So, exactly which race cars are deemed 'Hotrods'?

[ERC]

I am getting a bit tired of the negativity and broad brush attacks on cars that some deem 'Hotrods'.

Why not come out with it and list ALL the cars you seem to think shouldn't be racing at so called classic and historic events? Be specific. Point the fingers and let's have some real facts on the table instead of thinly veiled pointed comments, then we all know where we stand.

Judging by the comments of some contributors, there are only a handful of saloon cars that should even be racing at all and the rest should be confined to club meetings, to mix it with the Subarus, Hondas, Nissan Skylines and Mitsubishis. A good fit there then - Yeah, right. That being the case, I don't see many true classic/historic meetings running at all. An occasional viable single-seater class maybe, but little else.

One of the reasons why some people don't buy into the 100% pure philosophy is because they like the shape of the older cars and fit some limited modern equipment to keep them alive. The pre-occupation of 100% original, right down to bonnet badges, chrome bumpers, chrome trim and original window winding mechanisms, head-linings, rear seats and carpets, gearboxes, etc., is for the concours brigade.

These are cars used for racing, exacting a toll by virtue of wear and tear and sadly, the occasional on track mishap. As cars get older and original spare parts scarcer, particularly trim and gearbox parts, then sometimes, tough decisions have to be made. Many cars in period ran without trims, often had modified bonnets (Austin A40s) or rear ends (Anglias) and all was well. Heck they even fitted a Morris Minor bodyshell to a Ferrari. stuffed Corvette engines into Zephyrs, Ford Twin Cams and Fiat twin cams into all sorts of basic saloons, Oldsmobile V8s into Starlets, rear mounted V8s into Marinas, Skodas and so on.

Since my very first car, I have wanted to modify it and I suspect the same applies to many others, so as long as parts are period, I really can't see what all the fuss is about.

100% original is fine if that is what rocks your boat, but as there is such a massive variety of cars and nothing to be gained by being the fastest around on a very un-level playing field, pragmatism has its place.

So, who will stand up and list each and every specific car they deem unfit to be at a classic meeting? The only cars I personally would list would be those where a modern (post 1977/80?) engine has been fitted to a pre 1977/80 car, but some have been given a dispensation to run only until such times as the (our) grids are over-subscribed and provided it comes from the same manufacturer/country.

This should be fun!

Nissan powered Ford Escort - Clark Proctor? But hey, it ran at the HD festival last year so it must be OK after all.