Modern Motor Racing, what it NEEDS to Learn.
[Originally Written in June 2018]
A couple of weeks ago I was working for STR8SIX helping them run their TVR T400R at the Spa Historic. I’m still in awe of the occasion. The single most spectacularly brilliant automotive event I’ve experienced. Incidentally, I’ve discovered a love of photography — you can see more images from the event here: https://www.instagram.com/t_petrolhead/
I’m sure some of it was down to the idyllic location, the perfect weather and very decent hospitality but I actually couldn’t fault it. I’ve worked at and spectated at many motorsports events before but I have to admit I’m very green to Historic motorsports and hadn’t visited Spa.
The baron, windy dust bowl experience that is much of UK circuit racing during all but top-level motorsport really doesn’t compare. But that isn’t what struck me…
What struck me was, on Friday morning when we arrived there were Group C racers practicing. We stood for a good 15 minutes IN THE CAR PARK in silence just listening. Barely able to see anything of the track, the entire group put all morning to-do lists aside and stood. In silence. Soaking it in. Modern F1 isn’t a patch on it and, quite frankly, I’m annoyed at myself that it took 32 years to find out.
The incredible openness of the pits, regular parade laps for spectators to drive their own pride and joy’s around the track and restaurant quality (Not just burger vans) catering ensured that it wasn’t just driver’s friends and family there to watch — who normally fill the stands on all but top UK motorsport. Heck, even dogs were allowed — if you’re as mad as I am about them you’ll understand how much more appealing it makes having the ability to take ALL the family.
Oh, every class through the day proved the morning’s Group C sound experience wasn’t a fluke. No noise limits. Proper engines.
Modern motorsport seems like it’s had all the fun taken out of it in comparison. I’m not sure I have much time for it now as a spectator (working is another matter!). I’m hooked on the hard stuff.
It seems I’m not the only one too, the enduring popularity of historic events and Goodwood’s festival of speed is a testament to this.
UK club motorsport is dying. It’s a Dinosaur. You only have to look up at the empty stands, eye-watering ticket prices and ever more oppressive noise restrictions to realize this. With the move to electric vehicles, it’s going to face some tough times too. The noise and the drama are MOST of the enjoyment to spectate — sure it could carry on as it is, but the costs to compete will only increase and it’ll fade into further irrelevance.
I love electric cars (as I love the internal combustion engine) — but electric motorsport has limited appeal. I’ll go out on a limb and say at present most genuine motorsport fans have no love for it. And those that do love it are already electric car converts. Who is it selling the concept to? It’s being under-utilized. I wouldn’t pay to see electric motorsport, I’m not sure I’d watch it for free in person. The ‘race’ itself is really not important to me when I’m not working. It needs to be more.
My point being that, if motorsport is to have enduring appeal at the same time as aiding the adoption of electric vehicles amongst the Luddites — both branches need to learn some lessons from historic motorsport and combine.
So, now what…
It’s fine making these points, hopefully people will read it and nod. But it’s plain rude not to throw some ideas into the hat:
At the moment Race weekends are quite segmented into the organizer’s championships. A race weekend with the incredible sounds of historic racers (no Db limits please!), the normal modern Saloons/Tintops/GT’s and EV motorsport would be an easy sell.
Even more interesting…Mix the Tintops with the EV’s. Ballasted/Restricted correctly 20 minute races are feasible now and it would make for great racing with the combustion engine and motor very good at very different things. PR wise, when EV’s (sometimes) win it’ll be invaluable too. So you get the EV motorsport PR boost with the noise and drama of combustion engines. Win/Win. Another nugget from historic’s here — watch a race between an original Mini Cooper and…anything else. It’s stunning. EV/IC could generate some of the same thrills.
Whilst this revolution is underway drop the gate fees, allow dogs, good quality reasonably priced food, free camping (with a deposit maybe — and a pop-up bar/restaurant to pay for the running of it) and most of all — don’t let the place die during lunch time and between races. It kills any atmosphere. Let punters get a ticket, queue up and do a lap or 2 behind a track controller’s car. Even run some high level sprints/demonstration runs…just keep the wheels turning!
Do all this and British Motorsport will endure like Horse Racing instead of fade from the view of the masses and be like Polo (which incidentally is brilliant to spectate, mostly for the same reasons Historic Motorsport rocks).
To follow my adventures in pictures, please follow my Instagram below: https://www.instagram.com/t_petrolhead/
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
