Vintage Sports Car Club Returns to Shelsley Walsh for Historic Hill Climb 2026
Report by Jeff Silver Photography
6 July 2026
Vintage Racing Meets History at Shelsley Walsh
The Vintage Sports Car Club returned to the historic slopes of Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb on 5 July 2026. The VSCC event showcased a wonderful blend of motorsport heritage, engineering excellence and close competition. Bathed in glorious summer sunshine, the world’s oldest motorsport venue still using its original course. It once again echoed to the unmistakable sounds of vintage racing machinery tackling one of Britain’s most famous hills.
Shelsley Walsh has challenged drivers since 1905, and few corners have earned the respect of competitors quite like Crossing. The late Sir Stirling Moss, who raced the hill as a young man, famously described it as “one of the most difficult corners in the world” because of the split-second decision every driver must make: do you keep the throttle pinned or lift slightly?
More than half a century later, that question still confronts every competitor. Judging by the commitment on display throughout the day, very few were prepared to back off.
A major feature of the day was the celebration of the Frazer Nash Car Club and its enduring connection with Shelsley Walsh. The story stretches back over a century to 1920, when Archie Frazer-Nash first brought a GN to the Worcestershire hillside. He returned the following year with the famous Kim II, a car that made an emotional return exactly 105 years later, now driven by Jonathan Roae.
Watching the same machine tackle the same ribbon of tarmac more than a century on was a reminder of just how unique Shelsley Walsh is in preserving motorsport’s living history.
Frazer Nash Heritage and Chain-Driven Specials
The paddock was equally rich in character, particularly during the lunch break when The Chain Gang assembled their remarkable chain-driven specials for photographs. Nicknamed for their distinctive transmission systems, the trio included Winton Teague’s Wasp, Jim Edwards’ Spider and John Wiseman’s Gnat.
The gathering attracted plenty of attention from spectators, providing a rare opportunity to see these fascinating pioneers of British engineering side by side.
On the hill itself, there was no shortage of spirited competition. Jon Giles produced an entertaining performance aboard the Frazer Nash TT, balancing speed with the precision demanded by Shelsley’s unforgiving layout. Charles Reynolds showcased the beautifully presented Cooper Mk.X, whose nimble handling and period charm made it perfectly suited to the famous hill.
As always, the Vintage Sports Car Club meeting demonstrated why Shelsley Walsh remains one of the jewels of British motorsport. From Edwardian chain-driven specials to iconic Frazer Nash machines and early Coopers, every run up the hill celebrated the innovation, courage and determination of generations of competitors.
A Living Celebration of Historic Motorsport
More than 120 years after the first cars tackled the course, the combination of rich history, iconic machinery and committed drivers continues to make a day at Shelsley Walsh one of the finest experiences in historic motorsport. Whether watching century-old racing cars attack the hill or exploring a paddock filled with engineering masterpieces, visitors were treated to a unique celebration of Britain’s enduring motorsport heritage.
The Vintage Sports Car Club at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb meeting once again proved that Shelsley Walsh is far more than a race venue—it is a living museum where history continues to be written with every climb.
