The Crittenden Automotive Library

A Marriage Made In The Paddock

A Marriage Made In The Paddock

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
October 5, 2013

One of the dangers of planning a wedding to a petrolhead is the worry that he or she won’t turn up on the day because of a double-booked diary date at a motor racing track, previously unmentioned. You could of course get married in the week but usually work commitments prevent that. You could get married late in the day after the sport but who wants a new spouse sunburned or windblown and reeking of burgers and cheap lager? The blokes are just as bad. It’s a thorny issue.

Thankfully some well organised folk at a famous British motor racing circuit recently came up with a genius solution. Get married at the track! Brilliant - all the boxes ticked in one. The bridal march up the aisle can be accompanied by the sound of track day specials flying off into the scenery or practising BTCC cars at full chat. Who could ask for more on their wedding day? Mendelssohn's Wedding March is so last year.

Many entrepreneurial owners have opened the doors of impressive halls or conference areas at the heart of their circuits. Now one at least has obtained the official approval to host civil partnerships and weddings. What a great idea for motor sport fans; fun and unique. No doubt the venues can be customised to taste and the guests will have scenic views of the track and the chequered line. After the ceremony, all the guests - instead of receiving a party bag - could be taken for a ride around the track at high speed. The prospects for a special day are endless.

DriveWrite doesn’t know anyone who has yet experienced this but it seems like just the sort of thing for a modern exchanging of rings. Most brides would struggle to get into a Ferrari wearing a conventional dress but who said marriage was easy? Furthermore, it doesn’t have to stop there. Whole new vistas for honeymoons come to light.

Instead of hitting the beaches, Spain boasts several motor racing circuits where lovers can while away many happy hours or perhaps, for the more daring, how about hurtling your Fiesta over the jumps of the Ouninpohja rally stage in Finland after tucking in to a wedding breakfast of pickled herring? These are the memories you cherish forever.

More practical couples could perhaps go on car maintenance courses. After all, marriage is about sharing - why should this not include vehicle maintenance or the detailing of paintwork or even popping down to the shops to select a pressure washer? It’s all about sharing. Such is the stuff happy marriages are made of.

As you travel the road of life together secure in the knowledge that the oil is freshly changed and there’s some hand cleanser in the boot, always remember this - the family that tinkers together stays together.

I'm sure Mrs Drivewrite would agree, if she were here. Taking extra lessons from Fabio, her Argentinian Tango instructor apparently.