VSCCA 2010 Events by Shaun Henderson - AKA - OldGeezerRacing
One of the best getting better is really the only way to describe Hunnewell 2010.
Perhaps because it was the 40th anniversary of the hillclimb or perhaps because the forecast was perfect,
whatever the reason it was all around a great weekend. You know that has to be true if I'm saying
it having completed the rally in the Volvo with the Brescia on the trailer.
We certainly had the best and most diverse turnout to appear on the hill in years: from Hal Filinger
in the 1912 Mercedes to Steve Silverstein in a Hillman Minx. Yes, that's right a Hillman Minx.
We turned out seven Bugattis, 6 MG's, and a handful of Bentleys. It's nice to see the BMW 327/8's coming back
to the hill with Don Guertin and Herb Tobin making apperances.
Our day commenced as usual with a rigourous tech inspection and lengthy driver's meeting under the trees
by the pool. The introduction of the saloon class added some confusion as Hunnewell doesn't often see cars
with roofs and four doors, but it was good to see Alex Dearborn back on the hill in his MB 190. Squeaking
through the tech was Peter Charlap who once again maintained that the drive from west to east across the
state of Massachusetts was proof that the Type 30 was safe.
As usual it was a good day for the ARCA cars of Messrs.
Bragg, Ellsworth and Leith placing in the top 5. Beyond that we aren't really interested in the times as much
as we are the picnic which was consumed at a more leisurely pace than the morning runs, again by the pool.
We all resisted the temptation of an afternoon nap and descended for a few more afternoon attempts.
Sunday morning revealed itself to be another perfect spring day prompting a good number of people to come along on
"Ben and Carol's Mystery Tour". We gathered at the gates to the Hunnewell estate to collect our instructions.
The first step was something many of us have wanted to but never done: go up the access road we use to come down between runs.
This road has some very nice tight bends and it was good fun to try.
The finish line had become the start and we set off at 1-minute intervals.
Having been told that a navigator would be required, Sandy Leith had agreed to
join me in the Brescia. Having received our directions from Carol, we set off and
were soon following the Urban MG-P Special which was a lovely site. Shortly thereafter,
ominous noises could be heard from the engine and a stop was dictated. Fortunately we had only
just begun and shortly a certain aforementioned Hillman Minx arrived to provide transportation back to the tow-rig.
Despite the comments some might make, a Minx is capable of transporting three grown men up
and down hills in comfort. One advantage of a Brescia Bugatti is that pushing it on a trailer
is the easiest of feats and we were soon underway again, albeit with a different soundtrack.
Ben and Carol outdid themselves this year with a rally that was entertaining, scenic and took us over some fantastic roads. Many of us thought we knew the area around Wellesley but little did we know the country side that lurks. They even managed to combine a rally quiz with a poker game before we arrived at Don Law's beautiful farm house for lunch.
After lunch Jason kindly let me take his MG for a spin. We went off in search of his camera which had been
left at the previous stop. Despite my innate preference for vehicles with a red oval up front, this one with
the octagon went great and sounded just as good as be came through Needham. A great end to an even better weekend.
as told in Victory Lane - http://www.victorylane.com/ 
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