Gloucestershire’s oldest motor sport venue will celebrate the history of speed on Saturday May 27th with Prescott Historique. Bugatti Owners’ Club first ran hill climbs at Prescott in 1938, having purchased the venue the previous year, but the machinery in action at the weekend will span more than a century of motorsport heritage.
Among the machinery tackling the challenging 1127-yard course which rises over two hundred feet will be no fewer than seven ERA single seaters. ERAs (English Racing Automobiles) were built in Bourne in Lincolnshire from 1933 until 1954 and were campaigned by, among others, ERA founder Raymond Mays, Dick Seaman and Prince Bira, a member of the Siamese royal family. Through the 1930s they dominated the European voiturette racing for smaller engined race cars.
Raymond Mays himself was a regular hill climb competitor and it was in Prescott that he clinched the 1947 British Hillclimb Championship title behind the wheel of his ERA R4D,
Meanwhile, Mays had founded BRM or British Racing Motors in 1945. Perhaps the most famous car that they built was the V16, powered by a 1.5 litre, 16-cylinder supercharged engine. Along with Mays, Frenchman Raymond Sommer, Reg Parnell and, most famous of all, Stirling Moss drove the car. The V16 is renowned among motorsport aficionados for the remarkable engine note produced by the immensely complex engine and visitors to Prescott will be able to hear as well as see the car in action.
These are just a few of the 150 or more cars and motorcycles that will be in action on the day with the event including a round of the prestigious Fassi Classic Speed Championship which includes classic for saloons, sports cars and racing cars. That ensures that visitors will see many of the cars present put to the purpose for which they were designed and built.
As if the own track action was not enough, the day will also see a static display of historic machinery and a fascinating array of stands in the trade village where visitors will find, among others model car and book sellers, while a number of local charities will be using the day as an opportunity to raise funds.
As ever, mouth-watering hot breakfasts and lunches will be available in the Clubhouse with the bar offering an array of local ciders and the full range of famous Prescott Ales.
More information, including how to purchase advance tickets is available on the venue’s web site. www.prescotthillclimb.co.uk
EVENT TIMETABLE
Friday 26th May
1000hrs – Paddock and Orchard Access for Invited Cars
1300hrs - Paddock and Orchard opens
1700hrs - Clubhouse opens
1900hrs - Paddock closes
Clubhouse open till late
Saturday 27th May
0700hrs - Paddock Access Opens
0820hrs - Earliest engines can be started
0830hrs – Practice Commences
Hill Demonstrations (BRMs, ERAs, Roy Lane McLaren)
Parade (Raymond Mays Touring Car)
Lunch
Hill Demonstrations (BRMs, ERAs, Roy Lane McLaren)
13.58hrs – Spitfire Flyover
Timed Runs
Awards Presentation in the Clubhouse
CLUBHOUSE MENU
Friday - Open for Food and Drinks from 1700hrs - late
Friday Evening Meal
Chicken tikka masala and coconut rice - £10.95
Sweet potato, chickpea and spinach curry with coconut rice - £10.95
Served with Naan breads, poppadom and chutney
Or Macaroni Cheese, served with garlic bread and salad
Saturday
The Clubhouse Menu Breakfast Served 07:00 to 11:00
Full English Breakfast - £12.45
Breakfast Baps - £4.75
Pastries £2.40
Hot Lunch Served from 12:00 to 15:00
Chicken in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce with New Potatoes and Spring Greens - £11.95
Ham, Egg and Chips - £11.95
Spicy Bean Hotpot with Crispy Potatoes - £10.95
Selection of Sandwiches with Rainbow Slaw and Crisps - £6

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