Why Such A Fascination On Classic Cars

Ever since I was a kid it always fascinated me more admiring all sorts of 20 or 30 plus year old cars than the newer and latest models. Fine, I do like new cars as well, but talking about classic cars and seeing them, it kind of gives you that felling of the time and era of brave men trying to dominate the machine.

Just a couple of months ago I visited the Algarve International Autodrome, as this racetrack is called here, close to Portimão, and visited the Historic Classic Racing Car Festival being held there in which over 250 cars of 12 different categories that span the racing era from the early 1930´s all the way to the 70´s, and with 300 national and international drivers that put on a hell of a show in 16 different category races.

All time famous makes like Maserati, Lola, Lotus, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, Alfa Romeo and so many others. This festival this day went beyond any motor sport activity.

It was an event for the classic car enthusiast and for the whole family who were able to admire this display of dynamic art work on wheels.

As a spectator not only I appreciated the sight, the roaring sounds the smell of gas and burned rubber at the races, but had the chance as well between some races to visit the paddock and pit boxes. It was also a great delight to have the presence of some famous ex-Formula 1 drivers like Sir Stirling Moss, Jochen Mass and Bobby Rahal and many others.

Historic Festivals are a great return to the past. It’s a tradition of motorsport with all the beauty and glamour that their cars reflect, in a lively open air museum, admiring the history of motor car racing. On top of all, it brings back to motorsports some of the forgotten human standards.

The most relevant aspects of Historic Festivals are the return to the competition spirit amongst gentlemen and the pleasurable moment’s spectators and competitors can enjoy. Those who think these are races of rich men in their old fast machines, think again because regularly one is thrilled by real fights between these drivers in a race, nothing less than it would be in real competition racing.

Race History

There is a growing felling of disappointment in auto racing today, especially with the actual Formula 1 races, due to the overvaluing of commercial content and its high costs. Enthusiasts nowadays are discovering a much deeper and relaxed pleasure visiting the past.