Classic car track days, your thoughts

[TheBaron]

Hi All

I have done a lot of track days through the years mainly with modern machinery, but when I have dared to venture out onto a track with a classic on a standard track day, it is just plain dangerous. The car is to slow to compete and you just become an annoyance to the faster more modern cars.

I am thinking about setting up a company doing track days just for classics, these will be themed and year specific i.e. 1960 -1973 etc and themed would be just Porsche days which could also be honed down to 356 days and pre 73 911 days etc, the same with other car brands.

I have set up the website however it is not live yet but it is www.autorevival.co.uk

I know that periodically there are various classic track days but they can be very competitive with a huge amount of back up in the form of mechanics and truckloads of spares etc

I want to organise days were people drive to the track in there classic have fun with like-minded enthusiasts and not boy racer’s in their Scoobdoos etc, have some good food, a chat with mates etc

Do you guys think there is a gap in the market for this and would anyone be interested?

Stephen

[58A - 71E]

will be themed and year specific i.e. 1960 -1973 etc and themed would be just Porsche days which could also be honed down to 356 days and pre 73 911 days etc

Hopefully you would extend the age range to include ALL 356s

Although putting a 60bhp 356 with drums up against some of the ST, R, RS (rep or genuine) or IB engine'd 911's with 200+bhp would possibly be similar to the scenario you decribe as in putting moderns with classics

Definitely price sensitive for me and I may be wrong but not sure if going so specific as 356 only would attract enough punters
Location would also be a factor to encourage owners from the 4 corners of the UK to make one in.

I reckon sounds a good idea overall but the devil, as always, is in the detail

[TheBaron]

Thanks for all your replies so far, I get the feeling that just standard trackdays that I have experienced in the past are not enough for the classic bunch, maybe if it could be coordinated with companies such as Maxted Page and Prill and Roger Bray Restorations to name but two were they could offer something to add to the day, such as engine maintenence course, restoration techniques or such like, maybe even make it into a mini Goodwood Revival and have 50,60's type extravaganza. lots of ideas just need to put something into action now, looking to do the first event around April/May time.

[Rustbucket]

Hi,
Id really like a place to drive the car freely, to enjoy it for speed and pleasure.

I am not sure I'd like the initial worry over having other people on the track with me to begin with, for instance.
Maybe access to a shorter section for newcomers until they get used to the car and the feel of the situation.

People can be in groups depending on experience? Maybe more seasoned 356 people can sit in, to offer advice on driving ( ie yes you can push it more!!)?

Also, is your definition of a Track Day one where you need to really spec the car- roll bars, seat belts etc. I know 99% will have seat belts, but I don't know the legalities over insurances etc, which may be something your service could help with, for instance?
I look forward to hearing progress, I hope DDK can help you reach your goal.

[Winston Teague]

Definitely a market, though being prevented from running the tow car after breaking the classic would be gauling. The VSCC who run a very strong race calender of vintage and historic machinery cannot, however make a track day popular.....not sure why. Possibly the costs are close to or greater than the race entry fees. Good luck, if you want to push it in the vintage world get in touch and i will happily provide some contacts. W