For the casual or first time observer, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between Vintage and Historic racing, it’s just a bunch of cool old cars having fun at the race track. But for race organizations and their competitors, the difference is very important. Lets first compare definitions:Vintage – objects representing high quality from a past time. Historic – objects that are well-known or famous from a point of time in history. When you look into the racing clubs’ definitions of these two terms, you will find some to be very time specific while others retain flexibility. But in general you will find that Vintage racing has earlier cutoff years for their cars ranging from the 1950s to the 70s, while Historic racing may allow more modern cars from a historically significant race series.
Lets compare some clubs:
VARA, the Vintage Auto Racing Association – the primary cutoff year is 1972, with some classes allowing cars from the 80s and 90s.
HSR-West, the Historic Sportscar Racing West club – multiple classes with cutoff years in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
CSRG, the Classic Sports Racing Group – the primary cutoff year is 1967, with some classes having cutoffs in the 70s.
SOVREN, the Society Of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts – SOVREN defines Vintage with a 1962 cutoff, and Historic with a 1972 cutoff.
HMSA, the Historic Motor Sports Association – primary cutoff years in the 50s and 60s, but some classes having cutoffs from the 20s to the 80s.
RMVR, the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing club – the primary cutoff year is 1972, with some classes having cutoffs in the 70s.
CVAR, the Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing corp – the primary cutoff year is 1972, with some classes having cutoff in the 70s and 80s.
HSR, Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd – primary cutoff years from the 50s through 70s, with some classes through the 00s.
SVRA, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association – primary cutoff year 1972, with some class cutoffs in the 80s and 90s.
VARAC, the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada – VARAC defines Vintage with a 1961 cutoff, and Historic with a 1972 cutoff.
So why is 1972 a common cutoff? This is usually considered the end of the pre-emissions carburetor era for production cars. Other technological breakthroughs that define different eras of Vintage and Historic racing are disc brakes, electronic ignitions, inboard suspensions, and wings. You see that the rules vary as much as the clubs do. Some clubs are non-profit, some are corporations, some are monarchies. So if you’re planning on going vintage racing, the most important thing to remember is to check with the club you will be racing with BEFORE you build or purchase your car, and make sure your car is class legal.
Well, the cutoff year for not having to smog your car is different in every state, and some “smog” equipment did start before 1974, like air pumps. But you’re right, the 1972 cutoff can seem a bit arbitrary. Most clubs are raising there cutoff dates these days, anywhere from 1974 to 1979, mostly due to declining entries. Anyways, a 1975 sportscar is now 40 years old, so the definition of vintage changes with the eye of the beholder.
The issue I always see with this 1972 cutoff date is that actually 1974 is the date when emission standards were required. That is why if you own a 1974 or older car you do not have to have a smog test to register your car.