A bit of a critical update on PWP. All of you who have entered should have received this news this morning, but in the interest of spreading it as widely as possible, here's what went out this morning:
Since Pre-War Prescott 2019, much has changed over the past two years. We all know about Covid, which caused the cancellation of Pre-War Prescott 2020 (and much else!) and it will impact Pre-War Prescott 2021 – as detailed below.
In addition, since PWP 2019, MSUK has introduced new regulations governing the sport. These are impacting Prescott and the Bugatti Owners’ Club, and in turn, Pre-War Prescott.
Further details will be circulated in a couple of days, but here are the key points for you to start absorbing:
• ALL entrants (i.e. all those parking their pre-war cars in the Paddock, and whether climbing the hill or not) and their passengers over the age of 18 will require an MSUK Clubman license (or higher ranked license).
• ALL those arriving at the gate on the day – entrants and their passengers, spectators, traders and displayers - will have to pre-register online before the day and their pre-registration will be checked against a list held by the gate marshals. Those not pre-registered will regretfully have to be turned away.
These two requirements mean that it will no longer be possible to simply turn up on the day and pay at the gate to enter and climb the hill, so anyone wishing to enter MUST do so in advance. And for this year, because of the Covid track-and-trace requirements, THIS ALSO INCUDES ALL SPECTATORS. So, if you are planning to come along on the day – even just to spectate, you should put in an entry form ASAP and you will have to pre-register using the BOC system that will go live shortly. Spectators do NOT need a MSUK license, but you might well want to obtain one anyway, just in case you get offered a ride up the hill, or if you are lucky enough to win a ride up the hill in the raffle!
Hopefully, the track-and-trace restrictions will be eased by July and long gone by next year. But for now, it would be safer to assume that track-and-trace will still be in effect for PWP 2021, and the Clubman license and pre-registration requirements for entrants are here to stay.
To obtain a MSUK Clubman license, go to:
https://www.motorsportuk.org/competitor ... n-licence/
and apply online. It is very simple, quick and free. When your license is e-mailed to you moments later, simply print it out and bring it with you on the day.
The above raises all sorts of questions which I am currently taking up with the BOC. I will be circulating a comprehensive update on all of this as soon as I have all the answers. One big question relates to those turning up early on the day (traders, volunteer marshals, and even campers arriving the day before, etc. I will include the answer in the update.
I am told that I will have access to the ‘back end’ of the BOC pre-registration system so I will be able to see all those who have pre-registered. I will then cross-check this list with the entry list so I can chase up any who have not yet registered. Clearly, this is going to be an enormous overhead, so I would really appreciate if everyone could sort out their licenses and jump onto the pre-registration link as soon as possible when it goes live in a few days. Please look out for the next e-mail update.
A further note on spectators. Right now, the Bugatti Owner’s Club is in constant contact with Tewkesbury Borough Council who are driving the spectator restrictions in accordance with the national lockdown rules. As of today, up to 250 spectators are being permitted to attend Prescott events. This number may be increased by July, so I don’t think we will have a problem with permitted numbers, even at the 250 level.
And a note on obtaining your MSUK Clubman license if you not resident in the UK. Right now, the online form only accepts UK addresses and mobile phone numbers. I spoke to MSUK this morning about this and they told me that a hotel address/phone number or similar is fine. So just use your accommodation details. And they did tell me that they will update the form for next year to include free text fields, so that any address/phone number can be inserted. If you have any problem at all in completing the online application, call the membership staff on +44 (0)1753 765050 or e-mail them at
membership@motorsportuk.org.
So here’s what to expect on the day. At the gate, you will show your entry ticket as usual, but you will also need to be checked off against the pre-registration list, and also show your MSUK Clubman license if you are a pre-war car entrant or a passenger aged 18 or over in the car. Then, before climbing the hill, you will need to attend one of the periodic BOC safety briefings to obtain your wristband which permits you access to the start line. This applies to both drivers and all passengers, and it exactly the same system the BOC has always operated. However, the small difference this time is that there will be no paper indemnity form to complete and hand in, because you will have provided all the information on it when you pre-registered online. But if you are a driver or passenger 18 or over, you will have to show your MSUK Clubman license. And that is it!
That is about all I can tell you at this point. The good news is that obtaining a MSUK license is quick, simple and free, and I believe the BOC pre-registration process will be equally straightforward. But I want to make sure that NOBODY turns up on the day and has to be turned away. By sorting all this out in advance, we can all look forward to a relaxing and enjoyable Pre-War Prescott as always!