For three days, from August 4 to 6, 2017, neither particulate matter nor nitrogen oxides were an issue. It was once again allowed to really rattle and stink. Once again, countless four-, six-, three- and even two-wheeled vehicles gathered in Dyck Castle Park. The big star of this year's Classic Days had 6 wheels, 4 rings and 16 cylinders.
The C-Type from Auto Union was the most successful German Grand Prix racing car in 1936 and also set over 30 world records. At the time, the twin wheels were mainly used in hill climbs to ensure traction for the drive wheels.
Great enthusiasm for 16 cylinders
As soon as the hood was opened to bring the engine up to temperature, half the Schlosspark made a pilgrimage towards the Auto-Union. Its location was easy to find, as the gas bangs showed the way like a modern navigation device. Frank Biela, five-time Le Mans winner, was once again allowed to take a seat in the C-Type and demonstrated the performance of the 520 hp racing car with some very skillful drifts.
There was certainly not a single spectator at the side of the track who would have been left cold by this performance. The sinfully expensive kilometers of this unique racing car are worth every single cent, because it shows young people what heroes our ancestors had to be. Top performances not only by the drivers, but also by the engineers and technicians were necessary to make such a great vehicle drive.
Far too much to see
Of course, there was much more to see. So much, in fact, that one day was certainly not enough to see it all. On the one hand, there was the highly interesting special show of ISO-Bizzarini sports cars with rare one-offs, and on the other, the Concours cars as part of the FIVA-A-Concours.
There was also an exhibition to celebrate Ferrari's 70th anniversary. Pre-war cars were brought closer to the public with the large Bentley troupe and a field of cycle cars. Fashion shows and caravans in a camping atmosphere amidst the magnificent flowers of the Schlosspark offered so much spectacle that there was never a dull moment.
Racing legends
In addition to the cars, many personalities from the automobile scene were also present. Walter Röhrl, Heidi Hetzer, Jochen Mass, Karl Wendlinger and Roland Asch were there.
One of them came for the first time and was probably the small but big star of the weekend. He comes from Italy and is immediately recognizable by his headgear, as he has been wearing a cowboy hat for ages and looks like the Marlboro Man in the flesh. A great air of freedom and adventure seems to waft around his face. His white curls and numerous wrinkles make him the type of character that even George Clooney would envy.
He once drove for Enzo Ferrari in Formula 1, but also in the sports prototype with Ickx, Regazzoni and Pace. Later he switched to Alfa-Romeo and in the end he even raced in a MAN truck. The little Italian in the huge truck was probably a picture for the gods, but knowing him, he was probably also fast in it.
Merzario and the Ferrari 156
It's hard to imagine Merzario's connection with the "Sharknose" Ferrari. The Ferrari 156 GP car that Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips drove on his way to the world championship title is one of two replicas. Enzo Ferrari never kept his cars and as for the "Sharknose" models, the 1961 cars were rebuilt and modified for the next season. The Ferrari 156, the most beautiful bathtub in the world, which Merzario was allowed to drive at the weekend on the occasion of the Classic Days still has an original engine, as well as the gearbox from the Mexican Riccardo Rodriguez's car at the time. All the rest had to be completely rebuilt. The result is impressive both visually and in terms of sound.
The first car race that Arturo Merzario was able to watch in person was the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in 1961. There were five (!) of these "bathtubs" at the start. Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, Phil Hill, Riccardo Rodriguez, Richie Ginther and Giancarlo Baghetti were in the superior cars.
Trips was killed in the terrible accident with Jim Clark. The then 17-year-old Merzario was an eyewitness to the accident. However, this observation in no way diminished his enthusiasm for motorsport, because just a few months later, now of age, he was on the grid in a Giulia Sprint at Monza. Like Usain Bolt in his last 800m race, the Italian missed the start and ended up "only" in sixth place. But just one race later in Imola, with the experience from Monza, he was no longer taken by surprise at the start and won his first car race.
In honor of the rally genius
From the Ford Capri RS (1972) to the Audi quattro (1984/85), rally cars from Walter Röhrl's racing career came together.
As always, the champion himself drove the 1981 Porsche 911 and the Audi quattro perfectly and also enjoyed driving across the course. His co-driver at the time, Christian Geistdörfer, took the wheel himself for once and drove the Lancia 037.
The circumnavigator
It's always fascinating to chat with personalities like Heidi Hetzer and then to hear how, as a young lady, she met Frank Sinatra by chance at the airport and, in her uncertainty, first had to ask whether he was Frank Sinatra or Fred Astaire?
Her journey around the world in the "Hudo", with 80 years under her belt and a vehicle that is just as old, is well known. However, the Hudson didn't make the last lap of the castle park as it was struggling with serious radiator problems. But for Heide, it was certainly better to get stranded here than to get stuck somewhere in the loneliness of Mongolia.
Consistent time travel
What is remarkable about the event at Schloss Dyck is the visitors' wardrobe. Many dress in period clothing and display matching paraphernalia on their cars.
In this way, the park becomes a moving museum in which even the children have fun.
Competently organized
Once again, the organization of the Classic Days deserves great praise. Everything worked perfectly and, despite stressful situations, everyone was always treated in a very friendly manner. As every year, the unique Dyck Castle with its parks made the event something special anyway.
A visit to the Classic Days can only be recommended to every classic car enthusiast.
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