|
Loved Modsports! But there again, loved the 60s and 70s too... I have a pile of pics taken at the exit to Mallory Hairpin, as that was the best place for someone who loved taking pics at a race track, but who didn't have access to a camera with a long lens! Prescott Hillclimb was great though...
Part of the disenchantment as a spectator since then is the distancing of the spectators/amateur photographers from the track side, on safety grounds - and stuck behind wire fences.
Here in NZ, we run an very successful series for 'road-going' pre 1977 sports/saloons/GTs, (over 100 active drivers on two grids) but there is currently little opportunity to race a genuine modsports car on slicks, other than as an historic car, where the mix is likely to include Formula Fords, Juniors and even old F2 cars.
Part of the problem is identifying and maintaining a period car, without in any way modernising it. Difficult to police, and it generates the argument currently raging, re continuity or run on cars, replicas etc.
On the grounds of safety and reliability, Spridgets and many other cars of that era here in NZ, will now be fitted with Toyota gearboxes for example, plus decent brakes. Its an argument that can get people in two distinct camps, with no faction being 100% correct...
Genuine Modsports cars and the oft quoted Super Saloons in the 70's were wonderful, as were the previous grids of early Lotuses, Coopers and a variety of specials... Racing them today and trying to source original spares wouldn't be easy.
|