Bicester Heritage hosted its final Women in Motoring initiative of 2018 on December 1, with the Vintage Sports Car Club Winter Driving Tests providing the perfect opportunity for female enthusiasts to experience vintage motoring on the Oxfordshire venue’s test circuit.
Ten women enjoyed the chance to drive and to navigate, before finishing the afternoon with timed tests. The participants had a range of experience behind the wheel but none had competed in driving tests in a vintage car prior to the event. VSCC members Mark Elder, Harry Fraser, Gilly Howard-Orchard, Guy Lachlan and Emily Fraser kindly loaned five pre-War vehicles ranging from a 1910 Overland to 1937 Riley 12/4, allowing participants to experience a range of vehicles and the idiosyncrasies of each one.
Gilly Howard-Orchard, proud owner of the 1928 Austin Chummy used in the event, was full of praise for the initiative, adding: “It was a huge pleasure to be part of the day and to see everyone being so hugely enthusiastic and loving being at the wheel of a vintage car for the first time. All grasped the idiosyncrasies of vintage driving in no time.”
The day proved to be a memorable occasion, with many new converts to the world of vintage motoring. Buoyed by the success, Bicester Heritage is already planning similar events to start in the spring.
