Classic News
Danny Hopkins on the need to engage brain before throttle
Everything you need to know from the classic newsreel.
This issue should have been a simple celebration of local clubs, and a new type of informal pop-up classic show that everyone can enjoy. Unfortunately events have overtaken us somewhat. Three separate incidents have put these car shows in the headlines over the past month, and we need to talk about it.
On two occasions, showboating drivers have injured bystanders and damaged property, and on a third, onlookers obscured the view of a show-leaving classic owner, causing a near-fatal bus crash. Let’s not kid ourselves, we were all a millisecond away from multiple fatalities. The truth is, if we don’t put our own events in order, then someone else will. Here are five tips. No.1. Don’t be an idiot. If you think that showboating your way away from the front gate of a classic car show is a cool thing to do, think again. Most people are wondering what you are trying to compensate for. No.2. Don’t encourage other people to be an idiot, either. Social media ‘warriors’ standing at the exit gate of a show, egging on departing drivers to do a burn out, are part of the problem. Use a brain cell. No.3. If you are organising an event, try to predict problems. Make sure the entrance/exit is marshalled, put some bollards out and keep people back so the view down the road is clear. No.4. If someone is being an idiot, and you happen to photograph or film the car, don’t put it on social media, send it to the police. No.5. Think about event venues. Try to find somewhere without an obvious drag strip… or if you want to do burn outs, find a drag strip or airfield location where they can be done all day long in absolute safety.
I love a good show. I want to take my kids to them in safety, so they can love them, too. I think we all know what to do.
‘Don’t encourage others to be idiots’