This year's North Sea Cup took place in Zandvoort (NL) on the weekend of September 9-10. The event included races in the Youngtimer Trophy, the Battle of the Dwarves and also races in Germany's oldest historic racing series, the Historic Touring Car and GT Trophy (HTGT).
Touring cars from the 60s and 70s are at home in the "Battle of the Dwarves". This is divided into four groups: the Abarth Coppa Mille, the British Car Trophy, the NSU TT Trophy and the Histo Cup.
The drivers of the "Battle of the Dwarves" began their weekend with a training session on Saturday morning that was very wet at the beginning but offered a slightly drying track towards the end. At times with a lead of 6 seconds, Christoph Wilde was in pole position with his Simca Rallye II at the end of practice. Followed by two Minis from the British Classic Car Trophy and the fastest NSU in 4th place, the first race began late on Saturday afternoon.
1st race - Saturday
Right from the start, the trio of Wilde (Simca), Berg (Mini) and Weins Sr. (Mini) took the lead of the field. After the Simca driver Wilde had somewhat controlled the action and a fierce battle for 2nd and 3rd place was held, the first yellow flag (FCY phase) of the race was shown. During an overtaking maneuver between one of the Minis and an NSU in the midfield, the two rivals came into contact with the sheet metal and retired prematurely.
During the yellow phase, which was new for all participants, a speed of 60 km/h was to be maintained. However, as this was not the case for a number of participants, several time penalties were imposed by race control.
Wolfgang Drixelius, who started from 5th place in his Mini, quickly moved into the leading group after the race was approved. In the meantime, he had worked his way up to 3rd place behind the now leading Berg (Mini) and Wilde (Simca) when the second yellow flag of the race was shown. This was triggered by Christoph Wilde, who was leading overall for a time. In the long right-hand bend, the Arie Luyendijkbocht, there was a lapping maneuver in pursuit of Berg's Mini. However, Christoph Wilde was hit by his slower opponent as he was trying to get onto the racing line.
The accident, including the subsequent rollover, could be seen on the race, which was streamed live for the first time. Christoph Wilde was able to get out of his Simca unharmed.
The race was completed under a yellow flag around the track.
The overall winner of the first race was Thomas Berg in his Mini. The next four places were also taken by drivers from the British Classic Car Trophy with their Minis, before the first-placed NSU Trophy team, Schmelter/Vielgut, came in 6th place. The best Abarth was Jan Schouten in his Fiat Abarth 1000TC. The winner of the 1300 Histo Cup was guest starter Michael Weisenborn in his Lada.
2nd race - Sunday
The second race on Sunday, which took place in dry conditions, was also dominated by the drivers of the Minis. In a race without any major incidents, Herbert Wein Jr. took the overall victory in the end, followed by three other Minis.
The winner of the NSU Trophy was once again Schmelter/Vielgut, while Frank Fiedler was 11th overall in his Renault-Alpine A110 as winner of the 1300 Histo Cup. The fastest Abarth was Hubert Nagl in 15th place with his Abarth 1000TC.
The last two races of the anniversary season will now take place on the last weekend of September on the Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit on the occasion of the RGB season finale .
All reports on the dwarves can be found in the Battle of the Dwarves theme channel.
