We kicked off the British classic car season once again this year with Drive it Day, Sunday 23rd April. This was repeat of the event we organised in 2022. Once again we had a good number of the Mini Clan in attendance for the run, along with three cars from the Scottish Branch of the MMOC and a few individual non-club entries. Thank you to everyone that took part.

We’ve put together a short video below, using footage drawn from a variety of sources. Thank you to everyone that did some filming.

In all around twenty vehicles took part in the convoy from Newton Mearns to Prestwick. The journey lasted around one hour and we are pleased to report no breakdowns. We were even joined en-route by a 1946 Morris Eight Series E, which reportedly reached an impressive speed of 55mph on the bypass between Irvine and Prestwick.

The classic car community is well known for charity fundraising. Rally plaques were on a good number of the vehicles taking part, with all profits from their sale going to NSPCC Childline. At Prestwick Beach most of them also had Childline flyers displayed on a window to allow members of the public the opportunity to donate to this worthwhile children’s charity.

We extend our thanks to Ayrshire Roads Alliance for sectioning off a car park for our exclusive use on the day. This allowed the public to wander around the beautiful historic vehicles on display, along with the owners. The marques on display included Morris (naturally!), Austin, Rover, MG, Riley, Sunbeam, Triumph, Volkswagen and Ford. Much advice was exchanged back and forward throughout the afternoon, which thankfully remained dry.

We are quite certain that Mancini’s Cafe, who got in on the act nicely with a beautiful little classic FIAT 500, did a brisk trade as a result of everyone’s attendance!

A gallery of photographs from the day is shown below. Sincere thanks to Malcolm Yates for supplying these images.

_{Notes for editors:}

_{National Drive It Day was created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005.  It is the occasion when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the new invention, the motor vehicle. It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping transport heritage on UK roads.} 

_{FBHVC will continue to support the NSPCC’s Childline®  to raise money as an integrated part of Drive it Day in order to use our movement to contribute to a section of society that has needed huge help and support during the pandemic – vulnerable children. Lockdown has magnified all sorts of societal problems and the long days and weeks trapped in broken homes or abusive environments have put vulnerable children even more at risk.} 

_{For further information please visit the FBHVC website.}