Brexit, COVID put brakes on cross-Channel classic car sport
CHICHESTER, UK: As vintage vehicles of all shapes and sizes from the last century roared around England’s Goodwood Motor Circuit last weekend, something stood out to seasoned observers: far fewer cars and drivers from Europe. Meanwhile, historic racing events on the European mainland have seen a dramatic drop in UK classic vehicle owners and teams competing-a bigger loss to a pursuit Britain has always dominated.
Industry insiders blame the shift on the travel-throttling coronavirus and Brexit, which has made transporting cars and tools across the Channel more costly and onerous. Opinion differs over the long-term impacts of both on the economically valuable sector, with some predicting busy but more insular UK events alongside less competitive races on the continent.
“The British are the number one in terms of classic cars... so without the British, probably you get 50 percent less people and competition,” said owner Calilo Sielecki, whose collection includes a UK-based 1954 Aston Martin DB3S. A two-time runner-up at France’s famous Le Mans races-and a similar model to those driven by James Bond, the British agent in the blockbuster 007 film franchise-it was among the British absentees from April’s Monaco Historic Grand Prix. That event recorded nearly half as many UKbased drivers or vehicles participating compared to 2020.
“We didn’t go... because it was complicated about the pandemic and also because of moving the cars,” Sielecki told AFP from Goodwood’s annual Revival meet, where his son Mathias competed in the DB3S. The 63-yearold Argentinian said taking it to Monte Carlo next year was “not impossible” but the “tough” new transport requirements could prove an obstacle.
‘Damaging’
Carol Spagg, managing editor of Historic Motor Racing News, cautioned it was “too early to tell” whether Britain’s departure from the European Union would have a lasting effect.
“The COVID situation has meant that cars have not been crossing borders in anything like the usual numbers,” she noted. Spagg is keeping a keen eye on next week’s Spa Six Hours in Belgium, another major meet, where a “healthy” 106 British-based drivers are registered for its main endurance race.
Patrick Peter, head of France’s Tour Auto events, noted its signature rally from Paris to near Marseille this month attracted just three UK-based drivers, compared to 18 in 2019. “We don’t know what’s happened for what (reason),” he explained. “But clearly there is some negative impact from Brexit.”
Others argue ending the easy cross-Channel movement of cars on trailers and mechanical items since January could mean permanent and damaging change. “You’ve got to sort out all sorts of paperwork... it’s damaging-mainly on the continent,” said Hans Hugenholtz, a Dutchman living in Belgium who owns a fleet of classic cars, including seven he races.