Do you remember the thrill of passing your driving test, or getting the keys to your first car? Faced with rising fuel costs, range anxiety, commuting queues and fighting for parking, does modern driving feel stressful rather than enjoyable and exciting?
The role of the car in everyday life is now about necessity, with around 34% of UK households owning two or more cars, compared to just 8% in the 1970s. Now a functional tool rather than a symbol of independence and aspiration, our emotional connection with cars is fraying.
Faced with less disposable income and skyrocketing costs, from fuel to insurance, these issues are exacerbated for young would-be drivers today. Just half as many 17-20 year olds hold a full driver’s licence compared to 35 years ago, and 62% of those report anxiety around everyday driving tasks like refuelling, manoeuvring and parking.
Yet contrary to the assumption that younger generations are totally disengaged from car culture, is increasing evidence of renewed interest- on their own terms. Despite growing up in a digital age dominated by smartphones and ride-sharing apps, in research by classic car insurers Hagerty, 60% of Gen Z respondents (born 1997 – 2012) expressed a desire to own a classic car.
Perhaps unsurprising, with online platforms featuring car content, from modified Japanese builds to grassroots motorsport, attracting millions of views. In a world that often feels increasingly digital and sanitised, there is a clear appetite for something more tactile and immersive: engine noise, speed thrills, chamois gleam; the spectacle of live performance driving.
Through club meets, races and demonstrations to track sessions and driving experiences at venues such as Silverstone Circuit, people are discovering accessible ways to reconnect with the glamour, excitement and emotional side of motoring.
Phil Weeden, organiser of major motoring events including April’s upcoming celebration of Japanese performance car culture, Japfest Silverstone, believes this shift is happening in plain sight: “We’re seeing increasing numbers of young people- including women- engaging with car culture. These events are welcoming environments where people can explore, learn and feel part of something, without pressure. That’s incredibly important, especially for newcomers.”
Even historically ‘traditional’ motorsports are coming on board, with Lotus, BMW, Yamaha and the F1 Academy introducing high-profile equal opportunity initiatives, and exciting role models like Jamie Chadwick, Abbi Pulling and Susie Wolff breaking through the glass sunroof.
“Day-to-day driving might feel like a chore for many people now,” adds Phil, who will be welcoming crowds of 20,000 plus to Japfest Silverstone, and partner events TRAX Silverstone and Ford Fair in August. “But when you put them trackside, or give them the chance to experience performance cars up close, that spark instantly relights.”
As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, it seems the future of car culture may lie less in how we travel from A to B, but in how we choose to enjoy the journey.
Upcoming events include Japfest Silverstone, April 19th: https://japfest.co.uk/silverstone/; TRAX Silverstone, August 16th: https://traxshows.co.uk/; and Ford Fair, August 23rd: https://fordshows.co.uk/
