Sad news

[sorbs]

Trouble is, we've probably all seen tatty 2000s come up for sale and fail to find a buyer who's prepared to restore them. No wonder some choose to send these old cars out with a bang. It's a shame to see rare cars destroyed but very often I suspect that no-one wants to save them.

It's a very affordable form of motorsport and seems popular judging by the crowds it attracts at various events.

Look at all the Triumphs which have been 'broken' by people in the various 'How Many Triumphs' thread. I don't really see the difference if they are dismantled for parts or used for banger racing. Either way, they are no longer for this world. In car form at least.

Obviously there's never an excuse to steal a car of any sort be it taking someone's new Merc for shipment to Africa or pinching a classic to use for banger racing.

The pointy front end of the mk2s certainly looks to be pretty strong!

[sally]

I don't like to see these cars being wrecked banger racing, but the brutal truth is these cars are not wanted by the classic car enthusiasts, there are only so many of us and we can't all keep half a dozen of them. I have an SD1 and dozens of them are still being broken for their engines. Club members moan - but they dont buy them, even though they are now quite rare cars, there are still more cars out there than are wanted. I did once refuse to sell a 2000 to a banger racer who came knocking on the door. I told him I'd rather scrap it..... and indeed that is what I had to do in the end.

[owen1183]

Its a shame when its cars that you have an interest in, but a cheap form of motorsport is encouraging for any one interested......

I'd like to see Triumphs banned from banger racing obviously, but for things like Austin Allegros and marinas... the worlds a better place without them!!! :p

[sally]

Well I don't think so, there are people that love their Marinas and Allegros too, we are not all the same. The world would be a better place without the chavs in the hot hatchs that go racing round MacDonalds carpark when I'm trying to take my 11 year old across it. They ought to go and banger race them! And you can bet your bottom dollar the Marina and Allegro are rarer than the Triumphs already!

[englishbull]

Yes I agree with you there Sally...........................think I enter my pi then into banger racing....... ................joking!

[radders]

They really are the scum of the earth. The whole lot should be strung up

I take offence at your comments. I used to race a number of years ago and I have friends that still do. I wouldn't class any of us as 'scum of the earth' as you put it.

We all have jobs, own our own houses, pay tax, council tax and live perfectly legitimately probably in the same way as you do!

Does that make us 'scum of the earth' because we race old cars that nobody else wants? I think not!

[Rob B]

They really are the scum of the earth. The whole lot should be strung up

I take offence at your comments. I used to race a number of years ago and I have friends that still do. I wouldn't class any of us as 'scum of the earth' as you put it.

We all have jobs, own our own houses, pay tax, council tax and live perfectly legitimately probably in the same way as you do!

Does that make us 'scum of the earth' because we race old cars that nobody else wants? I think not!

I agree my comment was a little harsh, i had been reading another thread on banger racing on another forum that had got me riled up so it kinda spilled over on here for which i apologise. I certainly mean no personal offence to anyone, its just that i simply cannot condone the waste of classic cars in this manner. Whilst you and your friends may be honest people out to race for fun the sad truth is a lot of banger racers steal these cars that are often cherished examples from peoples garages and driveways. I retract my comment, i realise it was unfair and i apologise but i stand by my opinion that banger racing should be made illegal.

[Andy Thompson]

Happy that banger racing exists - how many enthusiasts versus car built? Sad that good cars get raced but if they did 40mpg we might have more takers not happy with people who steal my 1973 Emerald 2500PI to race or sell to race - they WERE the scum of the earth -

[Rob B]

Happy that banger racing exists - how many enthusiasts versus car built? Sad that good cars get raced but if they did 40mpg we might have more takers not happy with people who steal my 1973 Emerald 2500PI to race or sell to race - they WERE the scum of the earth -

Yeah and its that element that prompted my comment. I also know several people who have had cars stolen and then ruined in banger races. So once again, apologies for any offence caused, it was just emotion boiling over and i didnt mean to tar everyone with the same brush.

[Mike Stevens]

I Agree with Sally in that the term 'classic' is more to do with how we percieve the cars, rather than the cars themselves. A classic to one is not always a classic to another and vice-versa.

I don't dislike banger racing - and have been to a few meetings and they are quite fun. However, it's always a shame to see a good 'classic' being demolished. But, as said before, if nobody else wanted the car for a 'classic', then why not.

A few years ago I had a 1500TC (the RWD version). It had been Ziebarted from new, had a few rust problems, but was solid, with an MoT etc. I had to give it away. Nobody really wanted it, even in the Dolomite (etc) club.

I think the banger racers like our cars 'cos they are strong and a few years ago they were plentiful. That is not the case now so maybe why more are being stolen for the sport.

Moral - get a good security system!

Cheers,
Mike.