Too old to rock & roll?
Discussion
I'm getting close to the gates in the queue for Heaven, and am whiling away my remaining years as a burden on the tax payer by trundling an old N/A MR2 round the tracks. I'm in the process of investigating something quicker, but that's another story. I was at Brands last week and the Lotus 7 Owners' Club were out, seemingly having a great time. So I wondered if there were any similar groups that catered for us wrinklies, perhaps running more modest machinery (state pension doesn't buy much...).
Can't seem to find anything on the interweb. Local motor groups seem more interested in polishing the car and trundling round the countryside. Any suggestions (other than "act your age")?
Can't seem to find anything on the interweb. Local motor groups seem more interested in polishing the car and trundling round the countryside. Any suggestions (other than "act your age")?
Fantastic post - did make me chuckle! 
What do you want to do - something competitive like hill climbs or sprints?
Where are you based?
Things like the sevenoaks and district car clubs do events all year round including Brands Hatch, sprinting, auto testing etc and have people I guarantee that would be older than you - in fact a large number of their members are in their golden years
It shouldn't be too expensive either once you've got a licence and safety gear.
What do you want to do - something competitive like hill climbs or sprints?
Where are you based?
Things like the sevenoaks and district car clubs do events all year round including Brands Hatch, sprinting, auto testing etc and have people I guarantee that would be older than you - in fact a large number of their members are in their golden years
It shouldn't be too expensive either once you've got a licence and safety gear.
Cheaper than a Lotus/Caterham but offering similar thrills is the Locost series run by the 750 Motor Club. They also have an MR2 series, etc.
Locosts are cheapish to buy and run, Escort bits and pieces, standard 1300 XF, Ford box. In fact once bought few things are cheaper, a new gearbox will be £100 or so.
Locosts are cheapish to buy and run, Escort bits and pieces, standard 1300 XF, Ford box. In fact once bought few things are cheaper, a new gearbox will be £100 or so.
Thanks gentlemen. Not sure I'm up to actually racing as I have to stop to visit the loo or have a cup of tea every 10 minutes. Plus I don't think I'd pass the ARDS thingy. On the car front, I'm looking at Caterham (though struggling to like them), VX220, MR2 Turbo/v6, but I'm very drawn to a Zenos (though SWMBO isn't).
I think I'm looking for a bunch of wizened old gits to go to track days, tear-arse around, drink tea and talk b
ks with.(Sorry grammar police, I ended a sentence with a preposition.)
Anyway I'm in the South East (East Grinstead, hub of the known universe), so Sevenoaks is doable.
I will investigate...
I think I'm looking for a bunch of wizened old gits to go to track days, tear-arse around, drink tea and talk b
ks with.(Sorry grammar police, I ended a sentence with a preposition.)Anyway I'm in the South East (East Grinstead, hub of the known universe), so Sevenoaks is doable.
I will investigate...
Respect for still being on track Sir
I totally understand your comment with not liking the Caterhams as that was my take too until I tried one a few weeks back. I hired it one and had the best time in ages on track all be it only with 118bhp to play with. The car just grips forever and can be thrown full pelt into corners like Surtee's without the need to brake. I've seen the Zenos in the flesh and I'm just not sold on them with their looks, plus be careful, no doors means hoping in and out can be tricky. On the track though the Zenos did look planted.
I totally understand your comment with not liking the Caterhams as that was my take too until I tried one a few weeks back. I hired it one and had the best time in ages on track all be it only with 118bhp to play with. The car just grips forever and can be thrown full pelt into corners like Surtee's without the need to brake. I've seen the Zenos in the flesh and I'm just not sold on them with their looks, plus be careful, no doors means hoping in and out can be tricky. On the track though the Zenos did look planted.
I know it is the answer everything but a Mk1 MX-5.
I was at Snetterton earlier in the year and the MX-5 owners club was there with about 4 or 5 cars, they were having a good time, mainly slightly older chaps.
i track my Mk1 1800, cheap to buy and inexpensive to run on track...I regularly do over 100 miles on track during a track day, the car is a little hero...
