Photo courtesy of TM Hill/WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

As cars from the 2000s move into vintage classes, sanctioning bodies are noticing that fanbases are starting to expand.

For every generation, the word "vintage" conjures up different images. For a young racing fan, a vintage car might be one remembered from childhood only 15 years ago. For that fan's gray-haired uncle, it seems like only yesterday that same car was the newest, hottest thing.

Vintage sports car racing has to walk a fine line between what its most ardent fans consider vintage, and what will attract the next generation to come through the gate. This balancing act is not a new issue. Vintage Racer Group (VRG), a Mid-Atlantic based organization established in 2004, was chartered in part to address the shortage of opportunities for cars of "in-between" years to race.

Paul King, a VRG board member and event chairman of VRG's Lime Rock Labor Day race, was building a 1972 Triumph GT6 in the early 2000s and was frustrated with the lack of racing options for his car.

"At the time, we literally had no place to race it in the Northeast other than the SVRA events, because the VSCCA [Vintage Sports Car Club of America], which was the dominant vintage club up there, I think they were probably limited to 1962 even back at that point," King recalled. "A very dear friend of mine I had started going to car shows with, he was doing VSCCA vintage racing. There was a group of VSCCA members who started VRG in 2004. It literally did start for two basic reasons. A lot of the individuals who were involved with starting the club knew there was a lot of demand for an organization that would allow newer cars. And at the same time, better safety standards."

Today the VRG holds its own events as well as teaming with other vintage organizations for joint ventures. And just like in the beginning, the definition of vintage is rolling forward. VRG rules allow Sports and GT cars and select sedans on sale to the public on or before January 1, 1989, and Improved Touring cars through 1993. But special exhibits and flexibility on some rules have brought in newer vehicles that have turned heads with a new generation.

At Lime Rock Park's 2024 Historic Festival, which VRG co-sanctions with VSCCA, turn-of-the-21st-century World Challenge cars were featured. "The ideas behind the World Challenge were basically street stock race cars from 1995–2005 prepared for the SCCA World Challenge, as well as the Motorola Cup and international categories like the ITSA, Super Touring, JDTC, previous Escort Endurance, IMSA Firehawk. It encompasses a lot of cars. It was a big experiment. We worked really hard," King said. "I saw the reactions of the fans, of the spectators, when those cars were out on the track, and they were a big hit. So we know that we're onto something, and we're continuing it this year."
 

New Cars, New Faces

Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) in Daytona Beach, Florida, was founded in 1977. Now under the IMSA umbrella, the organization has accommodated traditional vintage race cars while simultaneously finding a home for more recent cars that have aged out of current IMSA classes. That pipeline has allowed for a steady stream of fresh faces at HSR events.

"This year at the Classic 12 Hour at Sebring I think there were six DPis, Daytona Prototype International, that were running in HSR at that event," said John Doonan, president of both IMSA and HSR. "The homologation for those cars ended in 2022. Three years ago, they were racing in IMSA. So I think there is that pipeline, but I think it's a proper balance between what is considered vintage or historic and modern era stuff. I think making sure we maintain a balance is important.

"Take the Acura NSX for example," Doonan continued. "That car ended its homologation as a GT3 car in IMSA last October at Petit Le Mans. Now, those private owners who bought those cars want to have a place to race. I think there's this really important balance between what someone may call vintage or historic, and modern-era cars that are now not eligible to race."

HSR has also launched a NASCAR Classic class, popular among both participants and fans...

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Sources

Historic Sportscar Racing
hsrrace.com

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
weathertechraceway.com

Vintage Racer Group
vrgonline.org