NEWS

November Newsletter Now Available to Download

Thursday 31 October 2019

The November edition of the Newsletter is now available for Club Members to download.

Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards success for The Vintage Sports-Car Club.

Friday 25 October 2019

Club President Jenny Lees is proud to announce The Vintage Sports-Car Club have made the finalist list in two of the prestigious categories of the inaugural Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards 2019.
 
Our two finalists are:
COMPETITIVE EVENT –
Le Mans Start Silverstone
 
The opening round of the VSCC Formula Vintage Season, held at Silverstone on 13 and 14 April 2019, brought the spectacle of a Le Mans Start back to British shores for the first time in over 50 years.  Working closely with the Benjafields Race Club, the VSCC brought 40 vintage Bentleys to Silverstone, where they lined up for a pre-race grid walk enjoyed by hundreds of spectators before drivers sprinted for their cars and a place in the history books in front of a crowd of thousands. 
 

PERSONALITY –
Ian Ferguson
 
As well as the role of Chief Librarian, Ian is a staunch supporter of the Club and regularly volunteers at meetings, exhibitions and events – anywhere that needs a safe pair of hands!

Ian’s generosity of spirit and dedication to vintage motorsport - and the VSCC in particular - over decades encapsulates the spirit of this remarkable and unique club.  Not only is he a cornerstone of the many volunteers that support the Club in so many ways, but his patient assistance and support to Club staff at TOPO and to members across the globe does much to ensure that the world of vintage motorsport is preserved for future generations and that the encyclopaedic body of knowledge of so many members over so many decades is passed on.  In addition, his stewardship of the VSCC Library is not a role to be undertaken lightly; the responsibility for the guardianship, preservation and development of such a huge body of knowledge is a substantial one. 

The winners will be announced during a special presentation evening at the Awards Dinner 21^st November 2019 at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club, 89 Pall Mall, St. James', London, with a trophy given to each winner onstage.

I am sure you will join me in wishing both finalists all the best on the night.

VSCC Bulletin Editor

Monday 21 October 2019

The President and Committee of the VSCC are delighted to announce the appointment of Matthew Bell as 13th Editor of The Bulletin, the Club’s quarterly magazine.

Speed Championship 2019 - Overview

Friday 18 October 2019

The Blue Diamond sponsored Speed Championship has had a fantastic season consisting of nine Rounds at popular venues all over the UK, from the depths of Devon to the heady heights of Harewood. Our 2017 winner David Furnell scoops the winning trophy yet again in “The Toy”, which is his trusty 1930 Austin 7, keeping the young Eddie Williams at bay by a mere five points. All is not lost for Eddie, who drove Charles Gillett’s 1929 Frazer Nash Super Sports with assured skill to secure not only Second Overall but also the Blue Diamond Young Driver Award, new for 2019, which guarantees him free entry into each round of the Speed Championship 2020. Also new for this year is the Overall PVT Winner Award which goes to David Pryke in his 1936 Frazer Nash Shelsley gaining 62 points. The Longstone Speed Trophy is awarded to Dick Wilkinson for driving to an impressive seven events and accruing 66 points in total. Our Novice Award goes to Tiziana Mutschler who is new to the VSCC Speed Championship this season but has certainly made her mark in Class 1 making 29 points from only four events.

All of our events have been blessed with fantastic weather which has encouraged our talented competitors to push themselves to the limit, thus achieving no less than 27 Vintage and General Class records. Class 3 has dominated the records, the dynamic duo – Patrick Blakeney-Edwards and Eddie Williams driving trusty Frazer Nash Super Sports cars wracked up a massive 12 records between them! Not forgetting the momentous occasion at our opening round - Curborough where the speedy James Baxter smashed the overall record.

Huge congratulations to all of our 427 speed competitors for showing up, supporting and delivering such exciting, entertaining action and to all of our 319 loyal marshals and volunteers who make all this possible and keep us safe - Thank You! Thank you also to our trusty handicapper Mark Ballard who has allocated approximately 1450 handicaps and who is the brains behind the Speed Championship points. Big thank you to our Championship Sponsor Blue Diamond for their support this season and also Longstone Tyres for sponsoring the Longstone Trophy and also the Marshals Draw.

Thanks also go to David Furnell who will be handing over the reigns of Chair of the Speed Sub Committee, after seven years, to Kevin Morton to take on the challenges of the Championship for 2020. We welcome Kevin to the fold and take this opportunity to share a few facts about the Class 8 Riley driver:

• Joined the Club in 1976 following the purchase of my 1937 Morgan 4/4. Enjoyed competing in the Morgan until the end of the 80’s.
• Have now been competing, for around 20 years, in Class 8 with the Riley so the Morgan is still waiting for its rebuild.
• Joined the Speed Sub-Committee in 2018 and now the “Toy” has his revenge!
• Married to Karen who put up with many cold and wet trips in the Morgan. Ask her about a particular trip to Donington!
• When not competing I marshal so Karen is currently the boss both at home and at play.
• Our daughter Rebecca, currently in Australia, and son Douglas, busy in London, are also members.
• Looking forward to supporting you, and for your support, in the Speed Championship

Price rises at the VSCC!

