Very few of us with a passion for old sports cars haven't, at one time or another, daydreamed about racing one.

Most have failed to pursue the notion because of the real or perceived challenges involved.

Money's a big challenge, but many of those who grew up wanting one of those 1950s or '60s MGs or Triumphs or even cars of the 1970s and early '80s (which are now eligible) can now afford to indulge in a toy or two. And many are looking for an activity that will pump a little adrenalin and get the heart beating again.

Racing a vintage car doesn't have to involve a second mortgage or a marriage-threatening time commitment. At least according to Mike Rosen, president of the 250 member Toronto-based Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) and a keen racer himself. He says banging around the track in old cars is, or at least can be, "low-involvement racing."

What Rosen means by this is that the pressure-cooker atmosphere associated with modern racing is absent from the vintage scene. "We're real grassroots racers. There are no corporate sponsors. We don't even allow sponsors stickers on the cars."

And while there are plenty of events -- enough to race year round in North America if you've got the time and money -- vintage racers aren't under any pressure to compete. They race when they feel like it. Most do five or six events a year. And there's nothing of value to win, except glory of course. Winners will usually go home with a trophy, but not at all events.

"It's all about having fun on the track and having a giggle with a bunch of guys after the race," Rosen says. "Unlike some 20-year-old kid in the Ontario Formula Ford championship, we're all aware that, regardless of how well we do, [Formula 1 team boss] Frank Williams isn't calling Monday morning."

It's real racing, though, with all the inherent thrills and dangers involved. You can get seriously hurt, even killed doing this, although major incidents are rare. VARAC makes serious efforts to keep things safe. The cars must be equipped with full protective equipment, fuel cells, roll bars or cages and fire systems. Drivers must wear flameproof suits and approved helmets, and cars are rigorously scrutinized to ensure they are sound.

While the racing can be highly competitive, absolutely no contact between vehicles is allowed. Bump a competitor and you are on probation for 13 months. Do it again and you're suspended for 13 months. "You can be as competitive as you want to be," Rosen says. "But it's definitely a non-contact sport. Over all, vintage racing is safer than most forms of motorsport."

He says this is one of the reasons vintage racing has been one of the fastest growing segments of motorsport for the past 20 years.

To go vintage racing you have to be healthy and reasonably fit. The Canadian Automobile Sports Clubs (under which VARAC runs) insist on a medical, but you don't have to be a perfect specimen or even particularly athletic. To obtain a CASC licence you'll have to take part in a recognized training school session, where you'll learn the basics and get in some practice while being observed.

What kind of car do you choose?

"There are so many classes that people race the cars they love," Rosen says. Virtually anything is eligible, but not every car in the class is going to be competitive and capable of winning if that's important to you.

The three main categories are Vintage, postwar cars up to 1961; Historic, postvintage up to 1972; and Group 70-plus, post-1972 cars up to the early 1980s. The most popular cars are the production sports cars of the 1950s and 60s, but there are also classes for sports racers and open-wheel formula cars.

Finding a car won't be a problem, Rosen says. There are many available and you can find them advertised in various motorsport publications and on VARAC's website.

Rosen says a ready-to-race car, such as an Austin-Healey Sprite or other fairly common sports car can be purchased for $10,000-$20,000. But if you want something like a Bugatti, expect to pay about $1-million. Open-wheel Formula Fords cost $15,000 and up, Volkswagen-engined Formula Vees are less than $10,000. You'll need a trailer, which can cost anything from $500 for an open unit up to $5,000 or more for an enclosed model.

Rosen races a Canada Class open-wheel racer from 1959. It was purchased for $3,000 and he has spent another $12,000 or so on it. He says his running expenses for an average year are under $5,000.

Dunlop vintage-style racing tires cost about a $1,000 a set for the average sports car and can last two or three seasons. Entry fees are $350-$400 a weekend. Driving suit, boots, gloves, helmet cost about $1,000 to $1,500 and up.

About 60 per cent of vintage racers do their own wrenching on their cars, with the rest employing the services of a group of companies that repair and maintain the cars for them. These aren't cheap. Rosen says if you're in the do-it-yourself category there's always plenty of help and advice available from club members. In fact, the camaraderie involved is one of the attractions of vintage racing, he says.

For a first-hand look at vintage racing, you can attend VARAC's 25th annual Vintage Racing Festival at Mosport International Raceway June 25-27. Famous Canadian cars and drivers, a Mini/Sprite challenge and a full weekend of racing are part of the package.

For information about vintage racing: visit the VARAC website at http://www.varac.ca or call Mike Rosen at 416-487-4309.