Racing from the other side of the fence as a VSCC marshal

I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a great 2023 season of competing with the Vintage Sports-Car Club, and every now and then I feel it’s right to give something back to the sport. That’s why I opted not to compete in the Winter Driving Tests, held at Bicester Heritage, and instead volunteer as a marshal.

In hindsight it’s questionable whether this was the correct decision, given the Baltic freezing conditions on the day, but once wrapped up there was lots of fun to be had.

With an impressive entry, each competitor was provided with five litres of free sustainable fuel provided by Sustain Classic, as the VSCC continues to lead the way for a sustainable future for motor sport.

There was also a specific class for new, younger or non-members, sponsored by StarterMotor (a charity that helps to encourage the younger generation to take part in vintage/historic/classic motoring) and it was great to see so many new faces getting involved and having a go in the world of the VSCC.

I was placed at test five with the very knowledgeable test chief Jim Wood and a handy team of marshals. I managed to get the job of scoring the times on competitors’ scorecards… thankfully when I messed the first one up and put the wrong time in the wrong place it was for my good (yet very competitive) friend Theo Hunt. Thankfully we both realised my mistake, so it didn’t impact his winnings.

It was very impressive to see so many people turn up and compete in such trying conditions, with some even driving through the early hours in their vintage motors to be able to make it to Bicester on time – a great example was Patrick Teague driving his Austin 7 Ulster from Worcestershire. He was the first to attempt our test and lodged a fairly impressive time too.

The range of tests was set across the airfield, and competitors were given a map of each, a series of cones set out and a route to go round them, some with reversing and stops. Ours was a long test with some good wiggles before a long drive up the airfield, round some cones, and back towards the finish line, with a need to stop astride two cones before then stopping at the finish line. Thankfully we had some beady-eyed marshals to signal to us when competitors were too eager to get going after the stop astride. This was the biggest test of the day and divided those who were successful from those who weren’t.

What I love about marshalling is the opportunity to see and speak to everyone competing that day, something you don’t get as a competitor. The winter driving tests brings out an array of vehicles from Edwardians to the gorgeous Alfa 6C owned by Alex Pilkington and everything in-between.

Winners from the day included Harry Colledge in his mighty Model A; Will Marsh who also bagged the quickest time of the day on our test and was rounding off a momentous 2023 after claiming the club’s Lycett Memorial Trophy for gaining most points during the year; and Eric Harris in his newly acquired Austin 7, which won the light car class.

Reflecting on another amazing year with the VSCC, I can’t encourage you enough to get involved, for the cars, for the fun, but mostly for the people you’ll meet. And what better way to get involved than signing up to be a marshal. If you’re tempted, give it a go. What have you got to lose?