This 1903 6 h.p. Napoleon just entered for Pre-War Prescott and is the earliest car that we have ever seen at any Pre-War Prescott.  Not only that, but Julian Clarke has booked three climbs, plus his free one.  A veteran of several London to Brighton runs, this old stager will make a fine sight on the hill.  One of the tremendous aspects of Pre-War Prescott is that it offers the opportunity for some rare and fascinating lower-powered and non-competitive cars to make runs up this historic hill.

Entries are now flowing in at a good clip.  As of this morning with just 40 days to go we have 135 entries, so we just have 65 places left.  We also have 363 climbs booked from the maximum 475, so we have just over a hundred climbs left.  Time to enter now if you have not already done so.

As the weekend approaches, we will be posting more frequent updates and reminders here, so check back regularly for all the latest news.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63EyhWYuuAI&app=desktop

One of the great things about Pre-War Prescott is that there is plenty of camping in the Orchard right at the hill – and but a short downhill stagger from the Clubhouse on Saturday night.  Every year, we have 20 or 30 tents and camper vans lining the far side of the Orchard, plus a number of car trailers.  Its a delightful and idyllic spot with showers and loos readily at hand.  Five pounds a night, paid to the Bugatti Owners Club some time over the weekend – and you can stay Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.  All very low key and relaxed.  One of the highlights for me of Pre-War Prescott is pitching up on the Orchard on Saturday afternoon as campers arrive and welcoming them for the weekend before heading off to the Royal Oak at Gretton for my first English pint of the year and a more general welcoming reception.

I saw this VW tent and fell in love with it immediately.  Somebody PLEASE bring one to Prescott!

 

 

With just two months to go the Pre-War Prescott 2017, here’s an inspirational video taken by Mike Davies-Colley of three climbs at Pre-War Prescott last year in his 1934 MG PA.  As of this morning we have 117 entries of the approximately 200 expected.  318 of the available 475 climbs have been allocated, so we are well on our way to the very best Pre-War Prescott yet.

We also have a fantastic 48 entries for the Sunday Navigation Rally and hugely popular parallel Scenic Tour.  We were working to a limit of 50 entries, but the great news is that we have managed to increase this to 60.  Nevertheless, if you plan to enter on Sunday and make a weekend of it, it would be a very good idea to get your entry in without delay.

A reminder that camping is available in the Orchard at Prescott over the entire weekend – always a popular option for many.

The big breaking news this week is that, for the first time, we will be hosting a gathering of cyclecars and GN’s at Prescott on Saturday.  These rare and quirky machines will be lined up and displayed at the bottom end of the Paddock, in front of the trade stands.  They should make a spectacular sight.

Other clubs are working hard to gather entries, including the MG Car Club’s MMM Register (56 entries last year, more expected this year), the Hotchkiss Society, the Riley Register, the Alvis clubs and the Wolseley Hornet Specials Club, as well as various Austin 7 clubs and, of course, your hosts, the Vintage Minor Register.

As of this morning, we have 106 entries for Saturday at Prescott and 43 entries for the Navigation Rally and parallel Scenic Tour on Sunday.  These numbers are slightly up from where we were at this point last year, so we are getting set for another tremendous weekend.  So far, we have a dozen Morris Minor and 32 MMM entries as well as a wide variety of entries including Alvis, Austin, Bentley, BSA, Ford, GN, Hotchkiss, Riley, Salmson, Singer, Sunbeam, Talbot, Vauxhall, White and Wolseley, together with plenty of other Morrises and MGs.

A total of 287 climbs have been allocated to date, out of a possible 475, so we have a little under 200 to go.  From our experience last year, I know that climbs will sell out before the day.  I do try to hold back a handful for the day, but I also know that, from this point forward, entries come in thick and fast, and that number of available climbs will dwindle rapidly from here on in.

We have a good variety of trade stands, with Motor Wheel Services joining us after a break last year due to a clash in events.  The Air Training Corps will be joining us once again, as will the Royal Air Force Association with their new display vehicle. We have four supercars booked as course cars, including a Ferrari 458 and will be raffling a spirited run up the hill in each of these cars, in aid of the RAF Charitable Trust.

