NEWS

The Vintage Sports-Car Club’s celebrated Silverstone ‘Spring Start’ Race Meeting takes place this coming weekend, on Saturday 23 April, at the spiritual home of British motorsport. However, there is much more to this meeting than watching over 300 Pre-war and Historic cars battle for the spoils on track over the day’s 11-Race programme….

The VSCC Silverstone AutoSolo (Outer Paddock, 10.30am-12.45pm)
The VSCC are proud to present our first ever Silverstone AutoSolo, which will feature over 30 Pre-war Sports-Cars in action in the car park adjacent to the Trade Village during the morning.
 
AutoSolos are a comparatively new form of motorsport devised a few years ago by the MSA, originally aimed at youngsters in modern hatchbacks in a campaign to attract new people to enter motorsport. AutoSolos take the form of simple, all-forwards ‘Driving Tests’. Competitors have to tackle a course that involves a series of turns and slaloms made up of cones, with runs timed against the clock. As there is no reversing they have been proven to be very popular with the older driver in an older car too, with less strain on the back axle and creaking necks!
 
 
Free Paddock Access
All visitors are welcome to explore the Competitor Paddock, with no additional entry fee or pass required. This allows you to get up close to the cars which have been performing on the track and talk to owners who are only too happy to share the history and their knowledge of their machines. This is a truly rare and wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Historic Racing.
 
 
Spectators Pre-war Car Park
As is tradition, the Club has organised a dedicated Car Park for Spectators arriving in Pre-war cars, situated in ‘Bakersfield’ adjacent to the bustling Paddock area. Here, you can show-off or admire your favourite Pre-war machines. Frequently a highlight of the meeting, it’s worth a visit whether or not you own a Pre-war car.
 
 
Trade Village
With over two dozen Trade Stands booked for the day, we welcome an eclectic mix of retailers to our Trade Village, located in the Outer Paddock. With everything from cross-ply tyres to car-related gifts, there is something on offer for most tastes.
 
 
VSCC Associates
World-renowned Auctioneers, Bonhams will again join us with a stunning display located at the main entrance to the Paddock, bringing with them a wonderful array of cars from their upcoming sales, which Spectators are welcome to visit.

Hagerty Classic Car Insurance, the Club’s newest Principal Associates, will be exhibiting in the Paddock next to the VSCC Club Display and Pre-war Car Park and offering advice and guidance on any insurance related queries.

Robert Palmer of St James’s Place Wealth Management will be supporting our VSCC Drivers’ Club in the Paddock, where he will be available should any Members wish to speak to him.
 
 
VSCC Club Display & Regalia
Close to the main entrance to the Paddock, you will also find the VSCC Club Display, where you can buy your Event Programme, catch up with friends or speak with our Directors and volunteer Members about VSCC Membership, events and anything in between. We will also have a range of Regalia items available to purchase, including the Club’s history book, ‘A Portrait of the Vintage Sports-Car Club, 1934-2014’, written by Tom Pellow. We will also have a very special ‘four-wheeled’ guest on display so be sure to pay the team a visit!
 
 
Where to Watch the Racing
The best areas from which to view the racing today are on the grass banks at Copse Corner, leading up to Becketts, (accessible by walking to the end of the Paddock past the Scrutineering Bay) or Woodcote B Grandstand on the outside of the circuit overlooking the Luffield complex, (accessed via main entrance or via the Copse tunnel and turn left).  VSCC Members can also benefit from viewing in the BRDC Grandstand on production of their 2016 Membership card.  The Grandstand is next to the BRDC Clubhouse in the Paddock.  Grandstands will be open from 8.00am to 6.00pm.
 
 
Commentary
We are delighted to welcome an experienced team of Commentators for the day – Alistair Douglas, Russell Douglas and Guy Loveridge.
 

Live Timing!
We are delighted to announce that VSCC are providing Live Timing for all of our 2016 Race Meetings so whether you’re at the circuit or at home, you can follow the action in real time!
 
Competitors, Spectators, friends and family are invited to visit the website below, where results for each Practice and Race will be published live by our timekeepers. This website is accessible from PCs, tablets and mobiles.
 
www.theresultslive.co.uk/vintage-sports-car-club
 
This wonderful new service is kindly sponsored by Tom Hardman Ltd, who we would like to thank for their support.

 
Social Media
Help us spread the ‘Vintage’ word and share your comments from Silverstone live via Twitter (@VintageCarClub) and Facebook (The Vintage Sports-Car Club) using #vsccspringstart.
 
 
Food and Drink
With our ‘Spring Start’ coinciding with both the Queen’s 90^th Birthday and St George's Day this year, the circuit will be leading the celebrations with a special Afternoon Tea (£7.95 per person) available from the Paddock Diner, which will be open all day from 7.00am-7.30pm,  also offering the usual fare of hot/cold food & drinks. Download menus for the day via the links below:
 
CLICK HERE for the Breakfast & Lunch Menu       
CLICK HERE for the Afternoon Tea Menu
 
Further enhancing the nostalgic festival atmosphere of this year’s event, there will also be a dedicated Food Village located on the inside of Copse Corner, featuring Vintage Bar, Fish and Chips, Coffee and Donuts, and Ice Cream.
 
Silverstone’s own Paddock Shop will be open from 8.00am to 5.00pm.
 

Children’s Entertainment
Spectators with children, be sure to visit our Children’s Entertainment area next to the Food Village (Copse Corner) where we have a Bouncy Castle and Face-Painting available to keep our younger enthusiasts occupied (small fees apply).
 

Tickets
Those who did not purchase in advance can buy their Tickets on the gate at £10 per person and Children Under 16 go free!
 
 
Timetable
Gates open at 8.00am; Practice sessions start at 9.00am, followed by Lunch Break (12.00-1.00pm) with Racing starting at 1.00pm (all times are approximate).