I attended the Historic Race at Daytona this weekend put on by HSR. I also attended last years inaugural event and feel this years didn't quite muster up to lasts. Sure, there were plenty of cars but not enough to satisfy my craving for what I would arguably call the "Golden Era" of sports-car racing that being the early 60's to early 70's. I struggle to think of one Ferrari, Maserati, GT 40, or Prototype Porsche seen at this event. Although there were more then enough P-cars there to satisfy those liking that marque but to me it was a tick away from being a Porsche Fest of 911, & 914's.
After walking through the entire pit area I noted one Replica Gulf Liveried GT 40 driven hard by the same driver of last years BAILEY'S GT 40. Sadly, I only saw him on track once but he was gone by 1 pm Saturday afternoon not having entered the event. There was also a very nice Replica Porsche 906 but again not raced while I was there. The car I wanted to see was the Matra and she did not disappoint in how she was presented. The car did not carry the ear piercing V-12 but a stunning GT 40 engine which was the motor put in the car initially as the V-12 was not ready in time. This car too was a Replica, stunning as it was. There were also a few tasty Lola T70's in attendance, (most were high end Replicas too) and a couple of very quick (real?) Chevrons.
So are these the cars we'll see in most historic races? Its my opinion other then the BIG events like Goodwood, Lemans, Spa, and Pebble we might not get to witness the real McCoys out on track at these "lesser" events. Not that HSR isn't putting out a good event but I couldn't believe not one early 60's or 70's Ferrari was seen nor any unique Prototype Porsche's from that era.
The weather was perfect and as usual the pit crews and drivers were as keen as can be to tell you all about their cars.
Some notable drivers in attendance and seen were Sir Derek Bell, Brian Redman, Jochen Maas and a few others.
Its a good beginning for HSR but its my hope they can get a few more cars from the "Golden Era" to really make things more interesting for fans like me.
Of course this is only my opinion so others will have their own. I just loved that period of cars and not seeing more from that era made things just a tad underwhelming.
BTW, after their early night stint the drivers of the Matra could sense my joy of seeing their car there so they felt pity on me and invited me to take a seat behind the wheel. They didn't have to coax me I can tell you!
I'm adding this link found on Bring a Trailer that talks about this fantastic car. Hope it works.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ms630/&usg=AFQjCNHG1o70jEAxOcH_jQVT1_y3vKvhDA
After walking through the entire pit area I noted one Replica Gulf Liveried GT 40 driven hard by the same driver of last years BAILEY'S GT 40. Sadly, I only saw him on track once but he was gone by 1 pm Saturday afternoon not having entered the event. There was also a very nice Replica Porsche 906 but again not raced while I was there. The car I wanted to see was the Matra and she did not disappoint in how she was presented. The car did not carry the ear piercing V-12 but a stunning GT 40 engine which was the motor put in the car initially as the V-12 was not ready in time. This car too was a Replica, stunning as it was. There were also a few tasty Lola T70's in attendance, (most were high end Replicas too) and a couple of very quick (real?) Chevrons.
So are these the cars we'll see in most historic races? Its my opinion other then the BIG events like Goodwood, Lemans, Spa, and Pebble we might not get to witness the real McCoys out on track at these "lesser" events. Not that HSR isn't putting out a good event but I couldn't believe not one early 60's or 70's Ferrari was seen nor any unique Prototype Porsche's from that era.
The weather was perfect and as usual the pit crews and drivers were as keen as can be to tell you all about their cars.
Some notable drivers in attendance and seen were Sir Derek Bell, Brian Redman, Jochen Maas and a few others.
Its a good beginning for HSR but its my hope they can get a few more cars from the "Golden Era" to really make things more interesting for fans like me.
Of course this is only my opinion so others will have their own. I just loved that period of cars and not seeing more from that era made things just a tad underwhelming.
BTW, after their early night stint the drivers of the Matra could sense my joy of seeing their car there so they felt pity on me and invited me to take a seat behind the wheel. They didn't have to coax me I can tell you!
I'm adding this link found on Bring a Trailer that talks about this fantastic car. Hope it works.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ms630/&usg=AFQjCNHG1o70jEAxOcH_jQVT1_y3vKvhDA