Tuesday 15 October 2019

The 80th VSCC Welsh Trial at Presteigne last weekend was a somewhat challenging affair!

Conditions leading up to the weekend had deteriorated to the point that even the most experienced of trialists struggled to make an impact on their ‘usually expected’ high scoring.

A full entry list of brave VSCC members, and their co-pilots, headed off one by one full of enthusiasm expected from vintage motoring adventure junkies.

Simon Price clearly relished the challenge, rising from the boggy depths of hills such as ‘Badlands’ to claim the Harry Bowler Memorial Trophy in his 3.3litre, 1930 Ford Model A Special with a total of 410 points.
 
Other notable results were:
Gareth Graham winning ‘The Presteigne Trophy’ in his 1925 Bentley 3-4.5 litre.                       
Lady Louisa Collings winning ‘The Smatcher Trophy’ in her 1930 Austin 7 Ulster Replica and 14-year-old Archibald Collings taking ‘The Judges Gavel’ awarded to the best youngster.

provisionalresults.pdf

Class Records Tumble at Prescott Hill Climb

Wednesday 02 October 2019

The final round of the VSCC Speed Championship concluded on the long course at Prescott Hill Climb on Saturday 28^th September. The weather was almost Spring like as a full entry of competitors battled the long course for those vital last points of the season.
 
There was a special end of season atmosphere around the paddock and spectator areas as the drivers completed their two practice runs in the morning.

After the lunchtime interval it was clear the drivers in all classes were determined to ‘go for it’ with no less than half a dozen class hill records broken. This must have been a proud and somewhat sad moment for David Furnell as he comes to the end of his tenure as Chair of the Speed Sub-Committee after seven and a half years dedicated service. David has been instrumental in developing the Motorsport UK Speed Championship – the first Speed Championship in VSCC history. 

Full Provisional Results.pdf

October Newsletter Now Available to Download

Tuesday 01 October 2019

The October edition of the Newsletter is now available for Club Members to download.

Madresfield Driving Test - Results

Friday 27 September 2019

That feeling of Autumn was upon us as 56 competitors set about the Madresfield Driving Test on Sunday 22^nd Sept .

The spectators were a little thin on the ground but that didn’t suppress their enthusiasm as one by one the competitors attempted to negotiate the infamous test challenges, such as the ‘Pork Chop’.

Overall, a great day was had by all, the eventual winner David Pryke in his 1936 Morgan engined Riley taking home the coveted Lewes Trophy.
 
Provisional results can be found through the link below.
results.pdf

Class winners and overall speed championship winner to be decided at Prescott Hill Climb this weekend

Thursday 26 September 2019

The 9th and final round of The Vintage Sports-Car Club Speed Championships will be contested at Prescott Hill Climb this coming weekend 28th September.

Practice commences 0830
Competitive Runs Commence 1300
 
Competitors have been battling it out across eight previous rounds. All class winners will be decided on the day and with Just 4 points separate Eddie Williams (78pts) and David Furnell (74pts) at the top of the overall championship standings everything is up for grabs.
 
Significantly this event will mark the end of David’s tenure as Chair of the Speed Sub-Committee Championship after seven and a half years. David has been instrumental in developing the Motorsport UK Speed Championship – the first Speed championship in VSCC history.

POMEROY 2020 - SAVE THE DATE

Tuesday 24 September 2019

Don't panic just yet, we are just letting you know the date for the 2020 Pomeroy Trophy has now been secured at Silverstone - Home to the British Grand Prix.

So please, write a note in your diary or stick a pin on your wall planner, we will send out further information when we open for entries.

Madresfield Driving Test and Concours - This Weekend

Friday 20 September 2019

On Sunday 22nd Sept the Vintage Sports-Car Club return to Madresfield for the Madresfield Driving Test and Concours.
 
If you have not experienced Madresfield before you will be in for a real treat.
 
With over 50 Cars entered, the oldest being a 1905 V twin Riley and the youngest  a 1938 Riley Sprite.
 
The usual selection of not too taxing tests await the competitors and for those  spectators attending in a pre-war car the chance to enter in the Bob Watt Concours and watch the competitors pit themselves against the watch.
 
The WI will be running the field kitchen for those who do not bring a picnic.
 
Madresfield entrance is along Gloucester Drive from the B4424 for further details click the 'map link' below. Please do not try to access via Madresfield House.
 
The tests start at 10:45.
 
Why not come along and experience Madresfield at its best, we hope to see you on Sunday.

map link

2019 Formula Vintage Series – Final Placings

Monday 16 September 2019

It has been a thrilling Formula Vintage season which has seen many highlights including the first Le Mans start in the UK for more than fifty years at Silverstone and the VSCC’s first visit to the iconic race circuit, Brands Hatch.  Sadly, all good things must come to an end, however, and after five meetings we can now announce the winners and runners-up of the Motor Sport Trophy and Longstone Trophy 2019.

