Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Riviera Guy]

Over the weekend of the 8th and 9th May 2021, Wiscombe Park turned the clock back to the 20’s and 30’s when competitors from all over the country descended on the hill for a weekend of motorsport against the clock with their vintage race cars.

Under current Government and Motorsport UK guidelines, spectators were not allowed to attend, and it was a “behind closed doors” event. However, Wiscombe Park launched their streaming service which was available on Facebook. Whilst spectators are not currently permitted, this should prove very popular. Check on the web site www.wiscombepark.co.uk for all the latest information.

On Saturday, the 500 Owners Association and its members competed in the very wet conditions. The day started as relatively light drizzle for practice, but as lunch approached, so did the heavy rain which continued all afternoon for the timed runs. However, the brave drivers still competed as best as the conditions would allow them to. There were a lot of “sideways” moments!

The 500 Owners Association was founded in 1946 by motor racing enthusiasts who turned to 500cc motor bike engines as a more affordable option to the larger capacity engines. By 1950, they had received so much support, that it became known as Formula 3. Over the years, drivers who went on to become world famous started in 500’s including Stirling Moss, Ken Tyrell, Peter Collins and Bernie Ecclestone.

The 500 Owners Association were joined by the National Hill Climb Association members on their bikes and side cars.

On Sunday, it was the turn of the Vintage Sports-Car Club as hosts. The club was founded in 1934 and caters specifically for pre-was cars. It is one of the largest motoring clubs in the world and is highly regarded. Fortunately, the VSCC members enjoyed a relatively dry day with only occasional showers.

The oldest car competing on Sunday was the 1903 Mercedes of Roger Collings powered by a massive 9 Litre engine. Most of the cars competing were built in the 20’s and 30’s with models from Austin, Riley, MG, and Frazer Nash being the most popular. There were also a number of “specials” - the result of the creativity and ingenuity of men in their sheds using whatever was available to build a car. Sometimes, the only engine choice was something that was used to power a aeroplane! These cars are incredible and totally unique. Their owners happy to still drive them in anger.

One example of a “special” is the1928 Shelsley Special Grannie driven expertly and flamboyantly by Charlie Martin. Powered by a JAP motorcycle engine, it demands a very special driving style. Charlie took the Class 13 Class win, and his time was the 9th quickest of the meeting. A car definitely not for the feint hearted!

Fastest time of the day went to well known historic racer Terry Crabb in his ERA R12C who has owned the car since 2007. This chassis, a works race car from 1936, was once owned by H R H Prince Chula Chakrabongse of Thailand in the late 30’s. Only 20 ERA’s were built between 1934 and 1952. ERA is probably one of the most important British racing cars ever built, and all 20 survive and are extremely valuable.

Second fastest was Riley specialist Greg Lerigo in the Riley Special.

The third fastest car was another famous marque, the Bugatti Type 51 of Edmund Burgess. The black 1932 racer sounded glorious as it blasted up Wis Straight. Edmund survived a very nasty accident in the car at the Chateau Impney Hillclimb in 2016. The car flipped upside down trapping him underneath it. Fortunately, he did not suffer any serious injuries. The car was relatively unscathed too – just as well – it is worth in excess of £1M! Race cars of that era have no safety features – no roll over bar or seat belts...make a mistake, and there are serious consequences.

It was a very enjoyable weekend of time travel – being surrounded by the cars that, although they may look very primitive by today’s standards, were the innovators responsible for the development of the car. These cars look so at home in the beautiful surroundings of Wiscombe Park.

500 Owners Association Top Ten:

1 Andrew Forsyth OMS CF04 44.29

2 Jan Yeo Legend 34 Ford 49.93

3 Samuel Gibbons Audi TT 50.90

4 David Tearle Ginetta G12 52.14

5 Julian Rinaldi Fiat Panda 53.12

6 Jamie Fisher-Pearson MG Midget 53.58

7 Edmund Burgess Bugatti Type 51 54.25

8 Roland Hanbury OMS 2000M 54.38

9 David Pryke Frazer Nash Shelsley 55.24

10 James Tearle Ginetta G12 55.42


500 Owners Association Top Ten - bikes:

1 Tom Short KTM SMR 44.24

2 Tommy Hodges Team GV KTM SMR 45.08

3 Jamie Mitchell BRC 45.28

4 Stu Mills KTM Monster 48.08

5 Glynn Poole KTM 48.28

6 Matthew Moggridge Suzuki TL1000S 48.39

7 Chris Keates Honda 48.43

8 Rich Peaty KTM 49.09

9 Simon Hocking Husaberg 50.10

10 Patrick Evans KTM 50.90


VSCC Top Ten:

1 Terry Crabb ERA R12C 51.97

2 Greg Lerigo Riley Special 53.95

3 Edmund Burgess Bugatti Type 51 54.39

4 Dougal Cawley GN / Ford Piglet 54.48

5 Ian Baxter Alta 61 IS 54.83

6 Jeremy Flann Curtiss Le Zebre Special 54.85

7 Peter Hopkinson Riley Special 55.78

8 Tim Hopkinson Riley Special 57.13

9 Geoff Smith Piccard-Pictet Sturtevant 57.61

10 Trevor Hirst Alvis Firefly Special 57.78



Photo's from the weekend can be viewed on Flickr:

Saturday

500 Owners Association:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/riviera_guy/albums/72157719545938116

National Hill Climb Association:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/riviera_guy/albums/72157719542465539

Sunday

The Vintage Sports-Car Club

https://www.flickr.com/photos/riviera_guy/albums/72157719578382309