If you love vintage cars and if, like many of us, you're also a motor racing fan, you have to appreciate The Vintage Racing League. It advertises itself as "the world's largest online community for people that love vintage cars" and I'm not about to argue with that claim. Nevertheless I'm often surprised, when chatting with fans of old cars, to learn how many are unaware that vintage cars are regularly driven in competition. Those who go to great lengths to keep their hobby cars spotless and free from damage might find it hard to conceive that owners would take such risks but on the other hand, race cars were built to be raced, so why not?

The sports media, of course, rarely covers such events, which makes it difficult to keep up to date with schedules. Chances are vintage racing is happening at a track near you but you wouldn't know it if you depend on your local newspaper or TV station. That's why I recommend bookmarking the vintage racing site which, by the way, is chock full of information about racing history. The interactive feature also means that enthusiasts can share comments and suggestions about places to see and visit.

I had my first taste of vintage racing during a 4-year stint in the UK and was astonished at the level of competition. It's not a parade, folks, it's real racing, with the drivers holding back just enough to avoid massive shunts, though the races are not without spins, rolls, and other unplanned off-track excursions. Returning to North America I witnessed similar competitions at Laguna Seca and Watkins Glen. In mid-July I'll be attending a Westwood reunion at Mission Raceway in BC. You can admire race cars in museums or watch lovely old cars in cruises, but until you've seen and heard vintage cars racing in anger, you have yet to rewind your personal time machine.