DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Please let us know how this pans out . Would love to see a photo diary of the journey, regardless of whether you decide to pull the trigger.

This is wonderful and fascinating. I race vintage, I am not a front runner, and my racing is part of, but not driving my enthusiasm. What am I trying to say?.... I race the car(s) I love, not to win but because I love putting them out there, in context. Some of my mates need to win, so will move from car to car chasing the front. Their car choice is driven by that need. Having said I'm I'm not a front runner, I always want to do well, because these cars were designed, built etc to be raced, so I try hard, I push the limits, and my limits, but always influenced by my love of my car and the need for this to be fun, and to go home in one piece (even if there's a rod hanging through the bottom of my engine, Goodwood MM a few years ago). I love the 904 (& 906), would race it if I had one and wouldn't win, I have friends with T70, and they don't do it for me, so it's not what id have.....so what was I getting at, imho you should buy something because you love it for what it is, not what it isn't. Race it as hard as you can, choose your series/events carefully, ensuring as far as possible respectful racing with other people who care.....and never assume something is 'strong and safe', even a T70.....Good luck and keep us posted.

ps. you only regret the money you don't spend.....W

Winston, that just completely sums up my competition life!
On early May Bank Holiday weekend, I will have been competing in our 911 for 40 years. I enjoy my sport, speed hillclimbs. I don’t think that I shall ever want a different car, this one is too much of an old friend and too much fun to part with, and possibly more than any of the above I enjoy the amazing bunch of people that I have been lucky enough to compete alongside. I’d like to think that I’m still competitive, but winning isn’t a necessity.

Joel, find something that you really enjoy driving, that you can push to your limits, and get out and have a great time!

JW

Plus 1 on the two posts above this, Winston and Jonathan.

When much younger I was in a road going hillclimb class, a full class of about 12/14 drivers every event I did.
I wanted to win but it became clear I did not have the drive of others and the car was slow (as a result of that).

12 years with the 911 (still have it) and to a Subaru Impreza with 350 bhp.
Just the same situation!

4 years later the Lola Porsche which fullfilled so many dreams and was/is a real challenge to me.
Not the fastest car, but enough for me to repeatedly win the Championship class for various reasons.

To me it feels like a small 908, a schoolboy dream car bought in 2008 and terrific to experience alongside all the many great people in the sport I have come in contact with over the last 33 years.

Can't imagine being without the Lola and very mindful of it's fragility (you have to see how it is made) which is both a worry and calming situation.

Get the right car and use it as much as you feel is good.

I'm lucky enough to have done this 3 times, love them all.

If you are quick,a alternative
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1966- ... 2024-12-10

Just to round this out... I looked at many different cars and ideas. For a bit I got hooked on the idea of a Lola T70, but buying a real one of those is hard work and a LOT of money and buying a continuation one just didn't excite in the same way (and is still £350k plus). Then I started looking at 2 litre prototypes, Lola T210 or Chevron B19. You can buy a really nice genuine car for £2-300k but they are very fast and very dangerous (a friend was tapped at the start at Brands, found himself facing the wrong way facing a launching pack and one car literally used him as a ramp). I probably don't have the skills yet, if ever, to make a success of one of those.

In the end I felt that the replica 906 was just too much money to buy it just because I loved it, and I was mindful of comments on this thread and from other experienced racers, that they are not that fast and pretty fragile/dangerous. At £150k I might have just bought it, road registered it and used it as a sunny day go kart "for the love of Porsche" but at these price levels everything has to stack up (for me) and you also need to have a view of how you would get out of it when the time comes.

So in the end I ended up going back to one of my original ideas: the Chevron B8. Found a car which, while it was not built by Chevron nevertheless has an HTP and a chassis plate and 40+ years of race history, including winning the FIA Masters sports car championship in 2018. I've raced with the owner who seems a very decent fellow, and the car is fresh from pretty much a full restoration at Wolfe Racing. Here she is:

https://www.simondrabblecars.co.uk/for-sale/chevron-b8

The B8 weighs about the same as my Elan, but has 20% or so more power (230bhp vs 190). Also a lot more torque from the 2litre BMW M10 engine. But it's a purpose built racer, a mini prototype if you like, with a ton more grip from the huge rears and a lot more agility from the mid engined setup. I never thought anything would make the Elan 26R feel like a road car but this does! I forgot to mention the owner kindly let me drive it at a test day which swung it for me. Entering Guards Trophy in April at Snetterton and hopefully some Masters and Peter Auto too.

Many thanks for the insightful comments and advice on this thread.

.

Excellent news - & a great choice !!

Enjoy.

.

Looks a great car

Wonderful, that does sound and look superb!

Superb, please don't 'round this out'! Regular updates please.....Good luck with it, W

I've seen those racing great cars

Sent from my 22011119UY using Tapatalk

Rather nice car!
A friend has raced one for years now, Nick Thompson, prepared by Sean McClurg, not sure if a B6 or B8. (sky blue).

Sean does the chassis set-up on my hillclimb Lola.

As Winston says, regular race up-dates required!