Longstone Long Car Race: Winning means losing

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Anyone who believes that every race is about crossing the finish line first clearly hasn't experienced the VSCC Long Car Race. On 15 August, this wonderfully eccentric event returns to Mallory Park, once again supported by Longstone Tyres, and its rules are, to say the least, highly unconventional.

In fact, the first three cars across the finish line are immediately disqualified.

The real winners? The competitors finishing fourth, fifth and sixth. Their prize is not a gleaming trophy, but an opened magnum of champagne – the other half having already been enjoyed by fellow competitors, marshals and any passing journalists during the traditional post-race gathering in the pit lane. Wonderfully British, with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour.

As if that weren't enough, there are also two concours awards: one for the longest car and one for the tallest. The prize? Another half-empty magnum of champagne.

The entry list is every bit as entertaining as the regulations. The organisers welcome almost anything that is large, classic and built to cover long distances in comfort. Veteran, Edwardian and Vintage tourers are all eligible, as are more leisurely cars from the 1930s. A two-seater with a dickey seat? Absolutely welcome.

Even the provisional entry list is enough to raise a smile. Where else today are you likely to see a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost racing around a circuit? Better still, where else will you see it competing against a Rolls-Royce Twenty? Joining them on the grid are a Chrysler 77 Roadster, Delage DIS, Vauxhall 23-60, Ballot 2 Litres, Lea-Francis Cross & Ellis, Vauxhall E Type, Alvis 12/50 and a Lagonda 2 Litre L/C Tourer.

The current entry list is not yet complete, so if you own a car that seems entirely unsuited to a racing circuit, enter now. And if you don't, come along and watch. We suspect you'll leave secretly wishing you had taken part yourself.

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