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The first event of the year is always special. It is like you are lost in the desert and see the first glimpse of an oasis. With the automotive season coming to a close at the beginning of winter, the only glimmer of hope is the first event one plans on attending. That was true to a large number of enthusiasts here in England who were looking forward to attending the January Bicester Scramble on the 5th of January or the first Sunday of the year. But it all came crashing on the day before when weather warnings were issued and snow fell across the country overnight. Most of the UK rarely gets snow and it is not mandatory to have snow tyres fitted here. Now the question was, will the event go ahead, if so, will people actually make it? I kept an eye on the Scramble social media as I spent the night making snowballs and throwing them at my family members. All hope was not lost when at around midnight, I peaked out of my window and saw that it had stopped snowing and was raining. Yay! That was a welcome sight.
The next day, I got up very early, put on half a dozen layers of clothing and stepped out the door. I can’t give up on the first event of the year. Got myself a hot chocolate, turned on the heated seats and slid my way through snow and slush towards Bicester. I get off the motorway and drive through Bicester town centre heading towards the airfield that houses Bicester Motion. Seeing all the snow and slush still on the road, I realised it would be a quieter scramble.
But the enthusiasts proved me wrong. They proved me wrong by a lot!! Standing at the entrance of Bicester chatting to friends and acquaintances, I couldn't believe my eyes. Car after car turned up. Every single car had smiling occupants all cheerful looking forward to meeting fellow enthusiasts. Seeing their faces and enthusiasm, you wouldn’t be mistaken to assume we were in the middle of summer. It was as if we were all hypnotised, hypnotised with our love of cars and car culture. There was something for everyone. The Subaru owners used the day to their full advantage and I think I have not seen so many Subarus at a scramble before. People in old Land Rovers couldn't be happier. My favourite was the ex-fire brigade series 2 Land Rover recently bought by a very talented young photographer. He was in his element out here in the rain and snow. Then on the other end, supercars turned up in hoards. My friend from Supercar Drivers club was a bit worried in the morning when I saw him first and he was beaming ear to ear when I saw him next standing to next over 30 supercars like Ferraris. Lamborghinis, Porsche and Mclarens.
Petrolheads are at times at the risk of being classed as odd and non-petrolheads will not understand our love for these machines. At the end of the day they are just a heap of metal, but the affection we have for that metal heap is difficult to put into words. The car community has always been very special. It has always been welcoming to any and all types. There isn’t a car that is not appreciated. I had a friend drool over a Suzuki Whizzkid and I still don’t understand why but his passion for the car was contagious.
With the dawn of 2025 and us getting closer to the ban of ICE engines looming, days like these makes it all worthwhile. I was drenched by the end of the day, my boots were wet, my pants were dirty, I was soaked in rain but the few hours I spent with fellow car nerds was the best start I could have asked for 2025.
Photos, Video and words by Jathu Thillai (https://www.instagram.com/jathuthillai/) for Car Chronicles
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