Make dad’s heart race: A Father’s Day feature

Cars have filled a special place in the lives of the male population since the dawn of the 20th century: they like to drive them, listen to them, race them and even shine them.

So if you're looking for a gift this Father's Day, why not give the socks and jocks a rest in favour of engine blocks and wheel chocks?

Has he longed to camp at the top of the infamous mountain at the Bathurst 1000, twitched for track time or dreamt of cruising in a convertible on a coast road?

With Father's Day approaching, Drive Life has hunted down a selection of gift ideas that are sure to have the car nut wiping a tear from his eye on Sunday morning.

There are plenty of websites offering adrenalin-fuelled days for the car fan. Several companies offer track days that allow your dad to strap himself into the seat of a home-grown Ford or Holden racing car and feel the might of a throbbing V8 at the mercy of his right foot.

For the racing purist after an open-wheeler experience, there's the chance to drive a Formula Ford open-wheeler, while dirt-road junkies are catered to with rally car and off-road buggy courses in private forest circuits.

For the more sensible dad, there are defensive-driving courses, while for the would-be weekend warrior, there are advanced courses that hone specialist driving techniques with a view to putting them to the test on a circuit or hill climb.

If the old man's a bush-going type, there are four-wheel-drive courses to equip him with the skills necessary to tackle the outback with confidence.

If your dad's already been bitten by the speed bug, there are a range of bring-your-own-car track days that provide an empty racetrack and the appeal of no speed limits or speed cameras.

Website adrenalin.com.au has a range of options from $50 to $7000.

Does your dad fancy a Ferrari? Lust over the latest Lamborghini? Or pine for the precision of a Porsche? If the idea of track racing doesn't do it for him, then why not let him live his millionaire dream and rent an exotic car for a day instead? There are specialist rental companies nationwide with just about every type of jaw-dropping, head-turning modern supercar.

Prices vary according to the car and insurance excesses can be off-putting, so it's worth checking to see whether he's happy with the level of liability exposure. We found a Lotus Elise from $495 a day or $1238 for the weekend, while Lamborghini's V12-powered Murcielago costs from $3800 a day or $9500 for an expensive weekend.

Porsche's track-focused 911 GT3 will set you back about $850 a day or $2200 for the weekend. Weekend rates are typically from Friday afternoon until Monday morning. Expect insurance excesses between $10,000 and $20,000 for an at-fault accident, so read the fine print.

If your dad is one of those men who reminisce about the good old days when sex was safe and motor racing was dangerous, then the Muscle Car Masters at Eastern Creek Raceway is a must-do for Father's Day. It has quickly become a popular annual event and it's easy to understand why.

It's a celebration of what most dads (and sons) consider the golden age of motoring in Australia. Names such Monaro, Torana, GTHO, Charger and Mustang get another chance to shine, along with the racing legends who tamed them on the track.

The list of stars attending - and most are racing, too - this year includes Jim and Steven Richards, Allan Moffat, Bob Jane, Colin Bond, Leo Geoghegan, Glenn Seton, Harry Firth, Frank Matich, Fred Gibson and John Bowe.

The program for Sunday includes races for cars from the 1960s, '70s, '80s and '90s, a show'n'shine, hot laps and a meet-and-greet session. Entry costs $40 and includes free access to the grandstand as well as entry to the paddock so you can get up close to the cars and have a chat with the drivers.

If you've left it late to decide on a present then the new documentary Senna is a sure-fire last-minute lifesaver. The story of Brazilian formula one legend Ayrton Senna has been captured in this beautifully made film.

It has received critical acclaim worldwide and has been hailed as a movie not just for motor-racing buffs but anyone with an interest in sport or human stories.

It's not your traditional documentary, either.

There are no ''talking heads'', just voice-overs from key players in Senna's life and career.

Most of the story is told by Senna through video archives. There are some moving scenes involving Senna and his father, who introduced his son to motor racing when he was a boy.

It's an Australian institution, so what better present for your dad than tickets to this year's Bathurst 1000 next month?

It may not be the race that stops the nation but it has more horsepower and has been a father-son bonding experience for many generations. Even the drivers have enjoyed some memorable father-son moments in the race, with Dick and Steven Johnson and Jim and Steven Richards sharing the weekend in the past.

You can either go just for race day or get some time off work and make a long weekend of it.

And why not combine it with that traditional bonding experience, the camping weekend?

The top of the mountain has earned a bad reputation over the years but a lot has changed recently after crackdowns by the police and organisers.

One must-do experience at Mount Panorama - even if you don't go for the race - is the museum at the end of Pit Straight.

It has a great collection of cars and memorabilia from throughout the race's history.

Visit v8supercar.com.au for details on tickets and where to find accommodation.

If the big items are outside your budget, you could try one of these gift options instead.

Keen to clean: Every petrolhead dad loves to keep his pride and joy in concourse condition, so why not treat him to a few detailing products from Meguiar's? Better yet, why don't you do it for him? See meguiars.com.au.

Remote-control cars: Remote-control cars have come a long way since the old Jet Hopper. Prices range from $100 to $250 for a quality, low-end petrol RC car to $1500 for the duck's guts. Electric power for amateurs and "nitro" for seasoned professionals. See rchobbies.rtrk.com.au.

Super model: Think of a car and a die-cast scale model probably already exists, complete with exquisite detailing. What better way to complement dad's beloved real thing. Expect to pay between $150 and $400 at hobby shops.

Bum steering: If your dad is a keen Gran Turismo 5 racer then improve his lap times with a steering wheel for his PlayStation3. There's even feedback to simulate bumps and crashes. From $190.

''Man Cave' art: No proud garage or "man cave" is complete without obligatory automotive memorabilia such as old sheet-metal posters and neon signs that hark back to the glory days. Typically they're found at bric-a-brac swap meets and on eBay.

Dude, where's my keys?: Some key finders are either a receiver or a transmitter but the Find It All key-finder tags are both, so if you have one, it can also find your mobile phone, wallet and keys. Priced at $60.