Inspired by the discussion in the 2016 Le Mans thread.
You're given an afternoon of perfect weather at your favorite race track. At your disposal are three race cars of your choosing.
What do you bring, and where? You choose one from the following classes: Legacy, Lifetime, and Modern. The main limitation is that the car must have been raced competitively at a high level of motorsport in its day. You can't just pick your favorite car and cage it. Can be open wheel, GT, prototype, dragster, motorcycle, whatever. The secondary limitation is to be honest about your own limits; I'd love to drive a modern F1 car but at 6'4" 280lbs it's probably not going to happen so you won't see any on my list.
Legacy class: Pre-1970, the foundation upon which all we know was built.
Lifetime class: 1970-2015, the cars most of us grew up with and admired first hand. Cars that qualify for Modern are excluded from Lifetime.
Modern class: Cars that ran last year or are eligible to run in 2017.
Venue: Wherever you want to open them up, doesn't have to be sanctioned. Road courses, ovals, drag venues, salt tracks. All three must run at the same place as it's only one afternoon.
My selections:
Legacy:
1952 Mercedes W194 (300SL)
This class is huge and features all the iconic rides that were there at the infancy of F1 and Indy, but I've chosen the king of Le Mans, Nürburgring, and the Mille Miglia. It's cramped and hot and only 175hp but I don't care.
Honorable mentions: 1951 Alfa Romeo 159, Richard Petty's No. 43 1967 Plymouth Belvedere
Lifetime:
'95 McLaren F1 GTR
This selection was almost painfully hard. So many great choices it's almost unfair to have to choose. The McLaren is such a low production and significant piece of racing history that I couldn't pass up an afternoon with it. I know it's cliche, but LOOK AT IT! That 3.0CSL was the hardest one to toss by the wayside.
Honorable mentions: '71 Dodge Charger Super Bee, '73 BMW 3.0CSL, '99 BMW V12 LMR, Ferrari F430 GT2, BMW Z4 GTE, Dodge Viper GTS-R
Modern:
Ferrari 488 GTE
It's a modern extension of the F430 which I still have feelings for. Truthfully I think the C7.R would be the best ride but I have a feeling someone else may jump in that seat...
Honorable mentions: Corvette Racing C7.R, Porsche 911 RSR, Ginetta G55 GT3.
Venue:
VIRginia International Raceway
It's huge, forgiving, and is in a pastoral setting that makes you forget the rest of the world. Lots of configurations and enough technical corners to get the most from these three cars.
What's your Ultimate Track Day?