How many ways to enjoy your GT40

[David York]

It was with great sadness I waived goodbuy to my Caterham and its new owner yesterday as they drove off down the lane. I spent the evening pining away and remembering the great fun my family and I had building, hillclimbing but more importantly socialising with the car. The ownership opened up some great new friendships that I know will continue even though the car is gone.

Well after one to many sighs SWMBO kicked me and told me to get out my GT40 stuff and begin planning the build of RF132. Good woman! WHile the build portion of any project is my favorite after a few red wines my thoughts turned to how to enjoy the car once finished. So with all this said this diatribe will quickly get to the point and question.

How do you enjoy your GT40?

One of my biggest thoughts to look forward to is driving to and then lapping the Nuerburgring. A close second is driving to Lemans and cruisning the Mulsan on the Friday.

What other ways are there that you are enjoying using to what you have put blood sweat and tears into creating?

[John W]

Davey,
I too have a Caterham (a 1700 supersprint) and agree the social side of the club is/was superb.
I'm hoping my future GT40 build will provide me with the same level of socialising and track fun.

It strikes me that regardless of what car you have there are always people out there wanting to go the same places and do the same things, and it continues regardless of what make of cars the friends may subsequently move on to.

Last year 8 cars belonging to a specific car forum headed off to Spa and the ring for a few days. This year only 4 of us still own that make of car, but the others will still be coming regardless. The track time is great but it is the tall stories and social time that gets talked about the most [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

I'm off to Spa with the gt40 enthusiasts in August but don't have my GT40 yet. Why not do the same [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Getting a camcorder in the car for a few laps can be quite entertaining, as can having a track instructor show you what your car can really do ! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Cheers,
John.

[David York]

Great John,

Thats what I am looking for. I agree that track time and the fishing stories that follow are great. Spending some tuition time can bring your lap times down like nothing else. I spent a very enjoyable day with Don Palmer. I found that it knocked 6 seconds off my lap time at Curborough sprint.

Come on guy's what else is out there? What are your favorite way's to enjoy your car?

[Tony Hunt]

Dave,
As John Webster points out, the other half of owning a GT40 is the social side.
The GT40 Enthusiasts Club is pretty active, with area groups, national events like Stoneleigh on 1 May, the Festival of Speed and the Classic Car show in October. There's also the track side - next year's bi-annual Le Mans Classic, this August's Spa track day and the Goodwood track day with the GTD Club also in August.
Why not mosey along to the Club website and see what we get up to? There's also a membership form to download and send in if you're interested.
I know of a number of members building RFs, and I'm sure you will find a lot in common.

[Peter D]

Davey, I have only had mine on the road for a few months & am still sorting out the glitches - so track time is a while away. BUT, the social aspects are amazing - a normal 5 minute run to the shops consumes 30 mins - these cars simply flush enthusiasts out of the woodwook - from kids on upwards. I stopped at a shop today & got accosted by a very British 80+ lady whose asked me "How does in feel to drive with your aarrse on the graass ? !!!" We got chatting & she told me all about her son who has Morgan & a passion for GT40's - every time I stop the car, I meet someone new & interesting. Almost every stop at a set of traffic lights involves a shouted conversation & a "thumbs up" (if not an invitation for a drag race) !

Most of us guys here in Sydney, Oz have only just got our cars on the road & we are planning the 1st of many social "Drive Days" - it should be even more fun than going solo!

You will absolutely love it, no matter where you drive !!

Get all fired up with RF132 & go for it !!

Kind Regards,

Peter D.

[David York]

Hi Tony, I have been carrying the membership form around for the last three weeks! I just put it in the post to you and hope to make the western area meeting two weeks thursday as long as I am back in town in time.

[Peter D]

Davey - a direct quote from a GT40 owner mate of mine here in Oz :

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A couple of young chicks saw my car and I said “ Do you think I can pick up in this ?", to which one replied –“pick up –they will be lined up”.

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Enjoy !!!

Peter D.

[John W]

Nice quote Peter [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]