“There are three cars in my class and I’m currently sixth!”

So said Ian Morgan the driver of car no 1, a Ford Model T, as he exited the first test (Blakeney’s Bend) at the VSCC winter tests event at Bicester Heritage.

There were ten tests set out around the perimeter of the old airfield, where drivers were tasked with weaving between various marker cones in the correct order, and direction. Some drivers had the test pinned to a clipboard, others relied on a brief survey of the test before starting. There were 136 entries on my list of which many were shared cars. There were a few additions who I could not identify.

All the cars were prewar, with quite a number of Austin Sevens in various guise. Other marques included Frazer Nash, Singer, a Morgan/Riley 4/4 (something to be investigated there), Riley, a lone Peugeot, a Bentley, three MGs although I failed to spot the PA, and something called an Overland Speedster.

In order to succeed, a driver had to complete the test with no errors. The car with the fastest “clean test” in class would be the winner. It’s doubtful that many drivers “cleaned” all the tests although a lack of prize giving meant the results would remain unpublished on the day.

As with any motorsport event, cars and drivers have to undergo scrutineering. There being no requirements for competition licenses or safety clothing etc. scrutineering revolved around the general presentation of the car; was there a fuel cut off; do the brakes work etc?

While this was going on I grabbed a coffee and the obligatory bacon bun, or brioche, as they say. The tests were spread out so my car would be needed to save my legs.

All the cars had to complete all the tests so it would have been possible to photograph them all in one location. However, moving around gave me the opportunity to seek different, but not always better, backgrounds. It also meant I didn’t get to all of the tests, nor did I see all of the cars.

Kicking up mud always makes for a good shot so the final test “Marsh’s Meander” was ideal.

Glover’s Glide had the cars run down a damp gravel track and then reverse into and out of a “hammer head”, then head back up to the gate at the start.

Kneller’s Kink allowed the drivers to stretch their car’s legs. It involved a long run to the furthest point then a dash back, punctuated with a turn off and reverse exercise.

A building site provided the backdrop to Stephen’s Shuffle, a confined area where the cars negotiated six bollards, returning to finish astride the exit gate.

Ballard’s Bollard required some reversing skill as well as an ability to park the car correctly across two gates.

Final stop for me was at test No. four, “Smith’s Slide”. Another test where the cars could be driven quickly.

I was accompanied around the tests by Izzy Fitzgerald, a talented photography student who is completing her dissertation on “Women in Motorsport”. Look her up on Instagram @shotbyiz. As such, she had quite a range of very focused women to choose from this weekend. Corrine Davies-Griffith being just one example.

So with pleasant company and surrounded by noisy engines being exercised, there was even a hint of Castrol R from one of the MGs, I had a great time.

This discipline is so far removed from mainstream circuit or rallying that it’s easy to forget that you don’t need expensive kit and a licence to have fun behind the wheel.

There were many smiles from the competitors and some laughs from me. I photographed Andrea Downham in her Riley. She was looking out of the side of the car so all I got was the top of her head!

Thank you to the VSCC (Ethan Harris and the team) for permitting me to join in the fun. I hope I can join in again next year at the POM and other events.

As ever there are a host of pictures on my site here. Feel free to browse, comment, critique etc.