ONLY IN THE UK

Have you ever been to a race meeting hosted by the Vintage Sports-car Club? If not, you are seriously missing out…

The Vintage Sports Car-club invented the historic race meeting. The VSCC held the first motorsport event after the Second World War, when 12-15,000 people flocked to the Elstree Speed Trials, and it was the Frazer Nash section of the VSCC that held that first race at Silverstone. Known as the Mutton Grand Prix, it was enjoyed by all – except perhaps the sheep that were unfortunately run over during the race.

Since 1934, the VSCC has provided British enthusiasts with a playground for old cars of all sorts, be they fantastic supercharged straighteight Grand Prix cars such as a Bugatti T35B, humble Austin Sevens, opulent Rolls-royce Silver Ghosts or a lightweight GN hillclimb special, built in a garden shed and displaying the exposed valvegear on its air-cooled V-twin. What makes a VSCC event extraordinary is that the drivers of these remarkable and historic machines are happy to talk to anyone who shows an interest. A VSCC event does not promote a feeling of hierarchy, where the drivers are aloof; we are all in the paddock together to race our cars and provide a spectacle for people who want to come along and share our passion for the beginnings of motorsport.

VSCC race meetings have a friendly, clubby feel. Many people camp at the race track, as part of the fun. There is a community within the club that has something for everyone, be it racing your car, helping to fettle and prepare one of the vehicles, joining the buoyant, jovial crew of volunteer marshals, or simply sitting on a grassy bank with a picnic and watching the amazing range of historic machines as they race by.

The paddock offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these exciting vehicles. You will often find a car undergoing a major rebuild between races: part of the joy of pre-war cars is that you can fix them yourself. For a spectator with an interest in engineering, the fascination of the way cars used to work is endless. Many of the VSCC race meetings and hillclimbs have a unique, localised classic and vintage tyre-fitting service, with Longstone Tyres in residence, providing the opportunity to see a range of classic tyres in the rubber, and having a fitting service at the race track. Where else can you get your wire wheels balanced?

Added to that, there is often a concours d’élégance on site, displaying some of the most beautiful pre-war cars, and an Autosolo driving test where you can get close to the action.