CityLife

On your marques at Oulton Park

IF I had a precious 1930s Lagonda in my garage, that's where it would spend most of its days - apart from the ritual polish on the drive come Sunday morning.

Every time I took such an elegant automotive aristocrat out on today's congested roads, I'd be living in fear of a stone chipping the coachwork or, worse still, some idiot in a rusting 1980s banger crashing into it.

I know what would be the last thing on my mind - hurling the venerable beast around a racing circuit at more than 120mph without the modern trappings of high-speed motoring.

But for the owners and drivers of these classics - and the spectators who turn out in their thousands - that's the thrill of it all.

David Hine, from Prestbury, only the third owner of his sports model 1935 4.5litre Lagonda, resplendent in British Racing Green, sums up the appeal: "We're not interested in these cars just because they're old, but because they have survived on their merits in competition."

Vintage

And he insists: "Vintage racing is much more of a spectator sport because the drivers can be seen working hard at the wheel. These cars have to be driven without seatbelts, spoilers, disc brakes or power steering and it takes quite a bit of physical exertion."

He's philosophical about the prospects of pranging such precious metal. "Look, it's safer on the track because everyone is going in the same direction and they're concentrating . . . not chatting to a passenger or talking into a mobile phone."

Besides, adds Alan Brown, there's a whole industry out there supplying spare parts, from body panels to special tyres.

Alan, from Delph, near Oldham, cares for an historic 1929 Invicta bought six years ago by J D Arthurs, of Dobcross. The rare 4.5litre car was raced at Le Mans by the pre-war driver Sammy Davis and is still capable of more than 100mph "with a following wind".

The Boulogne & Hawthorn Trophies Race Meeting at Oulton Park, Nr Tarporley, will bring more than 250 vintage and historic racers to the circuit.

Enthusiasts reckon there are fewer better places on earth than the rolling circuit of Oulton Park to hear the bark of the finest vintage cars in the country, from marques such as Alvis, Bentley, MG, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Frazer Nash, Riley, Aston Martin, Delage, Morgan, and ERA.

Congleton

Tim Gresty from Astbury, near Congleton, will be driving his 1931 Lagonda 2-litre speed model, in which he lapped Le Mans circuit at 70mph last year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the marque's victory in the legendary 24-hour race.

The car sold new for é720 - a small fortune 75 years ago. A similar model recently fetched é50,000 at auction, but Tim has no qualms about entering races, rallies and challenging hill-climbs in it.

"You wouldn't get much Ferrari for é50,000," says Tim and, besides, because these old cars are relatively old tech, they're not wildly expensive to repair and maintain.

He adds: "I changed all the brake linings myself last week for é270. "

Tickets for the Vintage Sports Car Club's Mike Hawthorn Memorial Trophy Meeting at Oulton Park on Saturday, June 10 are é15 in advance via 0870 950 9000 or www.oultonpark.co.uk or é20 on the day. Practice starts at 9.30am; first race 1.30pm.