Baxter's Nash pips Bugatti and ERA

An oversubscribed entry, a large and appreciative crowd, and a sunny afternoon made the VSCC’s annual Prescott hill-climb in early August a resounding success. With almost 250 entries, and another 30 turned away, the popularity of the event was clear

Fastest time of the day went to the ex-Guy Smith 1934 Frazer Nash single-seater of James Baxter in 42.69sec. A second-run charge from Baxter in the 3.5-litre Alvis-engined car netted 1-11) by just fivehundredths of a second from Charles Dean in his Bugatti T51. That 42.74sec climb from Dean was enough to secure the fastest pre-war time of the day.

Chasing the top two were the battling ERAs. Mac Hulbert took second to Dean in the 3-litre racing car class in R4D by a mere two-hundredths of a second, from Bruce Spollon in R8C.

With ERA R12B, in the hands of Tony Stephens, hitting problems on its first run, Tony Crowther took the 1500cc racing car class in his Riley.

Carl Gray had his Hardy Special refettled from its off at Shelsley Walsh to claim the 1100cc racing car class with an attacking climb in 44.07sec.

Best vintage car was the 1928 De Havilland-Riley of Geraint Owen with an excellent 44.50sec, while Mark Walker’s GP Panhard took the Edwardian award in 52.78sec.