Collectors & Aficionados
The way we raced
In the 1960s, young people who wanted to race had to find a friendly mechanic to modify their cars and take them to the Prepared Touring racing class, open to production cars. Established drivers also competed, and cars were grouped by engine capacity.
There were no go-karts in those days, and although there existed Formula Junior cars, these were already aimed at semi-professionals. In the 1960s, if you wanted to race, there was only one thing for it. You had to find a friendly mechanic willing to soup up the car you used to get to university, and then take it racing, without saying anything to your parents of course! This trend gave rise to the “Prepared Touring” racing class, open to production cars.
The small Fiat 600 transformed by Carlo Abarth into the unbeatable 1000 TC
This kind of racing took place all over Europe and it even brought to light young talents ripe for professional racing. Without the possibility to cut their teeth in karts and single-seater racing cars, kids were usually old enough to have a driving license (adults basically) by the time they were finally able to start racing, and those who showed a gift for it even went on to compete at Formula 1 level.