Patrick Blakeney-Edwards waved the flag for Frazer Nash in the Motor Sport Trophy, taking the honours with 72 points ahead of Alexander Hewitson (Riley) and Edward Williams, who took joint second place with 67.  Five points separated them from Christopher Mann in third (62 points) and Mark Gillies and Tony Lees took fourth and fifth with 54 and 47 points respectively.

Riley triumphed in the Longstone Trophy; Alexander Hewitson takes home the silverware in 2019 with 26 points.  Justin Maeers, with 21 points, came second in his GN Parker, whilst Riley featured on the scoreboard in both third and fourth positions as Tim Kneller took third (16 points) and David Saxl took fourth (14 points).  Joint fifth were Noel Runnels-Moss in his Vauxhall and Tom Waterfield in his Frazer Nash with 10 points apiece.

Loton Park Hill Climb - VSCC Speed Championship

Thursday 12 September 2019

The Vintage Sports-Car Club - Rounds 7 & 8 Speed Championships.
 
Although early September, the competitors gathering at Loton Park Hill Climb for a full weekend's programme of speed events were greeted with blue sky and perfect track conditions that would test their driving skills to their fullest.

One result to note and perhaps a young driver to look out for in the future was Miss Inge Van Wortel – achieving Fastest Young Driver on day 2. Inge just 20 years old is in her first season with the VSCC and travels from Belgium to the VSCC events with her competing parents.

Links to the weekend results:
Saturday provisional results.pdf
Sunday provisional results.pdf


Image - Dennis Rushton

Snetterton Race Meeting and Sprint - 21st September 2019 - Cancellation

Tuesday 10 September 2019

We regret that despite the recent change in format, there are insufficient competitor entries for Snetterton; at the close of entry there are only 9 entrants for the sprint and 18 for the race meeting. To run the event would generate a poor competitor experience and atmosphere for the spectators, reflecting badly on the Club. Furthermore it would be unfair to our team of marshals and volunteers, who would be required to attend in their normal complement, and the potential financial loss is unacceptable. Competitor support for our Race and Speed events thus far in 2019 has been outstanding, and our members have contributed to a memorable programme. We thank them for that support as we plan for our calendar in 2020.
 
Ian Standing                       David Furnell                         Jenny Lees
Race Sub Committee           Speed Sub Committee            President

Did you see the VSCC on TV?

Monday 02 September 2019

The long awaited VSCC Formula Vintage Round 1 appearance on ‘Mobil 1 The Grid‘, aired Friday morning August 30^th and Saturday afternoon 31^st August to a global audience on BT Sport 1 & 3. Sadly, we were unable to pre warn our members to look out for it…

…but don’t worry, we have it covered, below is the YouTube link for you to view at your leisure. Look out for the interviews with President Jenny Lees, along with a few familiar VSCC regular competitors. We hope you enjoy the coverage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar5na6xNd7o&feature=youtu.be

https://www.facebook.com/VintageSportsCarClub/

September Newsletter Now Available to Download

Monday 02 September 2019

The September edition of the Newsletter is now available for Club Members to download.

Spirited VSCC Members Celebrate 85th Anniversary

Thursday 22 August 2019

Following the cancellation of the official 85^th celebrations, that spirit was encapsulated this year by a group of members local to Brands Hatch, who took it upon themselves to organise an ‘alternative’ 85th anniversary and who have dedicated hours of their time and much effort to providing disappointed visiting 85ers, an itinerary of tours and social events in the week leading up to Round 5 Formula Vintage Series at Brands Hatch this Saturday 24th August.
 
On behalf of the members who have enjoyed the week’s itinerary, and on behalf of the VSCC, our thanks go to - Richard Lance, Ralph Lance, Colin Mackenzie and Toby Galbraith.
 
Congratulations on a superb achievement and thank you again for being so generous with your time!

Red Letter Day for the VSCC and Brands Hatch

Tuesday 20 August 2019

Image - Brands Hatch 1960 © The Francis Frith Collection

Scrutineers Choose Saloon

Friday 09 August 2019

2019 Award Hat Trick for The Vintage Sports-Car Club!

Thursday 08 August 2019

Now in its ninth year, The Historic Motoring Awards are the most prestigious in the industry, recognising the elite in the international classic automotive world.

The Vintage Sports-Car Club based in Chipping Norton are very excited to announce their nominations onto the shortlist of three categories:
 
1 - Club of the Year 2019
2 - Race Series of the Year – VSCC Formula Vintage Series
3 - Restoration of the Year – ERA ‘Challenger’

The VSCC entered Duncan Ricketts into the ‘Restoration of the Year’ category for his epic struggle to restore Reg Parnell’s ERA Challenger back to its former glory. This year has seen Duncan race Challenger at several VSCC events with great success, particularly last time out at Cadwell winning The Len Thompson Trophy.

The awards final will be held on 17th October 2019 at the stunning Rosewood Hotel London, this distinguished gala night sees the celebration of a broad selection of categories, selected by the experts at Octane and an international panel of judges. The evening will be hosted by broadcaster and Formula 1 pundit Steve Rider, with awards to celebrate the vital contributions to the classic motoring industry over the last twelve months.