VSCC Winter Tests

Following last years introduction to the world of the Vintage Sports Car Club at Brooklands, I decided to give it another try. Unlike last years snowed out January date this year things went ahead as normal, the sky was blue and cloudless and the temperature, in the sun at least, was quite pleasant. As its always more fun to have a car full on these trips the whole family and my brother jumped in for the drive over, through the ticket gate at the old banked circuit we were soon amongst the pre war rides.



Winner of the “best radiator cap mascot” this MG was sporting a very nifty Schneider Trophy Supermarine Spitfire model with turning prop.



Dressed for the weather!



The first test we headed for was the infamous “Test Hill” a mighty stretch of concrete that climbs from the flat to a staggering 1:4 at the top, pushing the pram up the track alongside was a bit of a struggle, but worth it for the views at the end.







Walking on to the Members Bridge we got a birdseye view of the banking based tests, cars on skinny tyres skittering along on the damp surface.





Easing our way down the slope, the thought of a runaway baby hurtling into the carpark below, I was thankful for hiking boots today! Back on the flat we watched one of the many salmon style auto tests, each laid out in cones to confuse the drivers.



One of our cars of the day, the 1911 Scat Racer, 9.5lts of thundering engine hurling a couple of wicker chairs strapped to the chassis along.



We took a wander round the paddock, marvelling at the variety of cars on show, each one showing signs of heavy use in the mud and leaves of the tests.









While the last of the morning tests was run we nabbed a table for lunch and then had a walk round the museum, there is far more to look at than is possible in a day, but I’ve been a few times now so selected my favourite sections to peruse, before heading back up to the banking for the afternoon tests.





We ended up following this 1932 Morgan three wheeler round a few tests, its driver running a hand throttle to ease the 990cc engined car round.







I took to the banking myself, but chickened out mid way up as the slope got steeper.









With the sun going down the temperature was dropping too, so we took a last wander round before heading for home. A fantastic day out and a great introduction for Lily to the high octane world of motorsport.





The rest of the photos can be seen here

Steve.


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