Car lovers, it’s time to step out from behind the wheel and explore some cool car pastimes!

If you’re passionate about cars, you might spend your spare time dreaming of racing in a supercar. Instead of just dreaming, why not turn your passion for cars into something tangible? Here are some hobby ideas for car enthusiasts that involve four wheels and plenty of fun!

Tiny Racers

If you were born in the 90s in Singapore, you would likely remember the Tamiya craze from your school days. These nifty race car models by the Japanese manufacturer are relatively inexpensive (though they can become an expensive hobby for serious enthusiasts) and provide endless fun for adults and kids alike.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself spending hours building your own supercar from scratch or personalising it for extra flair; some Tamiya fans take their pastime a step further by putting their creations to race against others on the tracks – there is a big community of Tamiya lovers of all ages who participate in such races regularly, learning from each other and sharing their love of racing radio-controlled model cars.

Miniature Vehicles, Big Fun

Besides model car racing, Tamiya also makes model cars to build, involving meticulousness and detailing dedicated towards the assembly and the finishing touches to create life-like scaled-down replicas of vehicles.

There are no specific types when it comes to model car building; collectors’ interests can range from classic cars to supercars to handy trucks. What binds model car builders together is the meticulous attention to detail, from the gauge faces to tyre treads, and the eventual accomplishment of completing the models!

However, model car building is an introverted hobby, as most hobbyists will attest, and coupled with lack of exposure, the hobby and its hobbyists are dwindling. With the advent of digital media, less and less young people venture into model car making, so the general trend is dying; only the most dedicated will continue the Tamiya legacy.

Beauty in Motion

Automotive photography is an artistic pursuit that captures the beauty and power of vehicles, immortalising every detail with flair. While snapping photos with a mobile phone is easy, capturing high-quality images of cars often requires the use of professional equipment like high-end camera bodies, expensive lenses and external lighting. This intricacy is all for freezing a moment in time the beauty and soul of the car as the object of desire.

Some photographers enjoy shooting at motor shows, while others thrive on the challenge of photographing cars in motion at races. Regardless of the setting, be it a rocky terrain for an off-roader or a grungy back alley for a supercar, the goal is always the same: to create stunning images that showcase the allure of automobiles in a complementary or even contrasting environment as background.

The Reel Life

Driving simulators are advanced software and hardware setups designed to provide a realistic driving experience for car enthusiasts, albeit without safety risks. This isn’t just about racing friends on a PS5; it’s more akin to a souped-up version of classic arcade games like Daytona USA, complete with sophisticated rigs that replicate the feel of driving, feeling the thrill of driving fast, chasing corners, and experiencing different vehicles.

This hobby can be quite costly, with complete setups often running into thousands of dollars. However, for those with an extra budget and a deep passion for cars, investing in driving simulators offers an exciting way to race and explore various vehicles without the risks and costs of real-life driving.

Raring to race virtually but don’t have the space nor the resources to get your personal simulator? Then head down to AA Centre for a thrilling time at Digital Racing, with two simulators that let your inner car racer out in force. Better still, bring a friend to compete to see who’s the faster driver!

For the Love of Cars

Being a car enthusiast who desire to own cars can be very expensive, and most of us don’t have the real estate to store all those supercars. However, other than buying cars, channelling this passion into car-related pastimes can be just as fulfilling and much easier on the wallet!