Nestled in the Cotswold countryside near Cheltenham, Prescott Hill Climb is a fantastic venue for anyone who enjoys motorsport, classic cars and the atmosphere that comes with a day.
The venue is home to the famous Prescott Hill Climb course, where drivers take on the challenge of completing the course as quickly as possible. Unlike a traditional racing circuit, hill climbing is all about the run against the clock, making every corner and every fraction of a second count.
For a photographer, it also makes for a brilliant day out. There is plenty to see both on and off the course, from the cars being prepared in the paddock to the action as they attack the hill.
Prescott Hill Climb
Prescott is set in a beautiful part of the Cotswolds, giving the event a very different atmosphere from some of the larger motorsport circuits around the UK.
The course itself is around 1,127 yards long and climbs more than 200 feet through a mixture of fast and slower corners before reaching the famous hairpin. It might not be the longest piece of tarmac in motorsport, but it certainly packs plenty into its length.
One of the things that makes Prescott special is how close you can get to the action. There are several places around the venue where spectators can watch the cars making their runs, while the paddock provides an opportunity to get much closer to the cars and see the work that goes into preparing them.
The atmosphere around the paddock is a big part of the experience. Engines starting up, cars being worked on and spectators moving between the paddock and the course all add to the feeling that you're right in the middle of the event rather than simply watching from a grandstand.
A Photographer's View
For me, events like Steeleford Hill Climb are about much more than simply photographing cars going past.
The paddock gives you the opportunity to capture the details that can easily be missed during the racing — everything from the styling and engineering of the cars to the small details that show their character.
Then, once the cars head onto the course, everything changes. The challenge is capturing the speed and movement of the cars while still showing the character of the venue.
That combination of static detail shots and fast-paced action is what makes hill climbs so enjoyable to photograph.
The Cars
One of the highlights of the event was the variety of cars on display. Prescott attracts a real mixture of machinery, meaning you never quite know what is going to appear next.
From historic and classic cars through to more modern performance machinery, there was plenty to keep the camera busy throughout the day.
I'll be adding some of my favourite photographs from the event below, giving you a chance to see the moments that caught my attention during the day.
Final Thoughts
Steeleford Hill Climb was another great day of motorsport photography and a chance to experience one of the UK's most distinctive hill climb venues.
Prescott has a completely different feel to a large racing circuit. The compact layout, countryside setting, paddock atmosphere and close proximity to the action make it a really enjoyable place to spend a day with a camera.
For anyone who enjoys cars, motorsport or photography, it's definitely a venue worth experiencing.
