I hired
a car. 50 years ago to drive from Grays to Luton Airport and the gear lever came off a mile from home. This was 5.30 a.m.. Drove all the way with one hand holding the gear lever and steering with the other.
I wasn’t a Hackney regular but would go when West was were racing, and for individual events, tests, WC qualifying rounds etc. Always enjoyed my visits to Waterden Road.