James,
No doubt... definately a different sense of competition in European vintage
racing... we experienced this in the 1990 Healey Challenge when the Brits
were punting everything in sight...
WST
----- Original Message -----
From: James Wiseman - JDW Media <james@jdwmedia.com>
To: <vintage-race@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 1999 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: crack-up at the historics
> Hi all,
>
> As a lurker de-lurking for a bit, and sticking my neck on the line, I have
> to say that I agree somewhat with Paul, if not exactly with everything he
> said.
>
> Maybe we just do things differently here in the UK, but all I know is that
> whilst gentlemanly conduct is admired and largely carried out (at least in
> the HSCC series that I take part in/spectate), the fact is that, yes,
these
> cars are race cars, and race cars DO CRASH/MAKE CONTACT from time to time.
>
> We all hope they won't, and if someone is generally at fault, then it's
> considered the gentlemanly thing to offer to pay for your opponent's
damage,
> but because we all know each other, if only in passing, there is more of a
> genuine feeling of 'well, these things DO happen' - Sorry, mate! But I'll
> see you in two weeks time'
>
> Anyone who watches the UK events such as the Coy's Historic Festival or
The
> Goodwood Circuit Revival, sees drivers great and not-so-great thrashing
the
> bollocks off these cars. Yes, red mist is involved, and if a driver is at
> fault, they're usually aware of it.
>
> The PROBLEM comes because when you have celebrity drivers in cars that are
> not theirs (and to be honest, most of the time they know that the owner is
> very rich anyway), they tend to have less worries about recrimination -
> because they ain't gonna be there to pick up the pieces (sometimes
> literally!).
>
> Whilst it is great to see the motor racing heroes in the cars they made
> famous, it also cheeses me off that those people who take part in the
sport
> throughout the season get forced out of the big events by the same rich
boys
> with their toys -some of which were bought just to get into 'the scene'
for
> the weekend. After all, it's the same Ferrari GTOs every year at the Coy's
> Festival. Would've thought they'd have got bored of it by now. I know I
> have...bitter, moi? :-)
>
> Anyway, that' s my two pence worth. I'm now going to zip into my
all-in-one
> Nomex romper suit, so fire away...
>
>
> Regards,
> --
> James Wiseman
> --------------------------
> '64 Giulia SS Racer
> '60 Giulietta Spider Veloce (soon to be Rally Car)
> '96 145 Cloverleaf
>
> > Paul,
>
> [snip]
>
> For the safety of
> > yourself and others, I do pray that you do not venture upon a race track
> > before you learn the fundamental difference between professional racing
and
> > responsible vintage racing.
>
> [snip]
>
> I comment only on your irresponsible view
> > of vintage racing. Were this view to become widespread it would without
> > doubt end vintage racing.
>
> [snip]
>
>
> >> was a tad ill-advised, but more importantly perhaps what we all seen
there
> >> was a vintage racer doing what a racer does (whether it's his car or
> >> not)...he tried a large scale pass that would have netted him accolades
if
> >> pulled off successfully but has instead caused a lot of expensive
damage
> > to
> >> several cars and left many of us whining about his skills. WAKE UP
RACERS!
> >> What we witnessed was racing, not a parade! While it's important to
> > respect
> >> the vintage cars and their vulnerability to expensive damage or
> > destruction,
> >> they are nonetheless RACE CARS. If you don't want your prize-winning
> > trailer
> >> queen to suffer a crumpled fender....DON'T RACE IT ANYWHERE!
> >>
>
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