Another highlight of the day will be flypasts by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s 1942 Douglas C-47 Dakota ZA947.  In past years, we have enjoyed the awesome sight and sound of the Flight’s Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster over Pre-War Prescott.  The Dakota is the only type that we have not seen yet.  I hear that it puts on an extremely impressive display as it is a large aircraft and come in much lower than the Lanc!

Jack Prior haggles with Harry Edwards at the Morris Register’s annual rally at Stanford Hall, believed to have been some time in the seventies.  (Photo:  Ken Martin)

In past years, we have held an auction of donated spares and automobilia with the proceeds being donated to the RAF Charitable Trust.  After discussion with Hereford Vintage Auctions and the Trust, we can now announce that this year, Hereford Vintage Auctions will be holding a full-blown charity auction with the net proceeds going to the sellers and the commissions donated to the Trust.  Lots are now invited from members and non-members alike and will be posted here, so that everyone can view the lots in advance of the weekend.  We would also welcome donated items as in previous years, and 100% of the proceeds from these will be donated to the Trust.  So this is your opportunity to turn your unwanted spares, automobilia and even your pre-war car into hard cash, and support a very good cause at the same time.  Please e-mail details of your lots, with your reserve and photos if possible to vintageminor@gmail.com.

The introduction of exotic course cars at last year’s Pre-War Prescott was very well received, adding a touch of spectacle and interest to the day.  This year, we are excited that Cotswold Motorsport are bringing three supercars to support us, including a fabulous Ferrari 458 Berlinetta.  And even better, YOU will  have a chance to experience a charge up the hill in these cars!  We will be raffling a run up the hill in each of the three supercars on the day, with 100% of the funds raised going to the RAF Charitable Trust.  This represents three incredible opportunities to experience Prescott like you have never done before.   With a o to 60 of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 24o mph, these climbs should be … memorable.  Flameproof underwear, G suit and neck brace will be provided – just kidding!

 

We are delighted to announce that once again, Mike Dowley and his band will be entertaining us on Saturday evening at the Clubhouse on Prescott Hill.  Tickets for the hugely popular evening BBQ-style buffet and dance night can be booked on the home page of this website – just click the ENTRY FORM link.

Mike is well known to many, having run his vital MG spares business for many years.  He has also sponsored our Summer Rallies since the very first one in 2001 and every Pre-War Prescott.  This year, Mike is working feverishly to complete his MG Q Type (Q0252), seen here, in time for the weekend.  We can’t wait to see it in action on the hill!

8th March 2017  In past years, we have enjoyed the awesome sight and sound of  the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster over Pre-War Prescott.
We can now announce that this year the Flight has allocated us their iconic 1942 Douglas C-47 Dakota ZA947.  ZA947 is currently painted to represent Dakota FZ692 of No 233 Squadron, around the D-Day period in 1944.  This aircraft, which was named ‘Kwicherbichen’ by her crews, was involved in para-dropping operations on the eve of D-Day and subsequently in re-supply and casualty evacuation missions into and out of forward airfields in the combat areas.  The female nurses who escorted the casualties on these flights became known as ‘The Flying Nightingales’.
By the end of 1944, 1,092 stretcher cases and 467 sitting wounded had been evacuated to England by the 233 Squadron Dakotas.  The Dakota will make a stirring sight and sound over the hill on Saturday.  To read more about the 233 Squadron operations, Dakota FZ692 ‘Kwicherbichen’ and aeromedical casualty evacuation in 1944, go here.

Entries for Pre-War Prescott 2017 are running well ahead of this point last year.  As of today we have forty entries for Saturday and 99 climbs allocated.  We also have a fantastic 26 entries for the navigation rally and parallel scenic tour on Sunday which is 50% of full capacity.  So if you are planning to make a weekend of it, may I suggest that you get your entry in without delay as we are bound to be fully subscribed long before the weekend.  You can check out the entry list using the link above which is updated as entries arrive.

 

The 2017 entry list is now live!  Just click on the ENTRY LIST link above to open the list.  As of this morning, we have received and processed 24 entries – we had three at this point last year!  The list will be updated regularly as entries arrive.  If you have entered, you can check your entry particulars – do contact us immediately if your entry doesn’t match your records!