3rd week of our journey – Prescott Hill Climb School

This week has been full of adrenaline. It has been a while since I felt my blood boiling, but I needed this thrill as much as I need air to breathe.

I visited Prescott for the first time, home of the Bugatti Owners Club, where I watched many drivers competing against themselves. The race is called Hill Climb, and what I found interesting is that you are welcome to race any car—old, new, stock, tuned, your mum’s car, or one you built yourself from scratch. Every car is welcome in the race, as long as you have the guts to participate.

Competitors are given two practice runs before the competition starts, and after lunch, they have two competitive runs, with the best time counting toward the final results.

What you should know about me is that if there’s an adrenaline rush, I will find it; if there’s an anxiety attack, I’ll experience it!

Of course, the black tag beauties didn’t miss this competition. The cherry on top was on the Bugatti terrace, where the older generation waited patiently to show the modern drivers how racing is done. The owners were more than happy to answer any questions you might have about these incredible pieces of history. It is a big, welcoming family, and I encourage you to be part of such an event. You’ll meet many interesting people and learn new things—just like I did.

If you’re looking for an exhilarating driving experience, Prescott is the place to be. At Prescott, you can master the technical aspects of the hill, including its twists and turns, all under the guidance of renowned racing drivers who will serve as your instructors. They’re hosting the Prescott Hill Climb School, perfect for enthusiasts eager for an exciting, challenging, and unforgettable day, no matter your driving skill level. All you need is a road-legal car and a driving license to experience the thrill that professional racers enjoy. Doesn’t that sound enticing?

The allure was too strong for me to resist, so the very next day, I found myself in the garage with my BMW E46. We conducted a compression test on my M50B25 engine, and I felt like a doctor, just as my father always wanted me to be! We ensured the engine was in prime condition for action and completed all necessary servicing.

Now, guess where I was the next day? If you said “Prescott,” you’re right. Before I realized what was happening, I found myself at the Hill Climb School in my daily 2005 BMW E46—nervous but ready to learn more about my car.

Everyoane  was so nice and welcoming, offering the best advice on driving techniques. After the briefing, we went for a walk on the hill. It was funny how just a few days prior, I had been admiring professional drivers tackling the hill, and now I had the opportunity to experience a bit of what they felt.

After our walk, an instructor took me up the hill in a Mini Cooper. I could observe when he braked, accelerated, and steered. Everything happened so quickly and seemed so natural for him, but it was an amazing experience that proved to be very useful.

My first run was incredible; I felt a mix of emotions that are hard to describe—all positive. I felt like I was one step closer to my dream. I had plenty of runs throughout the day, and during the lunch break, the instructors reviewed our recorded runs with us, highlighting areas for improvement. They also rode along with me as passengers on the hill, and their feedback really encouraged me and boosted my confidence. Of course, I deactivated my traction control, and the instructors seemed really pleased with my run. What fantastic people!

I honestly believe this experience was one of the best I’ve ever had—adrenaline, fun, learning, meeting great people, and enjoying a nice lunch; it was a perfect day.

Because my mentor was very proud of my performance at the Hill Climb School, the next day, he took me to a Garden Party, again at Prescott, in a stunning 1965 Ferrari 275GTB, worth over three million pounds. I was speechless! I couldn’t believe that just three weeks ago we had started this journey without even knowing such beauties existed, and now I was sitting in such an incredible car. That V12 engine had an amazing sound! I tried to dress in a way that suited the era of this fantastic machine and wore a cute polka dot dress.

At Prescott, there are so many events to choose from, and there’s also The Bugatti Trust. An incredibly knowledgeable lady there told me about the history of these timeless treasures. For a petrolhead, it truly is the place to be—simply amazing.

I would love to hear your thoughts about this week! As usual, I’ll see you in the Community Group. Take care!