Why Are We Taking an MGB to Solo Nats?

It seems to me that CAM should be just CM, and maybe just get broken out into a couple of additional sub-classes. Although, at that point, it could just about replace half the SCCA classing structure and rule-book...And that would simplify things far too much.

Glad to see you guys getting it out there and mixing things up a bit, for no reason other than giggles and grins. Anything that brings out more people (young or old) with classic cars, to drive them the way God intended and remind us about the joys of simplicity, is a good thing. 

NOHOME said:

The average age of a Brit car owner has to be over 65.  I doubt very much they are going to wake up anytime soon with a sudden urge to be hooning their geriatric chariots around an autocross course.

 

Where racing a classic does come into play is that it teaches car control. The driver needs to learn all of the tricks to controlling a large mass with limited friction circle because unlike new cars, the classics do very little to aid in this effort! Drive a classic until you stop going faster, then rather than mod the classic, go try it with a modern car and you will be amazed how much easier it seems.

For me, there are two things going on here, and you've nailed them.  

The first is around your comment about the demographic of owners of these types of cars.  It's very much an aging population that tended to belong to very specific/exclusive car clubs (why are there more than 5 national MG clubs, one for each era of MGs?  Why are there two national Triumph clubs?  Why not one larger, less exclusive, more welcoming place for all British or all European or all Imported cars?).  They've failed to attract replacement enthusiasts for these cars.  When I tell people under the age of 65 (to be clear, I'm under 65 for the next 12 years) that so may of these cars can be had for $5K (plus or minus) and they see how much fun the hooning is, I know that at least some of them are starting to search.  I've also had times when I brought a classic import to an autocross, another old guy decides to bring his to the next autocross.  Showing people these cars can be used beyond marque-specific car shows seems to be a good thing. 

Regarding the car control comment, my plan with this car is to keep it very period correct and use it exactly how you mention.  My STR Miata is so much easier to drive fast than any classic, so I'm not going to try to turn a classic into something too modern.  I'm going to enjoy the classic in a different way for different reasons.

If I'm not pontificating too much, I'll add this:  I'm a mid-pack driver and I autocross for social reasons as much as competitive reasons.  An oddball like an MGB starts a lot more great conversations than my Miata and it makes standing around all day for three minutes of driving just that much more fun.  When I want to be a better driver, I bring the Miata.  When I just want to have fun, I bring a classic like this MGB/GT.