CKGB at the VSCC Silverstone Spring Start

The invitation from the Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC) to join them at their Spring Start Race Day was an offer that it would have been hard to turn down. The fact that the event was being held at the iconic Silverstone National Circuit sealed the deal.

The VSCC draws together many of the most fabulous vehicles of the pre-war period (and later), that are still driven and used for competition. The early morning queue leading to Scrutineering was like a who’s who of cyclekart inspiration vehicles. There were some truly astonishing cars. Tom Walker’s Amilcar with its enormous 12l Hispano Suiza aircraft engine barely contained within the slight chassis; Louis McNair’s GN Kapito special that breathed with the spirit of Archie Frazer Nash in its raw simplicity, vee twin engine, absent coachwork and terrifying chain-drive gearbox;  LM4, the historic Aston Martin works team race car that won the Irish GP in 1930;  the 6l Riley Menasco Pirate that battled for the win with a snorting 8l Bentley 3/8. The list could go on, and I’m sure others would have had their own favourites.

We were allocated race garage 12D, right at the Scrutineering end of the paddock. This ensured a steady stream of cars and visitors passing us. The weather was kind to us all day, so we lined up the cyclekarts outside and they looked splendid as they glinted in the sun. Jim had made a stand for the club banner and various people had brought props and period costumes that added to the effect. There was interest from spectators, drivers and officials alike, and, after a little explanation, most seemed to “get it”. I suspect that a few left with the cyclekarting bug starting to do its thing.

The race programme on the circuit was fun to watch, with easy viewing at Copse just a couple of minutes’ walk away from our display.  Elsewhere on site, VSCC was also running an AutoSolo event and here the period cars included many that were of a more “domestic” nature. Nonetheless, putting 80 and 90 year old cars through their paces meant the drivers had that grin we understand only too well!

A huge “thank you” goes to VSCC for extending the invitation and also to all the members that represented the club so well.

Words: Stefan Nahajski
Pics: Stefan, Jim, Graham