WISCOMBE PARK 2022

Wiscombe Park Hill Climb, Devon, Colyton.

On the weekend 07/08 May there is, for the Wright petrolheads, an unmissable event.

It does, unfortunately clash with the ‘Throrneycroft’ Show, which we’ve attended for decades. This year we could go guilt-free 😊.

I dusted off the Bitter SC with its new MOT, Ollie took his 1928 Sunbeam tourer and friend Stu his newly acquired 1965 E-Type which he is running in after a rebuild. We convoyed down early morning. We got 3 miles before the Sunbeam failed to proceed. Running on 4 and ‘bubbles’ noticed via the headgasket. Humm, not a good sign. Off with the bonnet and rocker cover to discover that the cylinder head had not been tightened down after the obligatory 200 miles from new gasket install. A massive 1.4 turn on each bolt, much ribbing and banter as expected, and we were off. Amazingly no damage done and all good thereafter. We get to park in the VIP area close to the action as we are friends with the owners of Wiscombe Park, whose 1928 Bentley Ollie keeps up to snuff for them.

Saturday is a practice day and for the VSCC event on the Sunday and a competitive days for various classes of motorbikes [super fast times from these guys!] and moderns, from Caterhams to Saxo’s! Together with grub and a local beet tent the perfect weekend. Sunday is race day and all manner of vintage cars ran up the hill. An amazing sound and spectacle. Most of them made it. Unfortunately 1 did not, with a spectacular ‘off’ into the trees, driver thrown out. A lovely ERA. Well it was. Driver airlifted to Hospital with broken leg. Dangerous stuff vintage racing.

One highlight is seeing some amazing vehicles - the Vintage Austin very nearly came home with me……..

Brooklands Sunbeam Land Speed Centenary.

As a Sunbeam owner and Club Member, Oliver was invited to the Centenary Celebration of the Sunbeam Land Speed record held at Brooklands. This 1922 record breaking run around the circuit included a race with a train, the spectacle to be re-enacted at the exact same time 100 years later. The car and it mechanics were brought up from Beaulieu and the grandson of the original driver NAME was flown in from the USA and posed in the cockpit. The Press were out in force.

Also on display were pre-war Sunbeam owner’s cars and no fewer than 6 pre-war speed record breaking cars (that were demonstrated on the circuit later in the day). An awesome day.

Ollie had tickets for the gala dinner as a SOC Member in the Brooklands Member’s Building – very fancy indeed - so yours truly went home for tea and cakes!