Photo Gallery «Picture story AvD OGP 2017 - 45 years old and still going strong»

Name: BMW M1 1981
Brand: BMW

The 45th AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix took place at the Nürburgring from August 11 to 13, 2017. Over 500 vehicles, from small Formula Juniors to Porsche 917s, competed in more than 20 races and regularity tests on the Grand Prix circuit. 46,000 spectators came to the Nürburgring despite the mixed Eifel weather. This picture story shows the atmosphere and events on site and compares them with the Oldtimer Grand Prix around 40 years ago.

Saddle up the oldies, we're off to the Nürburgring for the AvD OGP!

The OGP celebrated its 45th birthday and the Ford Cosworth V8 its 50th anniversary

The first OGP took place in 1973, at that time still under the name "Renn- und Industrieveranstaltung". In 1979, the grandstands were still really full.

Today, everything seems a little more sterile.

It took a whole day for the estimated 1324 Porsches to find their parking space and then ...

... neatly divided into groups, presented in rank and file.

Everywhere there were signs and whistles to ensure law and order.

The typical Eifel weather showed itself from its very best side. While it was still really cold and rainy on Saturday, the warm sun came out again on Sunday.

At least the trophies were well protected in the dry, ...

... while the cars were drenched by the rain.

Rubber boots were in short supply that day.

But then it finally really got going - Le Mans start ....

Real F1 racing cars up close, even to touch, is something that is very rare.

Today, everything is usually cordoned off and of course there is a "danger to life" everywhere.

There were many slips on the wet track, ...

Oil stains were particularly evident on the wet asphalt and ...

... pointed out that old cars always need to be repaired. The Maserati 8C didn't want to do anything at all in the weather, ...

... while the ex-Tom Pryce Shadow warmed up the cold Eifel with his inner heat.

Some ran quite well at first, but then didn't want to anymore.

Large starting fields led to a lot of traffic on the track, ...

... everywhere they fought and defended wheel to wheel.

The fans were naturally delighted with the brilliant racing action.

In 1979, the old Nürburgring "start-finish loop" with south and north hairpin bends was still used.

The changes to today's Grand Prix circuit are clearly visible.

... you almost feel like you're in a zoo today.

There have always been accidents, but back then the spectators were still standing at the side of the track in "mortal danger".

The cars became faster and the impacts were of course much more violent.

Missed braking points have led to many colleagues ending up offside, and the departures ...

... caused significant consequential damage.

But it's nice to see that even smaller and weaker vehicles like this Rosengart ...

... or in 1979 this very special part, ...

... but hopefully they will all come back to the ring next year.