It was hot in Potsdam on this meteorologically warmest weekend in August. The late summer high "Harald" meant well with the participants and the audience. The third edition of the "24 Tours du Pont" once again offered a high-temperature program.
On August 27 and 29, 2016, the motto was: "let's get rollin'"! And that was to be taken literally. Because they rolled up to Potsdam's Glienicker Brücke, just outside Berlin, in large numbers: more than 200 classic cars, from highly polished club cars to top-class classic concours cars - not forgetting the exquisite selection of historic racing cars from past decades!
It wasn't just the outside temperature of over 30°C that made it sweaty. Many classic car enthusiasts quickly warmed up at the sight of the exquisite rarities and lively petrolhead conversations. However, those who wanted to could take a break from the cars and enjoy the sight of the numerous classic wooden boats cruising past or anchored in the shady spots of the Jungfernsee, right next to the race track.
The Amphicar proved once again that not only boats but also cars can swim.
Saturday - Show day
The show program started at noon with the exhibition of the vehicles in the event park followed by a run-through of the Concours vehicles on the grandstand. Almost at the same time, the classic racing cars were scrutineered in the Park Fermé for the 24 laps of Du Pont on Sunday.
A major highlight in the afternoon was the drive-through inspection of the "Hamburg -Berlin-Klassik" rally, which passed the Potsdam event with well over 150 participating vehicles. If you took a closer look at the start lists, you could even spot one or two media celebrities at the wheel (Tatort actor Richy Müller, TV presenter Sonja Zietlow, figure skater Katarina Witt).
The final event on Saturday was the award ceremony as part of the "Concours du Pont".
A BMW Dixi with Ihle bodywork from 1928 was honored as a particularly authentic vehicle. The best in the "Legendary Sportscars" class was a Mercedes-Benz SSK from 1929.
The winner of the "Grace & Pace of Grand Touring" class was a Mercedes-Benz 500 Nürburg from 1936. In the "The Art of Coachwork Design" class, a Sunbeam Talbot Alpine from 1953 was voted the most beautiful.
And in the "Best of Show" category, the jury chose an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Aerolux from 1955.
Sunday - race day
Sunday was and is the actual event day of the "24 Tours du Pont" and brought a lot of movement into play right at the start. After all public roads around the event site were closed to public traffic until midday, the 1.2-kilometer circuit belonged entirely to the historic sports cars. Depending on age group or brand, the cars started in groups until the evening.
This was not about driving by tenths of a second. The focus was on the joy of historic racing. The Race Du Pont is first and foremost a race among friends and an ode to the glorious Le Mans era. And so, to the delight of the spectators, the cars were driven over the hot asphalt surface, rough cobblestone track and tight bends, sometimes carefully, sometimes with squealing tires.
Celebrities were also in attendance here: among the drivers, actor Claus Theo Gärtner, sportsman Christian Schenk and TV presenter Ulrich Meyer could be seen at work in the cockpit.
Worth a trip
The historic palace city of Potsdam is well worth a visit. Anyone planning a visit to Berlin at the end of August should not miss out on the "24 Tours du Pont". The range of classic vehicles on land and water is huge and the field of participants is becoming increasingly international.
Admission for visitors is free, the program is varied and exclusive. In addition to the event gastronomy, numerous high-quality restaurants within walking distance will cater for your physical well-being. Public parking spaces are available close to the event. The event can also be reached from Potsdam City on the historic streetcar that runs on this day.
If you would like to take part in the "24 Tours du Pont" yourself or find out more, you can find detailed information on the organizer's website.
