There’s something deeply satisfying about waking up early, turning the key on a vintage straight-four, and knowing the day ahead involves great roads, great cars, and great people. Classics at Prescott 2025 delivered all of that and more. This was a weekend of proper driving, picturesque scenery, and giving my 1975 BMW 2002tii the chance to do what it does best.
Saturday — Touring Through the Cotswolds
I left London at 7:15 a.m., heading west on the M40 and A40. The roads were clear, the sun was out, and the 02 was in its element. By 9:30 I arrived at Ye Olde Hobnails pub in Gloucestershire, already buzzing with early arrivals. Bugattis, a Rennsport 911, MGB GTs, and a smattering of Astons made for a pretty special car park.
At 10:30, our Cotswolds tour got underway. The tour took us through Kemerton, Eckington, Broadway, Honeybourne, Mickleton, Blockley, Winchcombe and Prescott of course. The first leg took us to a village hall for coffee.
The roads leading there were everything you want for a classic BMW, quiet, flowing, full of character. With its rebuilt suspension and light chassis, the 02 felt totally alive.
Lunch was in Broadway. Otis & Belle delivered proper pastries and good coffee, and we lucked into a church fête on the green. It was busy sight.
After lunch we rolled through Honeybourne and Chipping Campden on some of the best driving roads of the day. A wrong turn near Aston Subedge dropped us onto a dusty, rally-style back lane. Not ideal for the open-top MG behind me, but the 02 took it in stride. The LSD and tight steering geometry made short work of it. We rejoined the main route and cruised to The Beckford Inn to end the day.
Sunday — Hillclimb at Prescott
Prescott is a beautiful venue but also a serious hillclimb. It’s tighter than it looks and rewards precision over power. I arrived early enough to avoid the queue, grabbed a coffee and pastry, and walked the course. The marshals were friendly and well organised, and the atmosphere was relaxed but focused.
Cotswold BMW had brought along the new M5 Touring, which looked sharp in person. There was a solid turnout of modern BMW classics as well — an E34 518i, an E36 Z3 2.8, an E30 325i, and another tidy 2002. Mine still sat better (not biased obviously)
Run 1 – Finding My Feet
My first run was scheduled for 11:30. I pulled up to the line with a familiar mix of excitement and nerves. I’ve driven the 02 through towns, backroads, and even on track, but a hillclimb like Prescott is a different animal. You get one go. No warmup laps, no easing into it. Just you, the course, and a stopwatch in your head.
The signal light turned green, AC/DC Thunderstruck kicked in and I launched. Clean start, just enough grip from the limited-slip differential to keep the rear in check. The climb begins fast. Ettore’s Bend arrives quicker than you think, but the car felt sharp and light on its feet. I turned in with confidence, let the front end load up, and held the line.
Flooring into Orchard was solid, and the E21 vented discs up front and upgraded drums at the rear did their job without drama into Ettores. The M44 engine pulled nicely up the incline. Power delivery was smooth, even elegant.
Then came Pardon Hairpin. I misjudged the downshift and landed in fourth instead of second. The revs dropped, the engine bogged, and I lost all momentum. I knew it immediately. Rookie mistake, but that’s how it goes.
Still, I pushed on. The final stretch of the hill is more flowing than it looks. Two long curves, slightly off camber, with just enough crown in the road to keep you honest. The car felt balanced and eager to go again. Even with the missed shift, it was a solid first run. The 02 gave me confidence. I just had to repay it on the next run.
Run 2 – Redemption, with My Dad on Board
The second run came after lunch. This time, my dad was in the passenger seat. He’s the one who first got me into cars, and he had come in his MG MGB GT with a v8.
We launched harder this time. Bit of wheelspin but it settled fast. Through Ettore’s, I braked a little later and carried more speed. The car responded beautifully. Years of restoration work, rebuilt suspension, geometry tweaks, the engine swap all came together in those first few corners.
I nailed the downshift into Pardon Hairpin. Second gear. Tight line. Power down early. The limited-slip found grip and we fired out of the corner clean.
The upper section was a blur. Fast, flowing, with just the right amount of commitment. The 02 held its line, the engine gave everything it had.
No official time, but I reckon we were close to the low 1:02s. Maybe quicker. But the time didn’t matter (that much…)
Reflections
Prescott was the kind of weekend the 02 was built for. It cruised the motorway, carved through the countryside, and then climbed a hill with confidence. The upgrades, M44 conversion, LSD, brakes, suspension, ECU integration, and sound deadening, all worked together. The car felt modern where it mattered, but still had its classic feel.
Huge thanks to the Winchcombe Rotary Club for organising the event (Classics at Prescott), and Prescott Staff. Also to James at JFI Classics and Mick at Pristine Classics for their work and care. And to everyone who waved, chatted, or came over to ask about the car — thank you. The Classics community is a special one.
There’s so much more I didn’t mention, but that’s for another time!
Here’s to next year, and seeing more 02’s there!
