On Sunday 31st January we found ourselves heading back down to Brooklands, on a cold wet morning to see the VSCC Driving Tests held there. These tests comprise of a defined route that has to be driven around, without the car touching the cones defining the route, as well as having to stop in certain places, all whilst being timed against the clock. A test of both the driver's ability and the performance of the pre-war cars.

First port of call for all entries is for the cars to be scrutineered, as you can see only the hardy need apply as the rain was already falling rather heavily by this point.

Only true enthusiasts use their umbrella to keep the car dry while getting wet themselves.

Little & Large.

Lovely patinated timber on this woody.

A rather frightening passenger.

And so the action began, as cars were put through their paces.

Cars of all types were being used.

Give a Frazer-Nash driver a corner to negotiate and they will reach for the handbrake as well as the steering wheel!

Lovely Alfa was being driven with real enthusiasm.

Whilst others went about the task rather more sedately.

Looks as if soemeone will be busy with a a bucket of soapy water later.

All sorts of headwear was being used to keep the mud out of eyes and the head warm on what was a very damp and cold day.

These cars may well be old, but they have a surprising turn of speed.

Needless to say, there was much to chat about!

The saying is 'Flat out and fearless' I believe.

Cornering hard to make it around the cone as fast as possible, with a look of intense concentration on the face. Now either that is a very large cone, or it is a very small car!

Where would you be without your lucky mascot on display?

The benefits of competing in a car with a roof on, of course was that you remained dry (hopefully). Note the rather steep angle of body lean as the car tries to negotiate the corner at a far higher speed than it was intended to when it was built!

One of the more nimble saloons.

Tight turns, speed and maneuverability were not this machines strong points, but the driver still attacked the course with enthusiasm.

Whenever you bring a highly strung sporting classic out to play, it pays to have a willing push starting gang at your disposal.

Brooklands, as always had a quirky scenario hidden away for you to discover.

When the excitement gets too much, best to pour yourself a nice glass of wine, open the packet of crisps and just relax!

Many thanks to all those that made the day possible, the marshalls, volunteers, and drivers that braved what were at times some pretty miserable weather conditions to put on a very entertaining day's sport. Looking forward to next year's event already!

On January 3rd we heading to Bicester Heritage, for their first Sunday Scramble of the year. This is fast becoming one of my favourite venues, not only due to the selection of vehicles on display, but also for the excellent backdrops provided by the military buildings on site, that although are not the most pretty of architectural styles, they do have character in abundance.

Unfortunately the rain fell for most of the day, but it didn't deter the hardiest of classic car owners from coming out to play. Marching soldiers, military vehicles and good old English cars.

Not sure how big a puddle of water was in the footwell of this Austin 7 when the owner returned after leaving it out in the rain!

Classics were lurking in all sorts of hiding places.

A rather racy looking Alfa, caught many an eye.

Big, British and Brutal. What more do you want?

Small but perfectly formed.

Charm personified, sometimes it isn't the fastest, shiniest or most exotic car that appeals the most, as these two prove.

Just imagine how much polishing this amount of chrome will need when the rain dries!

Lovely to see some immaculate American muscle brought out to play.

Probably not the easiest vehicle to find space for in a Multi Storey Car Park.

A unique number plate for a very rare car.

I presume we can call the graphics on this bus, go faster stripes.

The military were out in force too, along with the mobile cinema.

The good old work horse of many an army.

Obviously arrived too late to be in the dry enclosed garage!

I'm sure a drop of rain won't worry this tough piece of machinery.

Whilst some cars look good all polished up, old Land Rovers are so much better with the 'lived in' look.

The important military tactic of consuming cups of tea!

There is a place for everything.

No sign of Rodney or DelBoy.

Large scale motoring.

Lovely graffiti inside one of the unrestored hangers, and found a baby Austin in there as a bonus.

A trip to Bicester wouldn't be complete without a photo of an interesting part of the historic buildings there. There is so much to look at on the site, with a new discovery around every corner.

Despite the wet weather it was, once again, a very enjoyable day out, with special thanks to all those that made it happen on such a grim day.

New Years Day, means only one thing, a trip to Brooklands Museum for their annual gathering. Although no sign of any frost or ice, the day was deceptively cold, but luckily remained dry until late in the afternoon. It is a great way to start the year off, and there is always a fine varied selection of interesting machinery to look at and enjoy.

With over 1500 vehicles coming onto the site to park up, a queue of interesting, and sometimes breathtaking  cars snaked their way onto the site.

Suitably attired but I would imagine an open topped car on January 1st, is a rather chilly way of travelling.

The historic banking was packed with cars, as was the whole site.

That's one use for some leftover Christmas Tinsel.

A rather festive mascot, hanging on for the ride.

Simply stunning. The beauty of a gathering such as this at Brooklands, is that you have to explore every corner of the site as you never know what may be hiding such as this gorgeous 275GTB.

One of the louder cars on show, both visually and audibly.

Proper go faster paintjob!

Great to see some serious modified kit on show.

A more traditional offering for a very traditional venue.

Anglias at a jaunty angle!

Would imagine speed bumps are a bit of a problem with this.

It may be small but it is perfectly formed.

A rather pristine Alfa in among the planes.

Could be from a bygone era, couldn't it?

The more industrial end of town, but a charming setting none the less.

May be a bit scruffy, but still oozes class and sophistication by the bucketload

Immaculate early Porsche on the banking.......

And the very latest supercar from them, in a rather understated shade of grey.

Bit of commercial metal.

I do believe you would call this patinated.

With or without the fancy paint designs, you can't help but smile when you see this can you?

Camper vans were all the rage this year.

Always a joy to climb to the top of the hill when the Brooklands Motor Company opens its doors.

Breathtaking display of classics on show in here, something for every taste.

How can you not just stare and enjoy the view?

Another great day out, many thanks to all those that worked to make it happen. A fantastic way to start the new motoring year, one of the few places where you will see an Austin Allegro and a Ferrari 275 GTB on display at the same time, and strangely it was some of the more 'affordable' classics that were getting all the attention. Make sure to put the date in your diary for next year.