KIDS SCRAMBLE TO BICESTER

In the hundreds of classic cars converging on Bicester Heritage in January, record numbers of young enthusiasts set the tone for the hobby and industry alike

- AARON MCKAY

If the owners of pre-war open tourers sometimes doubt the hardiness of more modern car drivers, the increasing popularity of winter gatherings for all types of eclectic classics can be proof that enthusiasts are determined to show up and be part of something all year round. The Scramble at Bicester Heritage on 8 January was a perfect example of the trend: quickly filling to capacity with far less of the usual hushed shuffling around cars as dawn broke over Oxfordshire and sun softly graced the former RAF airfield's historic WW2-era brick buildings.

Some 7000 people attended, setting a January record, including a notable 1000-plus under-15-yearolds and, by mid-morning, both the Technical Site grounds and airfield were packed with pre-'90s classics. The centrepiece of the day was a curated collection of 'winter wagons' arranged outside the 1771 clubhouse.