Somebody once said about Can-Am cars, "You step on the gas and shit
happens." Somebody else said, "At one time these cars were capable of
killing the finest drivers in the world, and today they are being
driven by dentists." All of us "Walter Mittys" should remember that.
Most of the drivers in Vintage are amateurs. Many raced as amateurs
when they were younger, quit for a while, and came back in Vintage.
There are very few former professionals active in Vintage. Phil Hill
and Sterling Moss are the exceptions. Engineers, Doctors, and business
owners are much more common. You don't have to be filthy rich to do
this, but it would sure help! ;=)
If you have seen any photos of races from way back when, they were run
on open roads and streets lined with people. All it takes is a few
dozen dead spectators to bring out the walls. I agree that precious
pieces of history have no business in a concrete canyon, but you can
damage a car on just about any track. Races in the old days were also
run between hay bales, which can also bend things pretty good. I have
commented that Thunder Hill is amazingly forgiving, tho. If it wasn't
for the dirt and the dust, TH would be an ideal Vintage track. It's
cheap, it's fast, and the runoff areas literally encompass acres of
land. It's also not terribly challenging, but still interesting.
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