LEARNING CURVES
Octane|June 2023
Like the idea of motor racing but unsure how to start? Try entering the Vintage Sports-Car Club's Pomeroy Trophy, 
Mark Dixon 
LEARNING CURVES

'Congratulations! You are now a racing driver.

From the wry smile on the instructor's face, I suspect that this isn't the first time that he's delivered that line and that he doesn't believe it any more than I do. But, crucially, I've just passed the Association of Racing Drivers' Schools (ARDS) test, and that means I'm now officially entitled to a UK race licence.

Which is good news, because in three weeks' time I'll be taking part in my first-ever competitive track event. I've done lots of historic rallying in my time and I've done some spirited track driving, but I've never taken part in an actual race. Strictly speaking, I'm not about to, either: the Vintage Sports-Car Club's annual Pomeroy Trophy is not a race per se but a speed event, conducted under race regulations. While you're on track with a load of other cars, the only person you're competing against is yourself.

You can enter The Pom, as it's universally known, in pretty much anything. Editor James Elliott did it years ago in his 2.5-litre Mk1 Triumph 2000; I'm about to have a go in a 1929 Frazer Nash Super Sports. The reason that a car of any age or type can be competitive is that results are decided by a complex handicapping formula, inspired by ones first published in Laurence Pomeroy Jr's The Grand Prix Car 1906-1939. It's subsequently been refined to make The Pom more road-car friendly, so that the ability to carry luggage and have reasonable comfort (such as a hood, for an open car) is as important as performance.

Attempting to understand this formula is beyond mere mortals but it clearly works, because The Pom is one of the VSCC's most popular events. It's been held most years since its first staging in 1952 and the winner is awarded the actual Pomeroy Trophy, which is a fine model of the 1914 Vauxhall Grand Prix car designed by Pomeroy Jr's father, the great Laurence H Pomeroy Sr.

Bu hikaye Octane dergisinin June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Octane dergisinin June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

OCTANE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically
Octane

Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically

China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.

time-read
5 dak  |
September 2024
Jem Marsh
Octane

Jem Marsh

The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully

time-read
3 dak  |
October 2024
Vandamm House
Octane

Vandamm House

A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing

time-read
3 dak  |
October 2024
Making light
Octane

Making light

Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers

time-read
7 dak  |
October 2024
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Octane

FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE

Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates

time-read
5 dak  |
October 2024
Before the beginning
Octane

Before the beginning

This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration

time-read
9 dak  |
October 2024
Ben Cussons
Octane

Ben Cussons

As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution

time-read
7 dak  |
October 2024
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
Octane

BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES

We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them

time-read
10+ dak  |
October 2024
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
Octane

Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg

As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it

time-read
5 dak  |
October 2024
Flying the Scottish flag
Octane

Flying the Scottish flag

Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness

time-read
7 dak  |
October 2024