A Track Day for Oldies: Celebrating 25 Years of HMCI

Text: Ameya Vikram Mishra

Images: Abel Ahooja, Ameya Vikram Mishra and the Heritage Motoring Club of India

The Buddh International Circuit, just outside Delhi, was home to the Indian Grand Prix from 2011 to 2013, which saw Sebastian Vettel being crowned a four-time world champion. I was lucky to witness that with my own eyes as a teenager. In fact, Vettel still holds the race lap record at the circuit from the first time he won here back in 2011.

Sadly, Formula 1 never returned to the BIC after 2013. With no news of that changing any time soon, the circuit remains underutilised.

But that doesn’t stop enthusiasts from enjoying this world-class circuit designed by Hermann Tilke, comprising proper elevation changes, tight hairpins, fast corners and even a Monza-inspired Parabolica, aka the Currybolica. Track days are organised regularly, one of which was held last week and, thanks to the efforts of Diljeet Titus and Indrojit Sircar (Sparky), welcomed vintage and classic cars to do laps around the circuit to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Heritage Motoring Club of India in association with BND Motorsport.

Members of the HMCI participated in large numbers with their cars ranging from a rare-as-a-Kohinoor 1929 Bugatti Type 44 owned by Mr. Titus to Bavaria's crown jewel, a 1988 BMW 325i, recently acquired by Sparky. Heck, there was even a Willys CJ2A being driven by Arjun Balraj Mehta and a Series 1 Land Rover owned by Indeep Singh being driven with quite some gusto, the incongruity adding to the charm of the event.

Given the popularity of Mercedes cars in India, it was not surprising that the event was dominated by some of the finest from Stuttgart. Highlights included the 1969 W113 280SL owned by HP Singhania, which was definitely one of the most desirable cars at the event, and the 1968 W111 230S owned by Sparky, wearing an interesting bright blue paint.

But the German dominance didn’t mean that the best from Britain was forgotten. Leading the British contingent was the 1934 Rolls-Royce 25/30 HP owned by Madan Mohan, being driven by his son Daivik. A fast and darty 1966 Mini Cooper in the hands of Anil Sharma looked like it was dressed for the occasion given its touring car racing pedigree, which dates back to the 1960s.

I was driving a Fiat 1100 Lusso from 1961 which, given my proclivity for the Fiat brand, was just perfect for celebrating 25 years of the Club, which has supported and encouraged my enthusiasm for classic cars. With no synchromesh on first gear, it took me some time to get used to the gearchanges. But once that was sorted, the little Fiat was a proper bundle of joy as I rowed through all of its four gears on the BIC's main straight. As I braked for the organizers’ plastic-barrier-created chicane, I downshifted to second, and as I accelerated out of the chicane, I realised it didn’t take much to slide the feather-weight Fiat. No calamities there, but lesson learnt for the next lap.

And that’s the thing about driving old cars on a track built for Formula 1 cars: the experience is so unique that it is unparalleled. The only thing you wish for is that it never ends. It’s addictive, to put it mildly.

The eclectic selection of cars made the BIC track day event resemble a mini Goodwood Revival, which coincidentally was taking place on the same day. And that’s reflective of how far the vintage and classic car culture has come in India. The hobby is growing by leaps and bounds and, contrary to popular opinion, is not limited to just “old rich men”. A sizeable portion of this growth and diversity can be traced back to the inclusive and encouraging environment at clubs such as the HMCI, which has seen women and younger enthusiasts joining and participating in the hobby regularly. Only onwards and upwards from here then!