Wintery Bracknell meet

On saturday afternoon everything was looking fine, the sky was blue and the sun was out, within a few hours the predicted snow fall had arrived and the Bracknell meet looked to be a whiteout. Sunday morning dawned and various text and FB messages came through as people dropped out. We had a date at Nelsons Dinner near Newbury for breakfast with some friends so we ventured out in the Passat and soon realised that the snow wasn't that bad, the roads were clear. Upon leaving Lily dozed off in the back so we decided to chance it and head over to South Hill Park, on arrival it didn't look promising, nobody was there. As we parked we noticed the grins from the Range Rover, Tim and Paul had made it and new member Phil was there in his Golf. Not a write off at all.







We stood around and nattered, Phil wanted advice on electrics and bodywork for his '68 Bay Camper, the right people were there! In the background the screams of the massive crowd sledging in the park.



Being a forward thinking and not wanting to have to carry Lily in the event of blocked roads or other snow related problems, stout boots and a sledge along with hats and scarves and gloves were packed. All perfect for a trip down the hill next to the meet. Tim risked life and limb as well, sadly the sledge is a kiddies one and not really built for those of us with fuller frames.





I then had several runs, each more chaotic and crash filled than the last!







Thin plastic and a kerb to drop off can be a painful combination.







Taking it easy for a bit we continued the technical chat with Phil.



The it was time for a last run, struggling to the summit the intrepid sledger took his life in his own hands and ready for the off. Away down the icey run, over the kerb and.....straight into the metal fencing round the building work. Ouch!



I retired from the sledging world immediately.



Then we made tracks for home.



There wasn't a huge turn out like the last few meetings, but I don't blame everyone else. It was cold and slippery but those that made it enjoyed themselves.

Steve.

Share

Vintage trials and other Brooklands based fun

I decided once again my first motorsport hit of the year had to be the VSCC Winter Trials at Brooklands, tagging along with me for the day was Brooklands virgin Malcolm. After a brief history lesson on the way in we headed straight for the test hill via the coffee stand! There are five trails, all involve circumnavigating a series of cones set out in the various arenas. The test hill is a slope stretching up to the members hill. Starting at 1:8 and increasing through 1:5 to 1:4 at the top its a challenge for pre war cars.





From the test hill you can wander over to the Members Bridge which offers amazing views up and down the banked track.









On route to the next trial we popped into the vast hanger that houses the aircraft display. Dominated by the crashed Wellington bomber that was puilled from Loch Ness.





As well as the trials cars there were lots of other pre 1930s cars parked around the museum grounds.







Moving up on to the banking we watched a few of the cars through their trials as they slid on the damp concrete and wet leaves.







After a bite to eat we wandered round the other buildings of the museum, I've seen the cars before, but its still amazing to see vehicles from the dawn of the sport as well as those from the 60s and 70s.





Then it was time to warm up with chips!



Back on the banking we saw the last of the trials, the temperature was nippy to say the least so we moved round them quickly.











A new addition to the museum is the relocated Chobham Bus collection, being a fan of anything motorised and the fact it was in doors meant we stopped of for a bit.







With the trails almost over we decided to head off home via the next door Mercedes World. For Malcolm a BMW employee it was an uneasy trip! As well as the modern cars in the showroom there are several older classics.











And with that we headed home, warmed by the heated seats of a BMW and having experienced some superb driving by hardy drivers. The rest of the photos are here

Steve.

Share

Great start to the VW year

This time last year I was blogging about a really disappointing Bracknell, our Passat was the only car in the carpark and we left early after a quick cuppa with some friends. The rest of 2011 went down hill and by the summer we’d pretty much given up on it. An influx of new team members and a new chairman at the end of the year saw the meets gaining popularity via good advertising. This has carried across to 2012. On first glance it looked like it would just be two Bays, but within minutes of us arriving the party started. Lily was snoozing in the front so I took the opportunity to snap away as I was there on my own.



A trio of Type 3s drove in, two Squarebacks and a Notch. This Square was riding on air and there was mere mms between beam and tarmac.





Beetles were well represented as well.



As were Campers.





Infact I think short of a Type 4 we had everything covered from air and water cooled with the 25 cars that turned out.



And if you haven’t got a VW that’s running…..improvise like Andy.



My photography assistant had awoken so after a walk around she took to the buggy for some snapping.







Getting chilly and with the light beginning to fade we all headed off, once again Lily enjoying every minute of being up front, she leapt at the chance to get behind the wheel again when we got home.



It was a brilliant start to the year, if we can keep this up the club is on the up once more. The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

Share