Earlier today, I drove a new Z Nismo from upstate New York back to its home port in northern New Jersey. I hated it. It was cramped. It rode harshly, and the controls were hard to see and operate. Sure, it was very quick and handled well, but I could never live with a car like that.
When we started this publication 40 years ago, my focused face was on the first cover behind the wheel of my beloved 240Z. I thoroughly enjoyed that car. It was everything I ever wanted a car to be and was a mainstay in our scene.
So what changed? Was it me? Or did Z-cars change? To be honest, despite the haze of time, I know my 240Z was smoother on bumpy roads–even after I lowered it and bolted in some KYB struts.
But my view on the sport has changed. While I absolutely lived for competition at the time, today I just dabble in it. My lust to stand out in the hot sun all day to autocross for a few minutes has turned into a desire to go on a car tour or check out the racing at Goodwood–or even watch a vintage race or the Runoffs. While I’m still interested, my physique, my interests and my situation in life have all changed.
In fact, earlier this year, I turned over my column–and my publisher title–to my son, Tom. I’m still out in the garage every day, though. I’m still writing almost every day and traveling to events as well.
Forty years ago, though, I was in junkyards and swap meets, scrambling to build something out of nothing. The thought of buying a car for $40,000–or even $4000, for that matter–was beyond me. I did what I had to do. I learned how to fix things myself because I had to. I had a burning passion to make my automotive dreams, and thus this magazine, a reality.
I still have the passion, but the view from my driver’s seat has changed. Today, I prefer the view from inside my low-mileage Porsche 997–or my Sunbeam Tiger, Alfa Spider, classic Corvette or Cobra-powered Ace.
[Genuine or replica, the only wrong Cobra is one that isn’t driven]
On my old cars, I don’t have to figure out how to connect a phone. There’s no complicated infotainment system. The car doesn’t bark that I need to check the back seat for a forgotten child.
This changing world is part of the reason I’ve turned over those reins to Tom. I knew that the publisher needed to have the same passion that I had when I started, and I know that he will serve you all well.
He spends almost any free time in the shop with whatever’s on the lift, whether it’s a Miata racer or an LS-swapped 350Z. Earlier this year, he and Andy Hollis won their class in the One Lap of America. By the time you read this, he will have returned from the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals.
As for me, I’m very much still here but admittedly focusing more on fun, like crazy event invites. (I still want to try ice racing, by the way.) I’m just down the proverbial hall in the Classic Motorsports wing of our office. Stop by and see me sometime.
Comments
Tom1200
PowerDork
10/2/24 1:01 p.m.
Oddly I've never been one that found rough riding cars acceptable simply because they're more trackable; even when I was a broke teenager. I think this comes from my motorcycle background; making them handle better included improving their performance on bumpy pavement.
As for the rest; I think experience (age) tends to put things into perspective as far as what matters to you.
Up until somewhat recently I've always floated the idea of going to the RunOffs but lack of budget to do it properly sopped me. I know have that budget but a statement by a two time winner made me rethink that.
He said "It's cool and a personal accomplishment, but I'd rather have the $100,000.00 back"
As a teenager I wanted to prove myself as a racer; nearly 40 years later I know that I am a damn good driver and don't need to prove anything. I've also turned into a pretty good instructor.
I realized it's the shared experience of being on track with friends that matters to me. I still of that same passion but it's much more focused on what makes me happy rather than the outright results.
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