Mini Fest at Prescott on 14th May 2022

[hanlminiman]

Last years event was subject to Covid restrictions but it looks like this year will be better. Check out the Prescott Hill Climb website for more information. 119 competitive slots plus I think "pay to run the hill" but will check as I understood it would be included in the permit. Same weekend as Beaulieu Autojumble and London to Brighton. "Club" tickets available at a discount. See you there?

[mk1]

After them cancelling my entry the day before it was due to happen last year & spending weeks before they refunded me, this is not one I'll be bothering with this year.

[Pete]

I just want to make it clear that after the way I was spoken to last year that this event has nothing to do with me. Yes Prescott have taken MY idea that I approached them with and they’ve run off with it but that was to be expected I suppose considering how many entries we brought them last year. I did intend to run my own this year at another venue but my recent circumstances prevented this. I hope to put that right in 2023.

[hanlminiman]

I am sorry you both feel the way you do about the 2021 event. You are not the only ones! Ask Tim H and Derek W whose cars did not pass scrutineering on the day.
As a local I know how difficult it was for the Management to run a "near normal" event due to local "Council" restrictions and also a very close watch on the way they ran events by MSUK officials.
I hope that the event will be successful this year and supported in full by Mini competitors and also local Mini enthusiasts for club stands.
It is also unfortunate that it clashes with the Beaulieu Autojumble and the London to Brighton Run but I think that will be repeated every weekend in 2022.

[Julian Harber]

I am very Local to Prescott and definately will not be entering this year - I encourage several mini pals to join me at the event last year and I was totally embarrassed by the poor organisation and way people were treated, then to add further insult the whole event for us paying competitors was held up so a film crew session could swan in without any PPE when the mini crowd were being repremanded and told they may be ejected - some karma was about when one mini person having been told-off pointed out that their senior club official had been walking about all day without any PPE and someone had to have a word with him. The Commentary was a shambles sounded like a local drunk had got hold of the mike. This cannot be excussed by saying Covid was the cause - this is one of the best venues in the country it just needs to be properly run

[Exminiman]

Shame to hear the feedback, its such a beautiful venue with some decent facilities...was thinking of going, not so sure now

[hanlminiman]

Is the event a total non starter for competitive members of this forum? If it is I feel very sad. Even the Mini Cooper Register failed to promote it.
Too many events chasing dates. Sigh.
I am going to the Footman James breakfast meeting tomorrow morning at Prescott and will make enquiries to provide an update. Not everyone wants to go to Brighton.

[Exminiman]

I am sorry you both feel the way you do about the 2021 event. You are not the only ones! Ask Tim H and Derek W whose cars did not pass scrutineering on the day.

Slight tangent, just wondered why they didn`t pass scrutineering, were they being especially fussy in any area ie noise ?

[Old English White]

I didn't go last year and sadly cannot make it this year but what a shame Prescott made a hash of last years event. Some of my best motoring memories over more than 50 years are of events at Prescott. A great hill and a beautiful venue as others have also said. Let us hope that a Mini event there does become a decent event one way or another. Sadly, Prescott don't seem to get the support they deserve from neighbours and the local Council

[hanlminiman]

Roll cage issues with Biota & GTM with a scrutineer ! The GTM has a roll cage and taken part in many events - Race Retro/Rallying History & competitions. Including one in Spain!
There did not appear to be any Prescott personnel in the office on Sunday so no update as yet other than Sponsored by Cotswold Cheltenham MINI with stunt show!
An update re neighbours as it appears it is getting better as they are investigating increasing the number of days the climb can be used.

[Lakeland997]

I'm booked in again with the Rally car.
Sorry to hear about the challenges some of you had last year.
I had no issues (other than the rain) and really enjoyed the day.

The "drunk" commentator was the club chairman who stepped in at the very last minute bless him.
He knew literally nothing about Minis except that there was once one called the 'Ritz' and he has lunch there when he's in London.
He was a genuinely nice chap though and tried his best (pretty unsuccessfully) to remember and regurgitate the information I fed him with.
You've got to bear in mind these guys are Bugatti owners and live in a different world to most of us.

Nice facilities, great track, I'm happy to be going back.

Andy

[hanlminiman]

Andy
Thanks for your response.
A good comment re quality of commentator which I have taken on board and will mention to the "Officials of the club." Have they asked for commentator sheets with your entry?
Shelsley Walsh were "trialing/training" younger commentators last year and I witnessed them being shown around various marshal posts.
Cliff

[Lakeland997]

Have they asked for commentator sheets with your entry?

Cliff

Not yet Cliff although I’ve only submitted the minimum information at the moment and not yet signed on.
Sounds like a good idea though.
The usual commentator at Prescott (on videos I’ve watched) I thought was really good.

Andy

[Tim Harber]

I had a bit of a mixed day (see later comments and pics from others) but it was a super sunny day , atmosphere not all bad except started off bad as the bar/food advertised opening at 4.30 on Friday did'nt open at all so were denied a nice quiet old mans chat. The organisation was ok but not wonderful

However I did get to talk to the boss after my little episode and expressed my concerns . She is keen to patch things up and expand it hugely which would be nice as its such a good central location and a brilliant hill

We had Bill Sollis and co there so I hope he can spread the good word

I will try to help the cause but I appreciate there are lots of cross and fed-up folk still festering after last year

Onwards and.....

[hanlminiman]

Hi Tim
It appears you are home safely. Good to catch up with you again today and be part of the team. No publicity photos from me as I did not take any but I am sure many were taken. I did not.
Best wishes. Catch up again soon.
Cliff

[jbz23]

I went today Tim

never been before but really enjoyed my day , great venue and great to catch up with a few faces I haven't seen for some time , definitely fuelled my racing bug back

sorry to see your little tumble I hope your well

best wishes

jabez

[Lakeland997]

I had a bit of a mixed day (see later comments and pics from others)

Onwards and.....

Bad luck Tim. You were obviously committed.
This image from yesterday by Capture Your Car Photography perhaps emphasises how unsettling that corner is.
Also some in-car here: https://youtu.be/p6sJwzieJCY

[hanlminiman]

Hi Andy
Photo of you just after the wheel cocking "Pardon" - hairpin left. Cocking wheels are very common there.
Cliff

[Pete]

I will try to help the cause but I appreciate there are lots of cross and fed-up folk still festering after last year

Onwards and.....

I see absolutely no real merit in festering, I’ve already said my bit about last year. My idea to do a Mini Fest at a Prescott I still think is a winner in theory, it just needs running properly. Looking at this year I think they suffered from a lack of promotion. It should have been packed! It’s a great venue, challenging hill, looked perfect weather this year, it really should work. I’m sure most of the defectors will be back, I’d love to do Prescott, still haven’t competed there!

[Richspec]

looked fairly quiet on the youtube footage i've seen.