I was at Snetterton earlier in the year and the MX-5 owners club was there with about 4 or 5 cars, they were having a good time, mainly slightly older chaps.
i track my Mk1 1800, cheap to buy and inexpensive to run on track...I regularly do over 100 miles on track during a track day, the car is a little hero...
another vote for MX5's,
i used to track/'Ring my XJR, big ol bruiser on the road but crap on track and on tyres and on brakes
so i bought an Eunos, fully fitted with adjustable Koni's, lightweight splits, LSD and roll over bar, all i needed for track fun. 200 miles to Cadwell, beer, curry and 5 hours sleep then 220 miles on track and a 200 mile drive home afterwards, not a murmur. had it 3 years nearly and done 15 trackdays and 2 trips to the Alps and Cote D'Azur. the thing with them is you can use them anytime and they are actually quite comfortable for long journeys.
the only thing i found was the lack of top end speed on some of the longer circuits, so i bought a turbo charged one as well
well worthy cars with great reliability and dead cheap on tyres, brakes and consumables.
i used to track/'Ring my XJR, big ol bruiser on the road but crap on track and on tyres and on brakes
so i bought an Eunos, fully fitted with adjustable Koni's, lightweight splits, LSD and roll over bar, all i needed for track fun. 200 miles to Cadwell, beer, curry and 5 hours sleep then 220 miles on track and a 200 mile drive home afterwards, not a murmur. had it 3 years nearly and done 15 trackdays and 2 trips to the Alps and Cote D'Azur. the thing with them is you can use them anytime and they are actually quite comfortable for long journeys. the only thing i found was the lack of top end speed on some of the longer circuits, so i bought a turbo charged one as well
well worthy cars with great reliability and dead cheap on tyres, brakes and consumables.I'll be certainly trying out a Caterham as they do seem to have a big following. I'm going to try a Zenos shortly as well. I might have to take my daughters along to a track day to see if they can blag me a ride in some of the others... 
Not sure on the MX5 front. I love the MR2 but it's limited on the straight and I think it might be a bit lost at a fast track like Silverstone. And I want to be able to get from Graham Hill bend to Surtees without half a dozen cars diving into my braking zone. Perhaps I should take up racing.
@HaylingJag, Cadwell is top of my list to do. Any good places to stay over?
Not sure on the MX5 front. I love the MR2 but it's limited on the straight and I think it might be a bit lost at a fast track like Silverstone. And I want to be able to get from Graham Hill bend to Surtees without half a dozen cars diving into my braking zone. Perhaps I should take up racing.
@HaylingJag, Cadwell is top of my list to do. Any good places to stay over?
Quintaint said:
I think I'm looking for a bunch of wizened old gits to go to track days, tear-arse around, drink tea and talk bks with.
Pretty standard trackdayers then ks with.
. If you want to get along to trackdays with a group then get involved with whatever car club fits the make you decide on, they are usually 90% polishers to 10% drivers but you'll find a few that want to get on circuit. Age won't matter, my regular trackday mates range from mid 20s to well into retirement.
You've got an MR2? Then put a thread on the MR2 forum suggesting a group get together for a track day at Cadwell Park (pick one, relatively cheap if you can find one - Javelin or MSV are a good place to start looking). You may only get a few, but it will be worth it. I will come along and join you, as it is my local track. It suits slower but good handling cars, because for certain it is a handling circuit. I was overtaken in my 300 BHP car by a Hillman Imp last time out - just well driven.....
Like you I am well stricken, and did a TD last Friday at Castle Combe with a group of fellow owners. Not MR2, but the principle is there. One owner posted a thread suggesting it, we kicked it around a bit and then we got 5 along for the day. Much more fun with a group than singly. OK, we know each other now, but we didn't a year or two ago. I am always seeing MR2 turbos at trackdays, usually laying oil for me to slide off on (grammar police etc.....). Most we have ever had at a track day was 10, and that's not bad for a rarer car like a TVR.
Here's our last thread.....
linky to TD thread
Like you I am well stricken, and did a TD last Friday at Castle Combe with a group of fellow owners. Not MR2, but the principle is there. One owner posted a thread suggesting it, we kicked it around a bit and then we got 5 along for the day. Much more fun with a group than singly. OK, we know each other now, but we didn't a year or two ago. I am always seeing MR2 turbos at trackdays, usually laying oil for me to slide off on (grammar police etc.....). Most we have ever had at a track day was 10, and that's not bad for a rarer car like a TVR.
Here's our last thread.....
linky to TD thread
Great post! Like you, I had an NA MR2 although mine was a V6 conversion. Ive tracked it a lot and spent some time in the Toyota Sprint Series a number of years back. Two months ago I sold it and settled on a Caterham R400 Duratec.
I hadn't driven one until two months ago, but was instantly sold after a test drive. Its very hard to explain how well they handle without actually being in one. I get smiles / waves all the time if Im driving on the road. People let me out a LOT more than they do when Im in a 'normal' car.
