Just in case anyone is wondering what to do on Sat 26 feb…
VSCC Pomeroy Secret to be Revealed
16 Feb 2011
One of the best secrets in the world of motorsport is going to be revealed to the general public on 26 February for the first time in the event�s 59-year history.
The VSCC Pomeroy Trophy is an intriguing event!
The Vintage Sports-Car Club�s (VSCC) Pomeroy Trophy event is renowned in racing circles as a totally unique event because of the eclectic mix of vehicles that take part in the competition. It is traditionally one of the first circuit events of the new season and uses the National circuit at Silverstone. Every competing car will attempt the handling tests in the morning and full grids will compete in the 40 minute High-Speed Trial in the afternoon. The event is designed to reveal the best all round grand touring car from any era by completion of tests against the clock modified for age, configuration and power by a complicated formula.
VSCC members have always been able to watch the event on production of their membership cards but previously the general public have been unable to spectate at the event due to circuit restrictions. The VSCC is pleased to announce that the general public will now be welcome to attend the event after the VSCC worked in conjunction with Silverstone Circuits to make the event open to all. Non members will be required to pay a modest entrance fee of �10 per person.
The Pomeroy Trophy was devised by Harry Bowler to see if the mathematical analysis of Pre-1939 racing cars made by Laurence Pomeroy Junior could be applied to predict the performance of road touring cars. The formula came from Chapter 31 of Pomeroy�s Thesis �The Grand Prix Car 1906-1939� and was derived from results for cars in the hands of maestros such as Nazzaro and Nuvolari.
The first event was due to be held in 1947 but thanks to petrol rationing it did not go ahead until 1952 and was won by legendary rallyist Peter Binns in a Vauxhaul 30/98.
As ever, the entry for the 2011 event has thrown up some real gems. Gavin Henderson is relishing a pre-season warm up in his 1965 GT40, Jill Rusell lines up in a 1972 Datsun 250Z, Gareth Williams gives his 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage an airing and Peter Newman drives his rare 1962 Owen Special, which has a Jaguar engine.
The Frazer-Nash marque is always well represented at the �Pom and this year is no exception with Patrick Blakeney-Edwards giving his 1928 Frazer-Nash Saloon �Owlet� its circuit debut, Chris Batty, Brian White and Mags Diffey all drive Pre-war TT Rep �Nashes, Alastair Pugh drives his BMW Frazer Nash 328 and Martin Hunt performs in a 1953 Targa Florio.
Last year�s winner, Dudley Sterry will be keen to defend his accolade of 2010 in the 1937 HRS Sports�but Alex Ames will be his main threat driving the late James Diffey�s BMW 2002 tii which claimed James three Pomeroy Trophy victories in the past fifteen years. James�s nephew, George, son of Historic Racer Simon Diffey makes his circuit debut in a gold and black BMW 2002 tii.
Gates open at 9.00am, parking is on the outside of the circuit, but VSCC members can park infield. Entry is �10 per person, children under 16 go free. VSCC members will have free entry upon production of a 2010/2011 VSCC membership card. Woodcote B Grandstand on the outside of the circuit will be open and the BRDC grandstand inside the complex.
On a slight thread drift, whilst walking around Buttermere yesterday we saw a beautiful circa 1940’s car parked at a house. Across the yard was an old guy cleaning what looked like a 30’s racer. Bugatti blue & wire wheels, it looked fab. Stupidly i only said hello & didn’t stop to ask what it was!
Didn’t recognise it from the VSCC lakes trials either.
I’m awaiting confirmation of my entry (fingers crossed) but hopefully my Elise will be joining the party after a one year absence. The more Lotus supporters the better, even if the Exige gets preferential cheering!
I didn’t realise that entry to spectators had previously been restricted to VSCC members despite reading reports over many years in Motor Sport.
Sadly, I won’t be able to make it as I’m off to a karting event.
Hope you all enjoy it.
A quick revi of the event. I saw a number of Elises and Exiges around, but I was the only Lotus entry. I like to think I kept the Lotus end up though, with the second fastest standing start 250m against 911’s, Caymans etc (RS6 pipped me to the fastest time). However I paid the price with a somewhat nerve-racking spin in the rolling 250m which followed it…around Woodcote…in the wet.
After a cautious start in the final event, I racked up a decent performance in the 40 minute time trial on the National Circuit. The highlight was the experience of catching and overtaking an original GT40, undoubtedly being cautiously driven due to conditions but still giving it wellie on the straights. The normal racing line through Woodcote was still treacherously slippery (despite a pretty dry track), with a current road-race spec Aston Martin Vantage repeating my earlier spin and taking out the inside bollards.
A couple of pics from later in the session courtesy of Peter McFadyen
Nice to meet you on Saturday - you certainly drove very well
Your “360” happened directly below where I was watching from in Race Control - superb recovery, & thank goodness you kept away from the barrier
It was a fantastic event - almost 100 competitors in cars dated from 1904 to 2008! Some very, very expensive cars giving it the beans were a joy to watch.
I had a hoot in my ‘not very expensive’ motor car (Alfa 146 #58) which handled better than I thought it would, and braked better than I thought it would, but seemed to lack power on the day (racing driver excuse NO 483). From Ebay to Silverstone, to wife’s shopping car in less than a month…lucky old Alfa!
Good to meet so many people from on here at Silverstone in February. With more notice of its ‘public’ status hopefully we’ll get more non-VSCC visitors in February 2012.
Nice to meet you on Saturday - you certainly drove very well
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Great to meet you too! To be honest I could have gone much quicker, particularly into Copse and potentially through Woodcote. However my previous spin somewhat tempered my enthusiasm! Glad it looked reasonable though from the sidelines though.
One of the best things about the Elise/Exige is just how superb it is under braking relative to other cars. It was very easy to reel in big gaps braking into Brooklands/Luffield from c.120mph. They really are great little cars.
