Clubs & Events
Clubs’ hunt for young enthusiasts gathers pace
Where we’ve been, where you should go, and what the future holds.
‘It’s all about making the unders-25s feel like they belong’
We’ve had a huge response to our article in the March issue on classic car clubs encouraging young enthusiasts.
Stephen Clark of the Morgan Three-wheeler Club got in touch to tell us: ‘This year we’ve approached colleges to offer free places on our technical training days when students can also drive our cars. It’s going well, much like our 2017 scheme which gives under-25s free membership.’
Meanwhile, 21-yearold Chloe Parker works for the Triumph Sports Six Club with the brief of engaging with younger members. She says: ‘It’s all about making them feel like they belong. We offer the under-25s halfprice membership and about 80 have joined.’
The Austin Ten Drivers Club is working with Startermotor (startermotor.co). Says Club chairman Tony Lunt: ‘The club
donated a car to loan to a young driver for a year. We sponsor the vehicle so that the driver has access to our spares department and other membership benefits.’
Nigel Stennett-cox of North Norfolk Classic Vehicle Club says: ‘Three years ago some Model T owners displayed their cars and offered free NNCVC membership to under-25s; we got a good response.’
Sadly, however, such schemes don’t always succeed. The Lincolnshire Section of the Pre-war Austin Seven Club built a car to lend to anyone, including younger members. The group’s Brenda Johnson tells us: ‘It has seen plenty of use, but we haven’t been able to attract any younger members.’