On track its a very confidence inspiring car and you can have a lot of fun with it. Lining up your front wheels to the apex (because you can actually see the wheel and the apex coming) is nifty.
My mechanical knowledge up to now has been abysmal but the Seven is so easy to work on even Ive been able to solve a problem. Everything is easily accessible by taking the nose cone and bonnet of.
I'm 43yrs young and one of the younger members of the Caterham community from what Ive seen. Average age from a recent event seemed to be about 50.
I will say that the club has looked after me very well so far and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Lotus 7 owners club are out again in Sept at Oulton Park.
The Caterham feels like an experience ever time Ive driven it, wether its on track or on road.
Best advice I can give, as someone said above, jump in one and go for a test drive even if its just for an hour at Caterham Gatwick.
Hope this helps
I hadn't driven one until two months ago, but was instantly sold after a test drive. Its very hard to explain how well they handle without actually being in one. I get smiles / waves all the time if Im driving on the road. People let me out a LOT more than they do when Im in a 'normal' car.
On track its a very confidence inspiring car and you can have a lot of fun with it. Lining up your front wheels to the apex (because you can actually see the wheel and the apex coming) is nifty.
My mechanical knowledge up to now has been abysmal but the Seven is so easy to work on even Ive been able to solve a problem. Everything is easily accessible by taking the nose cone and bonnet of.
I'm 43yrs young and one of the younger members of the Caterham community from what Ive seen. Average age from a recent event seemed to be about 50.
I will say that the club has looked after me very well so far and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Lotus 7 owners club are out again in Sept at Oulton Park.
The Caterham feels like an experience ever time Ive driven it, wether its on track or on road.
Best advice I can give, as someone said above, jump in one and go for a test drive even if its just for an hour at Caterham Gatwick.
Hope this helps
Edited by Tomiam on Tuesday 4th August 07:23
Quintaint said:
I'll be certainly trying out a Caterham as they do seem to have a big following. I'm going to try a Zenos shortly as well. I might have to take my daughters along to a track day to see if they can blag me a ride in some of the others...
Not sure on the MX5 front. I love the MR2 but it's limited on the straight and I think it might be a bit lost at a fast track like Silverstone. And I want to be able to get from Graham Hill bend to Surtees without half a dozen cars diving into my braking zone. Perhaps I should take up racing.
@HaylingJag, Cadwell is top of my list to do. Any good places to stay over?
http://www.kenwick-park.co.uk/Not sure on the MX5 front. I love the MR2 but it's limited on the straight and I think it might be a bit lost at a fast track like Silverstone. And I want to be able to get from Graham Hill bend to Surtees without half a dozen cars diving into my braking zone. Perhaps I should take up racing.
@HaylingJag, Cadwell is top of my list to do. Any good places to stay over?
http://www.admiralrodney.com/
Kenwick is just a few miles from Cadwell and is very pleasant, the Rodney in Horncastle is about a 10 run in, which warms yer car up nicely, and there are more pubs and eateries to choose from
D
Thank you, one and all. I have read and digested all the advice. I fear the villagers with pitchforks will be at my door if I don't try a Caterham, so I'm off to Caterham Gatwick later this week. If that works out, I suspect Book-A-Track might have a customer. Still off to Brands tomorrow to look at Zenos...
Cadwell is definitely on the list once I get the new motor. I'll then try the "anyone for tea and a thrash..." ploy. I wonder what it will be like to have some new playmates.
Thanks again.
Cadwell is definitely on the list once I get the new motor. I'll then try the "anyone for tea and a thrash..." ploy. I wonder what it will be like to have some new playmates.
Thanks again.
Never too old for this lark, I was at the Birkett and one chap, who looked about 75, could hardly walk to his car his hips were in such a state. Very seasoned racer though.
Don't rule out your ards, do pick the right place to do it though. You're not going Grand Prixing so I'm sure they will see a gentleman racer in the making.
You're not far from Brands by the sound of it.
Don't rule out your ards, do pick the right place to do it though. You're not going Grand Prixing so I'm sure they will see a gentleman racer in the making.
You're not far from Brands by the sound of it.
Since my last post I have now booked to do the track day with Javelin Track Days at Cadwell park on 24th August, which is a Monday. It's a circuit that will suit the MR2. I will be there with as many TVRs as I can muster in the time left, but we are a pretty friendly crowd and will welcome you, so come over, introduce yourself and join in our fun. PM me if you are stuck for accommodation if you are coming a long way, I might be able to help out.
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