The participants in the "Battle of the Dwarves" arrived with several dozen vehicles to live up to their reputation as the sprint series with the most participants in Germany. But the visitors could not only see masses on the race track. They were also offered class in the form of exciting racing action on the track.
Swiss driver takes first pole position of the year
Even after the second qualifying session, it was clear that once again there was no way around the fast Minis from the British Car Trophy at the top of the overall standings. Swiss driver Gregor Nick secured the first pole position of the year. Followed by Rainer Klockenhoff in a Mini and Christoph Wilde in his Simca Rallye II from the 1300 Histo-Cup, all of them were well-known names at the top. Herbert Wein jr. was 4th in his Mini ahead of the fastest NSU TT, driven by Andreas Vielgut.
The fastest of the Abarth Coppa-Mille started from 16th on the grid. Hubert Nagl had skillfully driven his Fiat Abarth 1000 TCR to pole position in the Coppa-Mille.
Pole setter set back by spin
On Saturday, the time had finally come. At midday, the 44-strong field started its first championship race in dry weather conditions. Gregor Nick, who was fastest in practice, was taken by surprise at the start by the onrushing Herbert Wein jr. and had to fend off the pursuers pushing behind him in a battle for second place.
This resulted in a spin on his part, which threw him back into the midfield. However, with a strong fighting spirit and driving skills, he regained second place overall in the course of the race, but was unable to catch up with the winner of Race 1, Herbert Wein jr. on a Mini, as he was able to drive away from the field unhindered at the front from the start.
Christoph Wilde followed in 3rd place overall as the winner of the 1300 Histo Cup in a Simca. He had changed his engine after the practice session due to some technical problems.
The fastest NSU was Andreas Vielgut in 4th place, while Hubert Nagl was waved off as winner of the Abarth-Coppa-Mille.
Not to be forgotten was Thomas Souschek in his Renault 5 Alpine in 26th place overall. It was the first race start for the car, which had been rebuilt over the winter. Unfortunately, he was the only starter in his division of the R5 Histo Cup this weekend.
2nd race - difficult weather conditions
The second race on Saturday afternoon was no less exciting. Having started in dry conditions, light rain set in as the race progressed. In combination with a slightly oily track in some places, it was relatively difficult for the drivers towards the end.
But right from the start: Mini driver Herbert Wein sr., who started the race from 6th on the grid, was the lucky winner of the day. Right from the start, he was able to establish himself in the leading group and take victory in the adverse conditions and tough but always fair battles. Christoph Wilde and his Simca Rallye II took second place and won the 1300 Histo Cup. He showed the experience he has gained from several outings in the Youngtimer Rally Trophy. Much to the delight of the spectators in attendance, he drove across or drifted through the Hockenheim Motodrom several times.
Vielgut, nothing good
NSU driver Andreas Vielgut, who started Race 2 with the frustration of missing out on the podium in Race 1, was the unlucky man of the race this time. Starting from 4th place, he spun in the opening laps and had to chase the field. His race to catch up ultimately led him to 10th place. The winner of the NSU TT Trophy was Alex Schneider in 10th place overall.
3rd on the overall winner's podium was the Swiss Gregor Nick on a Mini, closely followed by the winner of the first race Herbert Wein jr. Christoph Hürter was waved off in 17th place. He can therefore be celebrated as the winner of the Abarth-Coppa-Mille with his Fiat 127.
All participants agreed that it was a successful start to the new season, which will continue in May at the Nürburgring Classics.
Presumably with even more participants. Three vehicles were unable to take part because they were exhibited at the "Battle of the Dwarves" stand at the Techno Classica trade fair, which took place in Essen at the same time.
