NEWS

VSCC Prescott is go – the best in Vintage motorsport this weekend

Thursday 04 August 2016

The Vintage Sports-Car Club return to the idyllic surroundings of rural Gloucestershire this weekend for our traditional date of the first weekend of August at the home of the Bugatti Owners’ Club – the historic Prescott Vintage Speed Hill Climb.
More than 300 of the finest Pre-war Racing and Sports-Cars will be in action at the famous venue near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire starting tomorrow, Friday 5 August through to Sunday 7 August, many having travelled from all over the world to compete, with representatives from evocative marques of this special era of motoring, including Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Aston Martin, Frazer Nash, ERA and more.
 
Following the success of the last couple of seasons, we are thrilled to bring back Friday’s additional one-day ‘Long Course’ event again in 2016, with the addition of Ettore’s Loop proving a real hit with our Members.
 
The day will see around 140 Competitors tackle the Prescott’s longer configuration,
following the familiar format of our other one-day Hill Climbs, with morning Practice Runs followed by the Competitive Runs in the afternoon.

The Club’s traditional, much-loved Prescott Speed Hill Climb two-day event follows, accommodating the standard capacity entry of 260 competing Pre-war cars, with Practice on Saturday and Competitive Runs on Sunday.
 
Amongst the fantastic line-up of machinery taking part in the weekend’s competitions will be ERA R4A – dominant over the last couple of seasons at Prescott – this year in the hands of Past President, Tony Stephens, with his entry on Friday marking an incredible 250th competitive appearance in one of the revered Bourne-based voiturettes. He is joined in the ranks by R4A’s current owner, Nick Topliss, who plays the role of ‘Works Driver’ in Brian Fidler’s R4D, surely amongst the favourites for success this weekend, alongside the sister cars of Terry Crabb (R12C) and Julian Wilton (R7B). 
 
Over a dozen of Molsheim’s finest Bugattis will no doubt feel ‘at home’ at Prescott whilst there is a most welcome appearance for the famous Freikaiserwagen Shelsley Special, winner of the first ever VSCC Prescott Hill Climb in 1938 for Joe Fry, now under the custodianship of Steve Lister. Also look out for the ex-George Abecassis 1936 Alta Sports, a multiple Class winner at Prescott for the British Racing great in the early Post-war years, now owned by Georg Prugger, who travels from Italy to compete this weekend.
 
They join a host of regular VSCC Hill Climb challengers, including Robert Cobden’s Riley Falcon Special, winner last time out at Harewood, and Tom Walker who set ‘FTD’ at the season opener at Wisombe in May in his Hispano aero-engined Amillcar Special.  
 
Tom’s brother, Mark Walker’s 1905 Darracq and Geoff Smith’s Pic-Pic look set to lead the way in the automobile and aero-engined Edwardian Classes respectively, which will no doubt attract plenty of attention, with the line-up of Pre-1918 machinery always a favourite with Spectators at VSCC events.
 
As well as the thrilling action on track there are plenty of other attractions to enjoy. Spectators are free to explore the Competitor Paddock, where they can get up close to the racing cars and drivers, whilst the annual gathering of Spectator Pre-war Cars in the Orchard is always worth the entry price alone. Renowned International Auction House and Club Principal Associates, Bonhams, will also provide another impressive display of cars from their upcoming sales.
 
Our fine Trade Village and ‘Autojumble’ will surely offer something to suit all interests, whilst the Children’s Entertainment Area, including Bouncy Castle and Sweet & Games Stall, ensures there will be plenty to keep our younger enthusiasts occupied. With the traditional Morning Bicycle Races and Eureka Jazz Band lunchtime parade up the Hill on Sunday and plenty of catering facilities available on site throughout the weekend, the event is the ideal family day out!
 
For a full preview of all the ‘Off-Track’ entertainment at Prescott this weekend CLICK HERE.
 
 
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
 
TIMETABLE
Track action starts at 8.45am on Friday and 9.00am on Saturday, whilst the traditional Bicycle Races will start Sunday's activities at 9.00am before the competition starts at 9.30am.
 
TICKETS
Tickets are available 'On the Gate' each day (Friday - £15; Saturday - £25; Sunday - £25; Weekend (Sat/Sun) - £40) and Children Under 16 go free all weekend.
 
Camping is also available on-site, with three price levels available this year: two nights at £20 per pitch (Thursday/Friday or Friday/Saturday) or £35 for all nights (Thursday to Sunday); payment due on arrival.
 
PARKING
Gates open from early so be sure to arrive in plenty of time as spaces will fill up quickly.
 
The Orchard will be reserved exclusively for Pre-war cars on both the Saturday and Sunday (parking in the Orchard on Friday will be on a first-come-first-served basis). All other cars are to park in the nominated event car park adjacent to Pardon Hill Farm. 
 
Members who have purchased Advance Tickets can park for free by showing their ‘Free Programme Voucher’, which will be exchanged on entry to the car park for a Programme. For Members without Advance Tickets, and Non-Members, car parking will cost £5, and will include a Programme of the same value. 
 
If returning for a second day, please show your Event Programme on entry to the car park to avoid being charged again.
 
DIRECTIONS                        
Prescott is located approximately 5 miles north east of Cheltenham, just off the A435 (Evesham Road) between Gotherington and Gretton.
 
Click here to view the map
VSCC_Prescott_2016