock, Lynmouth, Beggars Roost, Hookway, Yealscombe, Kipscombe and Ruses Mill (“Stelvio in miniature”). All but one of the starters made it all the way and received a Gold Medal.

The mysterious Miss J Robertson and the Women's Automotive Sports Association badge

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