Silverstone Classic

[andy97]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Not enough young people

Define "young"? I'm guessing that's people in their 30s?

The cost issue can't be denied but I would argue that most people in to historic racing want to race the cars that they watched when they were kids. Hmmm, I spot one problem - apart from BTCC and F1 there isn't really much of an audience for many series so where does the interest stem from (and they are both joke series in my opinion).

The next issue is that the 30 somethings probably lusted after cars that were current when they were 15; Clios, Focus, Porsche Boxsters etc. Many wouldn't know what a Capri was if it ran over them, and yet those cars are not catered for in historic racing yet, indeed they are still current in club racing. The one series from that era that is relevant and " current historic" is the Super Tourer series and that seems popular.

As Peter says, we need to get people involved in club racing and I think historic racing will survive as the next step, but will always be a slightly older audience.

We need to persuade people that club racing can be done more cheaply than imagined. Not cheap but more cheaply. There are start up cost of suits and ards but I still have my suit that i bought 16 years ago so the costs can be amortised. The growth in 2 driver 40/45 minute races also makes racing more accessible as costs can be shared, and we need to help people realise that you don't need to spend really big money to go racing, it can be done in a 2 Grand Fiat Uno, or a 4 Grand MX5 mk1 and be enjoyed just as much. There are plenty of series where those cars will do ok in their class (and by some standards they are historic anyway, certainly "classics"!)

[midgetman]

I was trying to avoid the "barriers to entry" conversation. Also the "I can still fit in my race gear after 16 years" conversation - how's a boy to make an honest shekel :ROFL:

I did extensive research on driver ages and demographics. Drivers race up to their early 20s and then they go away through their 30s until mid 40s. That makes sense if we think about our own lives - remember I'm talking about "averages" not dyed-in-the-wool racers. We (the latter) will do anything to race, but it's the mainstream that the sport needs to attract to grow.

I had a cluster of customers in the Worcestershire area, and used ACORN demographics to scale that up to find the likely residential neighbourhoods to target - yup it all matched with existing customers. So in the realm of your "average" hobby driver, I can safely say that "young" is 40, those in their 20s will not be racing cars that we define as "classic".

So don't worry about the 30 year olds - they're not racing anything let alone historics.

I cannot stress enough that I'm talking averages, I'm sure there are many, many exceptions. But for marketing purposes these are the people I target as they make up the bulk of customers.



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[andy97]

I do have more than one suit, Max!

[Mike Bell]

Back to the Classic.... First showing of highlights should be on ITV4 Thursday 10th Aug, 2000hrs.

[Gerard C]

Mike on Utub' Silverstone Pitlane Action I think its your car at min 2'. I checked a little more than 62 " for your stop. Who throws his gloves on the ground?

[geordiecriag101]

Just a few quick pics from me:

[brands]

Finally finished going through my photos from the event and have attached a sample batch. Back to a proper clubbie meeting tomorrow but same Sillystone backdrop and weather.

[geordiecriag101]

Just another quick one from me, here's my vid from Saturdays action at the Classic. Tried to get a wide selection of cars from all the races during the day if anyone interested:

https://youtu.be/Dk9vTMEffKs

[S griffin]

Cheers for that video, loved the sound of the old cosworths, plus the sight of the old tin tops and Group C cars

[John Elwin]

Silverstone Classic is being shown on ITV4 tonight, 8pm UK time.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Silverstone Classic is being shown on ITV4 tonight, 8pm UK time.

Thanks for the reminder John, I think I've set my HUMAX thingy to record it as I'm out this evening.

[S griffin]

I thought it was a good show, especially old passionate Tiff. Good celebrity race and of course the tin tops always entertain

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I thought it was a good show, especially old passionate Tiff. Good celebrity race and of course the tin tops always entertain

Yes, a bit lightweight but then I suppose it wasn't just aimed at the hardened enthusiast. It certainly passed an hour with a couple of glasses of wine...

[Mike Bell]

Sadly, when I watch the racing bits of the Classic or Goody I finish up judging driving standards! Not impressed by some of the contact in the Masters Sports Cars......

[356sc]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Sadly, when I watch the racing bits of the Classic or Goody I finish up judging driving standards! Not impressed by some of the contact in the Masters Sports Cars......

The Padmore incident was very poor!

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Sadly, when I watch the racing bits of the Classic or Goody I finish up judging driving standards! Not impressed by some of the contact in the Masters Sports Cars......

😁 Excellent!
Encouraged by the editor throwing in thrills and spills for 'good tv' i bet!

I'll watch tomorrow as I missed the first showing.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by 356sc

The Padmore incident was very poor!

Yes. I see the repeat on ITV4 is 1000hrs this morn. Don't think I'll be in, but would like to watch that race again. Got the impression that one car was involved in a few of the 'contacts', but may be wrong.....

[coppice]

Abysmal coverage - about 30 secs devoted to F1 and endless wittering about slebs making tw*ts of themselves in A35s. Superficial coverage of better races - but at least we got some FF1600 battling.

And really - 60th anniversary of Fiat 500 gets airtime , but not the Lotus Seven .....

[zefarelly]

Originally Posted by coppice

Abysmal coverage - about 30 secs devoted to F1 and endless wittering about slebs making tw*ts of themselves in A35s. Superficial coverage of better races - but at least we got some FF1600 battling.

And really - 60th anniversary of Fiat 500 gets airtime , but not the Lotus Seven .....

It's all good business.

[midgetman]

Well you can be grumpy if you like Coppice but I thoroughly enjoyed the programme. I watched it sat in the awning before I went to bed, thought there was a good balance of thrills and spills and exciting racing. Well worth watching but what do I know hrug:

Yes there was some iffy driving in the Sports Cars! I'd like to think "cock up" not "conspiracy" but that's me being kind.

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[356sc]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Yes. I see the repeat on ITV4 is 1000hrs this morn. Don't think I'll be in, but would like to watch that race again. Got the impression that one car was involved in a few of the 'contacts', but may be wrong.....

A burgundy coloured car by any chance?

[Mike Bell]

You could be right.....

[356sc]

Mike/Zeff....clearly since you did this at LMC, the car thinks it needs to deploy an air brake at every event!!!

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by 356sc

Mike/Zeff....clearly since you did this at LMC, the car thinks it needs to deploy an air brake at every event!!!

Attachment 50308

Yes! I think that once again it had been going backwards- at some point previous to the air brake deploying.....

[john ruston]

It's a second a lap quicker with lid up!
Need to spin it first to get it to open.
Won class,handicap and drum break classes
Not bad and 11 sec a lap quicker than other 356's
Due to change owners in two weeks
Present owner wants a Speedster or Lotus11