Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

Do you think there is a general age limit on people taking part in track days? Do you feel it's a young persons game? Do you feel the more mature you are the more fun through skill and experience can be had?
would you say no more than 40 years old? 50? 70 or any age so long as it's fun and not dangerous.
You don't seem to see very old people taking part. It takes quite a bit of effort to throw a car about in anger on slicks and no power steering. That said, I watch the BTCC and there are few drivers around the 50 mark and more.
How old is too old for track day participation?

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

If you feel your are confident to drive on track well just go for it. No doubt there will always be someone better than you on track.

slammedorion

I don't suppose there's a limit
Would imagine there's a good mix, I know when we go Oulton park for Gold Cup there's a mixture
Younger generation are there
Older generation are there ( presume they have spare money and spare time to enjoy retirement )
If it's in your blood age won't matter, just enjoy it

Caddyshack

Maurice Reeves must be nearly 80 and last time I saw him on track he was one of the quickest on there.

Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

He sounds awesome

Caddyshack

This is him after his shop was burned out in the riots a few yrs back....




His son was a Rallycross world champ and they shared a mega boosted mk1 golf 1.8t for track days.

Caddyshack

Here he is in his Mk2



Legendary mk1 with around 400 bhp

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

Guy at work in his 50's has just booked himself on a trackday at thruxton. In his std 1.0l polo.

I severely doubt he will be fast, but i suspect he will have himself some good fun.

Psycho Warren

iTrader: (5)

plenty of older people in motorsport.

go to a hill climb and youll see many an OAP nailing ex-F1 cars with 500bhp plus up the hills all day long.

big_wasa

I am 42 and I've just bought somthing to get on track with this year.

gcfcos

Your only as old as you feel mate

visa_broke

saw this down combe years ago leaving pretty much everything for dead

Rod-Tarry

Maurice is over 80 & still very very quick although I think his son has the better of him now. His Mk1 Golf was often fastest at track days at Coombe back in the day. A total Legend.

eagie

Don't think there's an age limit on it, only when you stop enjoying it and having fun would be the time to call it a day?

Caddyshack

I spoke to Maurice at Bedford a few yrs back and he said his son, Trevor, has always been able to find a little more speed. Trevor has raced classic F1 at Monaco and beat Alexander Wurz in a similar car.

when I was at Spa I was in the Z3m and Trevor had a go, I told him to get it very sideways round the big bend after the pits and everyone thought it was me!

jsa

So long as you can concentrate, and healthy, then age is no big deal. Just drive within your abilities.

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

time to give up when you accidentally piss your pants

_Jimmy_

if you're posting about yourself the fact that you're considering it suggests you're not 'too old'. It can be quite tiring but not really that demanding in a normal road car, gets a lot of adreneline going though. It's only a trackday at the end of the day, do open pitlane and you can drive as much as you feel like. It is mostly younger people doing trackdays though, there seems to be more older people competing in motorsport events

Caddyshack

Rod is way too old and should give me his car or engine, I will do him the favour of taking it off his hands and drive it like I stole it.

COLEYST200

iTrader: (3)

i will pick it up for you Toby lol

rsp36

I've worked as an instructor and had people out from late teens to late 70's,if you're ready to have fun then stop worrying and get out there.
Some tracks have novice only days,very easy going and everybody more or less on the same level.
Book a day,and when you get in there and sign in,book an instructor for a session,normally 20 mins,cost around Ł20-30,they will show you the ideal lines,braking points etc etc and give you a few hints.
But beware,it's highly addictive.

Caddyshack

Good point ALWAYS use an instructor, people spend thousands making their car "quicker" but the biggest improvements and best way to go faster is keep the car standard and LISTEN to the instructor. Try to go slow at first and get the driving right, the speed comes naturally later.

gcfcos

Good advice

Cos500

I'm 41 and only just getting my car back on the road after years away, hoping to get back to the track this year too, most track days I've been on I'd say the age bracket was 30-50+
Can't say I care what age people are so long as they are not dickheads on the track.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Don't see a problem at all, as long as you are fit enough to drive and are still sharp enough to react.

Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

Reason I posted originally was that I'm just a pissed off with it all really lol.
The car was hated by the ex. I loved it and had many a great track day with it. The kids never went without and I never spent what I couldn't afford.
I designed, built and modified it along the way as no parts off the shelf for it like a Cossie or MK 2 Escort.
Marriage is history and everything in storage for last 3 years. Not seen a wheel turned in anger for over 10 years. Stuck in a 1 bed flat but looking. House I wanted with amazing garage looks like it's going to fall through due to seller not declaring planning issues unresolved.
I'm 48 years old and just see life flying by with no light at the end of the tunnel.
I have so many plans for the car but wondering if I will ever get there. It makes me feel like jacking the lot in and turning my back on the whole car scene. I don't want to and probably won't but so disillusioned at the moment.
The adrenaline is awesome and I've almost forgotten what it feels like. Used to love going out but always the reception I had when I came back in was amazing and the car used to get swamped as it really did surprise people. I miss that.
Just in a rut but it will pass. I thought the other day just get rid, settle down and let the car go.
I am always making, fixing or helping out (when not living in a flat) and would feel like my right arm was missing if I didn't do something. Just need all my tools around me. I have the equivalent of a single garage full of tools and equipment that I have not seen for over 3 years.
I will get over myself lol - thanks for listening

Caddyshack

Keep yer chin up mate, get a track day booked and go for it, even if you need to hire a car for the first one. Another house will come along if this one falls through, the past is the past and it ain't ever coming back and will have no bearing on your future. The future hasn't arrived yet, now is the only time that exists so just enjoy that and get everything you can from it.

Now dust off the car, get some pics up and get working on it.

Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

Car and tools in storage miles away.

I will start work on it the day I get it in my new garage whenever that may be.

Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

Those are excellent words put very well indeed. Sometimes you lose the ability to think like that and it's only when you hear it that it makes sense.
Cheers

Cos500

My ex'es have always hated the cossie, my current girlfriend hates the cossie, if I'd not hidden the receipts for the current restoration I guess she'd be an ex too, we are still renting also, I'm saving for a deposit but it's taking time and time goes by very quickly.
The car is the one thing I'm hanging onto, getting out in it or taking it to the track is like a part of me that I need, not done a track day in my own car in 10 years now but I'm hoping this year it will be back.

Cosnada

iTrader: (2)

Good luck mate!

as soon as I get a house I will work on the car. Quite a few bits need sorting so it may be 2019 before it sees any action?

COLEYST200

iTrader: (3)

me and two mates are at oulton park on the 11th of march if you fancy a day out pop up and have a chat you might even get a passenger ride

gjh

There's a guy in his 90s that still rallies an Austin cooper S, well, he did last year at least.

gcfcos

Wow that's bloody awesome!!

Ridgey

iTrader: (5)

Would be nice see a few more cossies on track, the ones i go to im usually the only one

GVK.

Heard the sad news news Maurice has died aged 89.

Caddyshack

That is sad to hear, thanks for posting. We was an amazing bloke. I will try and get hold of Trevor, not spoken to him in years as not been on track much.

Good innings and I think he had a colourful life.

GVK.

Indeed, must be 10 years or more since I'd seen them on track but always had time for a chat.

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

Hes 89 and a superstar lol and most in the retro rally cross championship are over 65 and most have more skill than people half there age