Hagerty Hosts Inaugural Youth Driving Experience
More than Thirty Youth Attend the Ultimate "Driving Course"
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, July 8, 35 young adults participated in a classic car driving experience designed to highlight the enjoyment of driving a vintage car. During the inaugural Hagerty Driving Experience, the 16- through 20-year-old participants enjoyed classroom and hands-on drive experiences at the Dearborn, Michigan-based Automotive Hall of Fame.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110711/LA33423)
The participants received 30 minutes of instruction in car basics before getting behind the wheel of a classic car for 15 minutes, driving on a closed course. Vehicles included a 1928 Packard Phaeton, 1930 Ford Model A Sedan, 1940 Buick Super Convertible, 1955 Porsche 356 Cabriolet, 1963 Corvette "split window" Coupe, 2011 Camaro SS Convertible and a 2011 Ford Mustang GT Coupe.
Recent research collected by Hagerty showed that young people have less interest in driving and likely possess less driving skill than teens three decades ago. According to the Department of Transportation, only 49% of 17-year-olds have their drivers licenses; a more-than 25% decrease since 1978. Additionally, less than 10% of currently produced vehicles are equipped with manual transmissions, a technology prevalent on classics. Hagerty's program, held on Collector Car Appreciation Day, was developed to expose youth to the pleasures of driving a classic car.
After driving all of the event vehicles, Caleb Birdsley, 15, of Capac, Michigan said, "I already knew how a clutch worked but when they explained it to you individually it made a lot more sense. I wasn't really sure how [driving a classic] was going to be because it takes a little bit to get used to each car to begin with. I wasn't necessarily nervous but more like anxious and curious."
"In order to keep classics on the road for future generations to enjoy, we have to give youth access to these rare cars and teach them the ins and outs of driving such unique vehicles," said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. "The feedback we received was incredible They really seemed to embrace the event."
Hagerty Insurance Agency, LLC. is the leading insurance provider for classic vehicles in the world and host to the largest network of classic car owners. Hagerty offers insurance for classic cars, motorcycles and motorcycle safety equipment, tractors, automotive tools and spare parts, and even "automobilia" (any historic or collectible item linked with motor vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas shipping/touring insurance coverage, commercial coverage and club liability coverage, and a host of hobby and car valuation resources. For more information, call (800) 922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com.
SOURCE Hagerty Insurance Agency, LLC.
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