Historic racing cars built in 2013?
10/02/2013
Now Lister (with the merger of the companies Lister Jaguar, Brian Lister Light Engineering and Lister Storm) has also joined the ranks of traditional manufacturers and announced that it will soon begin to rebuild the 1958 Lister Knobblyas a so-called "Continuation Series".
This means that "old" racing cars will be produced using modern methods according to the original specifications for historic racing. For some time now, it has also been possible to order new Chevron B16s, Lola T70sor Ford GT40s and some others and take part in FIA racing events with them.
There are certainly positive aspects to this trend. No historic original vehicle is sacrificed in the tough battle on the racetrack, young drivers can get into racing at a comparatively low price and do not have to invest millions in a car steeped in history. The public also sees attractive vehicle fields at secondary events and, finally, the new production also ensures an improvement in the spare parts situation, which in turn can also benefit the historic original vehicles.
So far so good, but this development is of course not a blessing in disguise. For the owner of an original vehicle from the period, the "new" competition on the circuit can quickly become a problem, because not only are they often up against an extensively optimized opponent with more advanced materials, but the drivers of the cheaper "new cars" are also less reluctant to take a hard line. In principle, the driver of a genuine classic with racing history hardly stands a chance, especially if his car is still fitted with a large amount of technology from the fifties or sixties.
Perhaps the vehicles should be separated and run in separate series/races? But where should the line be drawn? If an "old car" is upgraded or "restored" with newly built parts (e.g. frame, suspension elements, engine, etc.), is it still an original car? What would be permitted on the old vehicle in order to retain its historic status? And how do you counter the risk of new cars suddenly becoming an old original vehicle through "paper engineering"?
The motorsport authorities (FIA, possibly FIVA) and the race organizers are faced with explosive questions that are not easy to answer.
But what do you, dear reader, think about these developments?
