Are there any major grassroots racing events any more? I mean, sure, you can a small local drift event at an old go kart track or weekend autocross group in the old mall parking lot. I’m talking about a full race team working together to come first on race day though. A team pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into a box with wheels for a shot to be called the campion. With events like Formula One and the 24H of Le Mans it’s sometimes hard to imagine what your boots on the ground, local business sponsored, backyard mechanic, and apex enthusiast looks like. That’s where Speedtour comes in. Sure there is a small purse and a trophy to be had upon winning but if you’re here for glitz and glamour, you’ve come to the wrong event.
Speedtour is an event that houses multiple classes and race series. From modern tube chassis Trans Am cars to vintage open wheel racers. There is a race car for you. Though the cars themselves can vary greatly between each other, the once constant you see, is for the love of the game. Wether its a team racing and prepping their Trans Am car in a parking lot turned repair shop, a guy fixing his corvette with the tools out of the back of his pick-up, or the wife helping push her husbands Formula V car around the paddock. Don’t let the fancy radio communication equipment or occasional semi truck fool you, these teams are here to do what they love. Race.
Part of the reason I personally love events like this is because of the pedigree of cars that show up. An original ’73 BMW CSL, the # 9 Datsun 510 wearing the same livery it wore during its first Trans Am event in 1972, and even the likes of some highly recognizable NASCAR cars. The time, love, and passion it takes to keep these types of vehicles on the track is something you can’t buy. To see these machines doing what they were built to do decades later does the heart good.
So if you’re somebody who loves the thought of F1 racing but connects with more of a tangible type of racing, might I suggest catching a Speedtour event. You won’t regret it!
More photos can be found at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBRBAw