Here in the UK, the coronavirus pandemic has meant we’ve been in lockdown since March 23rd. Though measures are currently being eased, staying indoors as much as you can is still being advised.
As a car enthusiast, being indoors isn’t particularly ideal. I haven’t been out driving my car anywhere near the amount of times I used to and driving is, as you can imagine, something I very much enjoy. In speaking to three fellow motoring addicts, we all agreed it’s not an amazing time to be a petrolhead.
Motoring journalist Ryan Hirons said: “I guess right now it’s really a bad time to be anything but especially a car enthusiast if your enjoyment relies on driving your car, going to car shows and generally doing stuff with your car.”
However, there are still plenty of home-based activities car enthusiasts can do to stay entertained while satisfying their motoring interests at the same time. Here are five great examples…
Racing games
For a lot of people, racing games really help fuel a car addiction – particularly before reaching an age of which obtaining a driving licence is possible. This includes myself and I find playing a racing game, especially with a good gaming wheel and pedal setup, is the best way to ‘go for a drive’ without actually going for a drive.
At the moment, Forza Motorsport 7 has been my go-to racer. The graphics are great, the physics are solid and there are plenty of cars and tracks to choose from. This all makes for hours upon hours of car-based fun and entertainment.
Similar compliments can be said for the series’ open world counterpart – the Forza Horizon line of games – of which the fourth instalment, set in good old Britain, is its latest and, arguably, greatest release. Both games are also great if you enjoy tinkering with cars – e.g. engine swaps, weight reduction, tyres and suspension setups, etc.
On the subject of gaming, Ryan said: “I’m channelling my interest in cars through gaming. I’ve got my racing chair and wheel setup. So, video games are helping – not so much simulator stuff, although I have been playing the formula one games.
“When you’re stuck inside in lockdown playing a game it’s nice and fun. It’s sort of like a mental escape.”
Car-related TV shows and movies
Been too busy to binge watch Top Gear before the pandemic began? Well, if you now find yourself at home, bored with time to kill, this is your best chance. That being said, if you’re all Top Geared-out, there is no shortage of car TV shows and movies out there. A show I would recommend to anyone who hasn’t seen it is Hyperdrive – a corny, but enjoyable Netflix series featuring Total Wipeout-type courses but with a focus on cars and driving ability.
Student and car enthusiast Henry Rowden said: “I love the Fast and Furious movies – really any car movie. They’re a great way to pass the time and have some escapism.”
YouTube
While new car reviews and videos which requires going out to film won’t be churned out as often as before, YouTube is still the place to go for hours’ worth of varying car content.
Want to watch someone put the pedal to the metal in a sports car while reviewing it? Chris Harris has tons of great videos. Interested in learning about a car’s quirks and features? Go check out Doug DeMuro.
YouTube is truly a bottomless pit of content and I think it’s the one place I’ve most ended up saying, “wow, is that really the time?”, upon realising how long I’ve spent binging it.
The classifieds
Although overall car sales are naturally taking a hit due to the pandemic, there are still plenty of cars on the classifieds to take a look at. So, if you’re like me and enjoy surfing AutoTrader searching for that dream car, you very much still can.
Sure, new listings may pop up less frequently, but there’s still everything from Fords to Ferraris out there to dream about – still a lot to explore and discover. Find the right car in the right spec and put it straight into that dream garage.
Washing your car
Driving as much as you used to may somewhat be out the window but washing your car doesn’t have to be. It’s a great way of interacting with your car while it’s not getting much use and just sitting wherever you’ve parked it. Plus, this way, when life does go back to normal, your pride and joy will be spick, span and ready to hit the road once again.
Speaking to Ted Welford, a motoring journalist and car valet, said: “I personally have just been cleaning my car and cleaning the family’s cars, more just to keep myself occupied above anything else.
“If you can do it in an outside space without having to be near anyone, it can fill up some time and help keep yourself busy and that’s why I enjoy doing that.”
Other
Apart from these five suggestions, there are other activities us motoring nuts can partake in to pass the time and satisfy our car-related cravings. An activity worth mentioning, pitched by Ryan, include making use of remote-control cars.
Ryan, who actually built his RC Suzuki Jimny from a kit, said: “It’s a bit of a faff but a lot of fun. If you’re looking for a hobby, a remote-control car kit would be a good way to channel an interest in cars.”
Another one to mention is looking at modifications. Similar to searching through the classifieds, if you’re into upgrading your car – or perhaps your dream car – surfing the internet for a new exhaust or set of rims can be a great source of entertainment, escapism and fantasy.
Ted said: “If someone’s wanting to modify their car, perhaps now is a good time to start thinking about different wheels they could put on it. There are all sorts of things you can do to your car. While people have so much time on their hands, it could be worth investigating it.”
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