NEWS

Celebrating Women of the VSCC - Q&A with Francine Pimperton

Monday 26 February 2018

We've been celebrating women of the VSCC in honour of the centennary of women being awarded the vote in the UK. VSCC Marshal and Competitor, Francine Pimperton, told us about her experiences in the VSCC and what she's looking forward to this year...
Which committee are you part of and what is your role?
I am on the Marshal’s Committee as a representative for Marshals of speed events and hill climbs. I also Marshal on LC&ES (Light Car and Edwardian Section) events.

How did you get involved with the VSCC and what attracted you to the Club?
My partner, Stewart Rich, who has a long history of participating in motoring events, became involved in VSCC racing and trials with Chris Hudson and then bought his own car and needed a ‘bouncer’ and I’ve never looked back since! Then I bought my own Austin 7 Chummy and have been competing in LC&ES events for around fifteen years.

Motorsport is traditionally a male-orientated sport – what are your thoughts on this, and do you feel that it impacts your involvement in the Club?
It is a male oriented sport but in LC&ES events I have often beaten the men!  There are some women who like to work on their own cars but I think this is what appeals to men more than women but the women prefer the social side.

What do you enjoy the most about the VSCC?
As a former Competition Secretary for the LC&ES I love organising events and being involved, the Welsh Weekend is the highlight of the year! The foreign Frazer Nash trips are brilliant and there is nothing like a GN Jolly! People enjoy their united love of cars and it brings people together.

Tell us about some of your VSCC highlights...
From a marshalling point of view Prescott Hill Climb is always a highlight as everyone seems to be there, it’s great fun! Meeting up with likeminded friends is always a highlight!

What can we look forward to from the VSCC this year?
I personally am looking forward to the rest of the trialling season, a trip to France with some of the Frazer Nash gang, LC&ES Welsh Weekend, the GN Jolly, Chummy Ladies and marshalling at race meetings...which just leaves me time for historic re-enactments with my horse!
Colin Murrell - WM