There were much larger and much noisier engined cars, yet without a shade of doubt: at last weekend's glorious sunny VSCC Hill Climb weekend at Prescott the Buick engined Mitchell Board Racer was the most impressive new appearance.
The fields around Prescott were packed with campers, the pre-war parking packed with tourers and saloons who all came to enjoy the track and the orchard. This year saw a return to the three day format where friday drivers could tackle the 'long course' which was introduced in 1960 and extended the course to 1127 yards, but saturday and sunday was the traditional 880 yard course to ensure continuity with established record times.
It was just last year that James Baxter broke the fabled 40-second barrier for Pre-War cars and flew up the hill in his ERA R4A recording a time of 39.68 seconds, and his offer to walk the hill this year with fellow competitors proved popular and several drivers said his advice and observations helped them improve their times. Baxter was heard to say, "You really shouldn't trust me though, having lifted my own car up onto two wheels on Friday! Hey ho!"
The paddock was filled with cars - old favourites and newcomers like Steve Lister's Freikaiserwagen with its rear-mounted 1096 cc V Twin. The original car appeared at Prescott's first 'Open' meeting in 1938 and the new timing device worked perfectly - except for the Freikaiserwagen which was too low to break the timing beam and passed under it instead of through it. Following a few mods, it set the inaugural record of 47.62 seconds and ever since that first meeting, the 'Open' and 'Vintage' Hill Records have been the ultimate goal for the VSCC's finest drivers and machines.
Once the competitors paused for lunch, it was time to wander through the orchard car park and explore the extraodinary collection of visitors' Pre-War cars. We noticed a beautiful 1921 Bullnose Morris Sports with the mid-day sun reflecting off its polished aluminium bodywork and after meeting endless friends enjoying picnics, we were invited to join the BMW enthusiasts with a glass of champagne and toast the marque's first 100 years. The programme had a very good 4-page potted history.
Marshalls could be recognised by their orange overalls huddled in the shade enjoying a hard earned rest after working since dawn to ensure everything ran smoothly. A marvellous breed of volunteers without whom the event would not take place.
It was 1920s Brooklands that coined the phrase " The right crowd and no crowding" and it sums up the atmosphere at Prescott - a large gathering of like-minded folk out to enjoy their shared hobby. All ages and all walks of life who celebrate their love of motoring with friends and whether under canvas, or in more comfortable accomodation, this date is firmly written in their diaries at the start of every year and despite changing times, the Vintage Sports Car Club always manage to conjure up the right formula of safety, freedom and entertainment in this wonderful home of The Bugatti Owners' Club who had the best tip of the century from VSCC to purchase the land in 1937 and develop the venue into what we enjoy today.
Text/pictures Robin Batchelor and JB