[Healeys] Real Racing??

[Editorgary at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/29/08 9:09:51 AM, healeys-request at autox.team.net 
writes:


> At the 2002 50th on the Thruxton Motor Circuit, two
> big Healeys got pranged and one spun into the tires so hard that it was
> almost gone from the windscreen forwar
> 

With all due respect to the Europeans who might be reading this list, I've 
been to Goodwood twice, as well as to one of the club meets at Silverstone. As a 
vintage driver myself (four times at the Monterey Historics) and having 
discussed this question with other drivers who have been back and forth...
My personal viewpoint is that the European drivers don't drive any better 
than the American drivers; they're just much more intent on winning, and since 
many of them, especially at Goodwood, are hired hotshoes, they don't seem to 
care as much about taking care of the cars.
Another interpretation is that in the U.S. we have SCCA racing for those who 
want to race at the amateur and semi-pro level in a series that awards winners 
with better sponsorship and publicity, and that's where all the paint-trading 
and who-cares racing goes on. In Europe, vintage racing seems to be the only 
outlet they have for that kind of competitive urge.
Just my personal opinion.
Cheers
Gary


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