NEWS

VSCC enjoy a successful return to Oulton Park

Tuesday 21 July 2015

The Club’s first visit to Oulton Park in five years this weekend has received high praise, with a great turnout of Spectators in attendance to enjoy Saturday’s Hawthorn Memorial Trophies Race Meeting and an enjoyable Vintage Club Day on Sunday at the popular Cheshire venue.
There was some thrilling action throughout Saturday’s 10-Race Programme, with an overwhelming number of the circuit’s local Marshalling team to support the Club’s own Officials and volunteers to oversee proceedings.

Particular highlights included a close-fought contest between the ERAs of Paddins Dowling and Nick Topliss in both the feature Premier Cru Racing and Hawthorn Trophies events, the California-based Irishman prevailing twice as he battled R10B past R4A in the closing stages of both races. The Boulogne Trophy for Vintage Racing Cars was perhaps race of the day for many, with Tom Walker coming out on top of an epic five-way tussle in his mighty Hispano-engined Amilcar Special ahead of ‘Chain-Gangers’ Tony Lees in the AC/GN Cognac and Charles Gillett’s Frazer Nash Super Sports.

Amongst the Sports-Car classes, Andrew Mitchell was a winner again in his HRG, as was Jonathan Cobb’s Frazer Nash Ford, whilst the day culminated in the excitement of the Team Relay Race – an unfortunate incident at Cascades for young George Parkinson brought the race to premature end although thankfully he was unhurt and was back to celebrate with everyone at the Race Presentation. Unsurprisingly, the dominant trio of Maeers, Cobb and Gillett romped home for victory, whilst MG Team of Fred Boothby, Hamish McNinch and Annie Boursot were worthy winners of the all-important Handicap element.

Sunday’s Vintage Club Day proved to be the relaxed and enjoyable day intended as the early morning showers cleared away for a wonderful Summer’s day of vintage variety. Penny Farthings reported for duty for the morning’s Bicycle Races whilst on the Rally Stage, we enjoyed a foray into the world of the AutoSolo. Only the second time the Club has hosted such an event, it proved a real hit with the Competitors and Spectators alike, the contest eventually won by David Golightly’s Ford Model T Special. Soon after, a strong crowd gathered at the circuit’s Off-Road Stage, where a group of VSCC Members were on hand to demonstrate the art of Pre-war Trials, with each successful ascent greeted with a big cheer! By the early afternoon, the judging for the day’s Cheshire Life Concours was complete and Roland Duce and his stunning Alfa Romeo 8C were presented the prestigious trophy by Amanda Milling MP.

We would like to thank everyone who played their part over the weekend, whether as a Competitor, Marshal, Official or Spectator. Particular thanks to Martin Jelley, Gareth Bryan, Judy Portway and their teams for all their efforts in putting together Sunday’s enjoyable programme and also to our MSV hosts and the Circuit staff for all their support.

Results and Photos from the weekend are now available to view from the Event pages; please follow the links below:

Hawthorn Memorial Trophies Race Meeting (Saturday)

Vintage Club Day (Sunday – including links to Concours & AutoSolo)
Topliss, Dowling ERAs 1