Nick Savage, his ’69 Camaro and the spirit of racing’s past

“How did I get started? It was a bit of Walter Mitty syndrome at the age of 40,” says Nick Savage. “I was always interested in the sport and thought, ‘Don’t wait until you are retired to have a go – do it now’.”

That was 1991, when he acquired an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint and began competing in road sports events – driving the Alfa to meetings and, usually, home again. “Back then about half the competitors did that,” he says. “I thought it the essence of club racing – and it’s what I’ve always done.”

He went on to race several historic Alfas, including a 2600 Sprint Coupé. “It was the only car of its kind then competing in Europe, which led to my being invited to compete at the first Goodwood Revival in 1998. I actually crashed it at Goodwood the following year, but was still able to drive home. I’ve usually been able to get back under my own steam – and the AA has agreed to recover me on the three or four occasions I haven’t.”

Savage’s ethos hasn’t changed since he began racing a ’69 Camaro in 2012. “I was absolutely bewitched by the power from day one,” he says. “On the Hangar Straight in an Alfa, you had time to open a newspaper, flick to the crossword and answer a couple of clues before Stowe. In this, you change up and the next corner is already there. It’s fantastic.”

The same can’t be said for its fuel consumption. “I get 12mpg on my way to races,” he says, “and about five once I’m there…”