The VSCC is one of the UK's longest established motor clubs, catering for pre WW2 cars and a host of events including circuit racing and trials.
Trials are where pre WW2 road legal cars attempt to ascend unsurfaced, inevitably muddy, uphill tracks. The further up the hill you manage to go, the more points you get. It's not about time or speed, it's about making sure you don't stop or slip backwards down the hill. You also need a passenger, or several passengers, who are expected to 'bounce' vigorously in their seats to aid traction and therefore progress.
Vehicle modifications are few and are designed to enhance safety.
There are 7 'Trials' that all count towards an annual trophy, and typically each Trial consists of up to 15 hills, all of which should be attempted in the course of the day.
We headed to Walton near Chesterfield where there were 2 hills to be attempted.
The first was relatively gentle, and most cars cleared the hill. The second was more challenging, with a steeper gradient, and a much more rutted and muddy surface. Inevitably, more cars failed to reach the top of this test due to the conditions.
Everyone was very friendly and many of the competitors and marshals obviously knew each other. The weather was exceptionally favourable ith quite a bit of sunshine. This is a relatively affordable form of motorsport, very much a 'grass roots' example of the sport. It was very good to see quite a few younger drivers taking part, and also some all female crews and passengers.
I confess to not being able to identify many of the cars, but manufacturers included Ford, Riley and something which looked a lot like a Bugatti but I suspect it was a replica (apologies to the owner if this is not the case!). No Jaguars unfortunately (too early for that) but we thought one car might be an SS.
If you get a chance, go and explore for yourself.
Details: Vintage Sports Car Club.
https://www.vscc.co.uk/page/ne...
Photos: Hartley & Nigel
