The 51st "Academic" 2018 - the rapid success story, without perfection

Name: Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1976
Brand: Alfa Romeo

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Created on November 8, 2018

Text:

Daniel Reinhard

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

BMW 318i Compact (1998) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Wings up to the start - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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The sticker for the occasion - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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It doesn't always have to rain ... - 51st academic event at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Orderly pre-start - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Not everything always went smoothly - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Matching the context - historic safety vehicle - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Column traffic in the evening light - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Everything you need for a successful race - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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There was no Chrono Package back then ... - 51st academic event at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Everything perfectly organized - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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In progress - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Carbon elements on the classic? - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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The right advertising in the pits - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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This Peugeot 205 GTI has also seen better times ... - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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A star must not be missing - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Battle scars on the Alfa - with a greeting from the competitor - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Battle scars on the Volkswagen - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Battle scars on the BMW - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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There's nothing like the right look - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Catering is taken care of - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Racing makes you tired - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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A bit crumbled, this good Beetle engine - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Well shod, this Alfa 75 - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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The main thing is that it lasts ... - 51st academic event at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Hot tires stick better, even in amateur sport - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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The art of improvisation is in demand - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Modern Porsche wheels for the old Beetle - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Even more Porsche rims on the seventies Beetle - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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These stickers are called "bumper stickers" in the States - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Did it need this warning? - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Important warning - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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No objection possible - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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You don't always have to buy everything ... - 51st academic event at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Without words - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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VW Beetle (1968) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Well-traveled and covered - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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If you're a real fan, you also label your steering wheel - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Team communication? - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Pressurized - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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BMW 323i (1978) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Opel Speedster (2001) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato 1600 (1974) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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BMW 2002 TI (1971) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint (1979) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Mini Cooper (1970) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 (1982) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo GTAm (1972) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV (1972) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce (1968) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 TI (1968) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Fiat Ritmo 130 TC (1984) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT (1966) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo 2000 GTAm (1971) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 116 (1978) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo GT 1600 Junior (1972) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Giulia (1969) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint (1967) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo GT 1750 (1971) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Nuova Super 1300 (1975) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint (1984) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo GTV 6 (1984) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Veloce (1967) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo 75 (1985) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Berlina (1976) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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VW Golf (1982) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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BMW 323i (1992) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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BMW 320i (1992) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

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It really does still exist, motorsport as it was back then. Nothing is driven to perfection and absolutely clinically clean. No, for once you can see racing cars with various rust dents or held together with cable ties. The main thing is that the brakes work and the engine is a lot more powerful than the developers intended. Tires cannot be constantly adapted to the respective asphalt temperature, because you drive with what is available.

The art of improvisation is in demand - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

A helmet is enough, the fireproof overall can stay at home. The main thing is that it's fun for everyone.

Back to the beginnings

Back in 1971, things were already going well on the small circuit of the Hockenheimring: the silver 450 SLC AMG Mercedes shot around the track. The eight-cylinder engine roared violently. AMG founder and Mercedes tuner Hans Werner Aufrecht was satisfied - the 375 hp bullet is one of the biggest, most powerful and fastest racing cars in its class. The power steering and three-speed automatic transmission made the car innovative and the driver had hardly any work to do apart from braking.

But who was behind the wheel of the Mercedes in 1971? No one with a big name. Even back then, the "Academic" at the Hockenheimring offered hands-on motorsport, driving pleasure for everyone and a safe opportunity to test your own driving skills on a racetrack.

Success story for over 50 years

For over 50 years, "das Akademische" has been a meeting point for both occasional drivers and the true greats of motorsport history. At no other event have celebrities such as Hans Werner Aufrecht, Dieter Basche, former racing driver and Audi motorsport boss, Günter Irmscher, rally driver and Opel tuner, and many more been gathered together with all the "no names".

BMW 318i Compact (1998) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

At no other event were and are mechanics, journalists and motorsport enthusiasts allowed to whip around the track just like the professionals. And we owe it all to students, all members of the "Akademische Motorsportgruppe Stuttgart" association at the time, who realized their dream of driving around the legendary Hockenheimring for the first time in 1966. The appropriate event was organized entirely on their own initiative. Initially organized by students for students, motorsport celebrities soon began to enjoy the student event.

Jochen Neerpasch (BMW Head of Sport) and Michael Kranefuss (Ford Head of Sport) took on the 2.6-kilometer track.

Not a typical car race

"The Academic" soon became an integral part of German motorsport. And this despite the fact that it is not a typical car race, because according to the highest German motorsport authority (ONS), it is not allowed to be. This is why the students send the racing cars onto the track individually.

Alfa Romeo GTAm (1972) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

Nevertheless, "the Academic" developed into a real spectacle and is still as exciting as the wheel-to-wheel races today. The reason for this is undoubtedly the timekeeping, which is not the main focus, but provides an incentive to outdo each other. To this day, however, the aim is to develop a safe and consistent riding style.

At the end of each fall

For over 50 years now, "the Academic" has brought the motorsport season to a close at the end of fall, and November 3 was no different.

Alfa Romeo GTV 6 (1984) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

Once again, the cars and driving maneuvers made motorsport fans' hearts beat faster: the small circuit at the Hockenheimring was of course closed off for this event and car brands such as Alfa Romeo, Porsche, BMW and VW had their own pits as usual.

A lot of work, a lot of fun

There was work on every corner and yet not everyone made it to the finish line. Some were soon stranded with driving errors or major engine damage. Young and old alike were enthusiastic, even though nothing was at stake.

BMW 323i (1978) - 51st Academic at the Hockenheimring 2018

Nevertheless, many cars were modeled on the great role models, but there were also completely original creations at the start. Stickers of all kinds adorned the usual places where sponsor lettering is usually displayed. Everything was extremely likeable and wonderfully uncommercial.