Saturday 27 February 2010

The VSCC Pomeroy Trophy

A chat at the Ace Café recently with PaulH from RetroRides led to an invite to be a guest at the VSCC Pomeroy Trophy at Silverstone, the members only event is one of the first chances for the Vintage Sports Car Club members to get on track, the day begins with a series of test before three 40 minute races are held on the national circuit at Silverstone. Following a blast up the M40 in driving rain we parked up and headed to the Priory Corner pitlane, the day is open to anything in the quest to find the “best GT car” various requirements have to be adhered to including luggage storage and weather protection. The variety was staggering!

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As the cars completed the first tests they were parked up, access to these expensive and rare machines was unlimited and all the drivers were more than happy to discuss their mounts.

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Ouch!
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After a short break the action was on again, this time we crossed the hallowed tarmac of the Grand Prix pitlane and climbed the pitwall, sticking heads through the gaps in the fence to get up close and personal with the cars coming down the Pit Straight.

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Soon the lunch time break arrived, we fed and watered ourselves and had a nose round the garages as people prepped for the afternoon races.

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Walking down to the Copse Corner grandstand we had no trouble getting a seat and the perfect vantage point to see the opening run for the oldest cars.

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Wandering down to the next grandstand at the Maggots/Becketts Complex we got to see the last of the late breakers sliding underneath slower cars and spitting fire as they headed down the Club Straight.

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The promised rain finally began and the skinny tyres offered minimal grip making the pack slow right down until the race ended. Back in the garages the racers dried out and cleaned the cars ready for the drive home.

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Out on track the next race was under way, the conditions were awful with standing water on the straight, but still the cars ploughed on.

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As the second race ended the cars for the final stint were readied, whilst one team was carrying out major surgery on the head gasket of a still steaming engine.

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Grabbing a seat in the grandstand over looking Brooklands and Luffield for the final hoorah we were in the dry at last and had the ideal viewing point for the end of the straight and round the tight turns to finish.

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The race was sadly red flagged after one of the Morgans lost it and clouted the barriers luckily the only damage being to body work and pride.

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With the day over the teams packed up and we headed South, that’s two VSCC events I’ve been to this year, both completely different, but both showing that it doesn’t matter how old the car, you can still have lots of fun behind the wheel.

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Thanks for reading, to find more photos have a look here.

Steve.

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