NEWS

The first weekend in August can only mean one thing... it’s time for VSCC Prescott

Thursday 31 July 2014

One of the most highly anticipated events of the Historic motorsport calendar, the Vintage Sports-Car Club’s celebrated Prescott Speed Hill Climb takes place this weekend, and will open with a special, extra one-day event to mark the Club’s 80th Anniversary, taking place at the famous Gloucestershire venue from tomorrow, Friday 1 to Sunday 3 August.
As we did for the Club’s last major Anniversary in 2009, we are excited to offer the 80th Anniversary Hill Climb this year. This will follow a similar format to our other one-day Hill Climbs, with a full entry of 140 competing cars taking to the Hill with practice in the morning, followed by the competitive runs in the afternoon. An additional feature of the day will see competitors tackle the long course, including Ettore’s Loop, whilst we are also delighted to offer – for the Friday only – special classes for ERAs, who also celebrate their own 80th Year in 2014, and an Invited Post-war Class for Pre-1961 Historic Racing Cars and Invited 1950s Sports Racing Cars.

The day has attracted a number of the weekend competitors, eager to try their hand at the ‘long course’, whilst also offering an extra chance for those who rarely compete, to participate in one of the world’s premier Hill Climb events. Austin, Aston Martin, Alvis, Bentley, Bugatti, Frazer Nash, Lagonda, Lea-Francis, MG, Riley and more will all be represented, alongside the ever-popular Edwardian brigade and a quartet of revered ERA voiturettes, who go head-to-head in a Class of their own in honour of the marque’s 80th Anniversary this year.

It will be followed by our traditional two-day Prescott Speed Hill Climb back on the short course, accommodating the standard entry of 260 competing Pre-war Racing and Sports-Cars, brimming with the usual quality. Following its very popular display at our recent Donington Park Meeting, we are delighted to welcome Jim Runciman’s wonderful Riley TT Sprite, the Ex-Bob Gerard and Riley Works machine; it will stand alongside two other Ex-Gerard cars in Nick Topliss’s ERA R4A, piloted over the weekend by the Club’s Hill Climb champion, James Baxter – Nick drives himself on Friday - and ERA R14B, shared by Donald Day and Paul Richardson – somewhat fitting in this the centenary year of the British Racing legend. A.F.P. Fane’s historic twin blown Frazer Nash ‘CMH 500’ also takes part, driven by ‘Nash expert Patrick Blakeney-Edwards for new owner, Gordon McCulloch.

A veritable army of sixteen Vauxhall 30-98s report for duty for their annual celebration in the large capacity classes whilst no fewer than two dozen Pre-1918 machines comprise our two Edwardian Classes, with Mark Walker’s 1905 Land Speed Record Darracq making a most welcome return after last year’s hiatus. A revered collection of Vintage Hill Climb Specials are on board, including the insect-inspired GN-based Gnat of John and Richard Wiseman and Winston Teague’s Wasp, whilst Dick Smith’s hallowed Frazer Nash Nurburg takes the challenge to the perennial challengers in the Racing Car Classes. As is tradition, Practice Runs will take place on Saturday and Timed Competitive Runs on Sunday.

Away from the track, you will find the usual array of attractions and entertainment. On Sunday we will welcome an incredible display of Frazer Nash/BMW cars, who will be our feature display in the Orchard as part of their own 80th Anniversary celebrations this year. The usual popular side attractions will be in place for all three days, with the Orchard the traditional attraction in its own right with Pre-war cars filling every available space; the well-populated Trade Village and Autojumble, Sunday’s Bicycle Races, Jazz Band and a variety of Children’s Entertainment will all be part of the celebrations and the Prescott Clubhouse will be providing the crowds with sustenance. Click Here to read more about what you will find at VSCC Prescott this year.

Tickets are on sale on the day, at the following prices:
                               
Friday                         £15.00                                 

Saturday                     £15.00                                  

Sunday                        £25.00                                     

Under 16s go free
 
Timetable (all timings are subject to change)

FRIDAY 1 AUGUST
Practice Runs                                   9.30am
Lunch break                                     12.45-2.00pm
Timed Runs                                       2.00pm
Track Activity Ends                           5.30pm
 
SATURDAY 2 AUGUST
Practice  commences                         9.30am
Lunch break                                      12.45-1.45pm
 Practice continues                             1.45pm
Track Activity End                             5.30pm
 
SUNDAY 3 AUGUST
Bicycle Races                                    9.00am
Timed Runs commence                      10.00am
Lunch break                                      12.45-2.00pm
Timed Runs continue                          2.00pm
Track Activity Ends                            5.30pm
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