North East Connected

MOTORISTS TURN THEIR BACKS TO THE FUTURE

A decline in new car sales, despite modern motors brimming with state-of-the-art technology, contrasts to more-and-more motorists booking classic car driving experiences as drivers yearn to get back to basics advises www.trackdays.co.uk

And while some new cars can have as many as 50 buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard, it is bookings for classic cars as old as 40 years or more, and with basic controls, that are burgeoning as exasperated drivers have had enough of modern technology which is hampering the driving experience.

Indeed, 2018 looks set to be deeply worrying for sales of new cars, with last September in particular being disastrous as it was the worst September for 10 years, with the allure of state-of-the art motoring not even tempting drivers to part with their cash.

Even more recently, October figures show a decline of almost 3 per cent compared to the same month in 2017.

Yet figures released by www.trackdays.co.uk show a marked increase in classic car driving experience bookings at places such as Heyford Park of around 10 per cent over the last four years, which has surged to nearly 20 per cent in the previous 12 months and shows no signs of slowing down. The most popular classic booked to drive is a Jaguar E-Type.

Dan Jones, operations manager at www.trackdays.co.uk, said: “New cars boast state-of-the-art technology and are more akin to being computers on wheels.

“However, many people find all the buttons and touch-screen technology confusing and distracting, plus it takes away from the pure driving experience which can only come through driving a classic car.”

Meanwhile, the actual prices of some classic cars are now fetching astronomical prices compared to their modern equivalents

Fast Fords from the 1980s and 1990s in particular continue to demand high prices.

Only recently a 1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4×4 fetched a world-record price at auction, being sold for more than £50,000. Compare this to a modern equivalent, the Focus RS, with all the latest gizmos and gadgets, which is available for just over £30,000.

Dan added: “It would appear that motorists are turning their backs to the future. Getting behind the wheel of a classic car can provide a driving experience in its purest form, allowing the car to do the talking rather than relying on modern technology.”

For more information about TrackDays, which also offers a huge variety of driving experiences, as well as classic car driving experiences including a Jaguar E-Type, Ford MK1 Escort, AC Cobra and Austin-Healey 3000, visit www.trackdays.co.uk

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