Report and photos by Tim Surman
The Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC) visited Wiscombe Park’s beautiful grounds in Devon, England on 12 May, 2013. With its winding hill climb that starts just outside Wiscombe house, the course at Wiscombe Park crosses a bridge, then, with stunning views across the countryside, winds its way up and into the trees.
A hill climb is very different to circuit racing. It seems all together more relaxed
– Pims anyone? Most definitely a picnic. You can see how the sport started. Before circuit racing, and with the rich gentlemen wanting to test their cars speed, the country estates with their narrow winding drive ways seemed a perfect place to find out how fast they could go. And with no room to overtake, a timed run is perfect and far more gentlemanly.
A dry morning and large crowd provided the full entry of 130 competitors with a gentle start to the VSCC Hill Climb season, however, a short rain shower at lunchtime soon saw times increase in the damp conditions. Rob Cobden took Fastest Time of the Day in his Riley Falcon Special with a time of 52.30 seconds, closely followed by James Baxter driving ERA R4A, who eventually took the award for Fastest Pre-war Car with a time of 52.50 seconds. Fastest Vintage was awarded for a time of 54.10 seconds to the owner of ERA R4A, Nick Topliss, driving his GN ‘Gnome’ and Fastest Sports-Car was presented to Dr David Pryke, with a time of 54.61 seconds in his Morgan / Riley 4/4.
VSCC Wiscombe Park Hill Climb 2013 – Photo Gallery
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[Source: VSCC; Tim Surman]
