It's that time of year again in August: the Rothaus Black Forest Classic, or RSC for short, is taking place for the thirteenth time this year - and has even been climate-neutral for the last three years. A road trip in fascinating classic cars through the picture-postcard idyll of the southern Black Forest. And this year, the two tours - Tour A August 10 to 13 and Tour B August 13 to 16, 2026 - will once again feature up to 60 teams of participants, including many familiar faces who regularly take part in this event and who jokingly refer to each other as repeat offenders.
Through the beautiful Black Forest
For three days, classic car fans - or those who want to become one - get their money's worth on this rally drive through the beautiful Black Forest and can marvel at the lovingly maintained vehicles of the other participants, many of which are true rarities. There are always plenty of opportunities to talk to like-minded people, which gives the event a relaxed, friendly or even informal character.
But even as a newcomer, you are quickly accepted into the community of RSC fans, because the smell of petrol and the passion for the unmistakable sound of the old engines as well as the nostalgic design have a bonding effect. People help each other if someone has difficulties with their vehicle on the track.
No car? Simply rent a classic car directly from the organizer!
If you don't have your own classic car, you can hire one from Retro Promotion GmbH's extensive vehicle pool. There you are literally spoiled for choice between 40 vehicles. From the Mercedes Benz 220 Ponton built in 1955 to the Porsche Boxster built in 1998, Retro Promotion GmbH's event garage has numerous vintage and classic cars of well-known brands from different years of manufacture. At the same time, you will also receive expert instruction on the vehicle.
Varied program
The rally begins on the prologue day, the first day of the rally, at lunchtime in Dornhan "zum Dorfstüble & AVIA -Östol Schwarzwaldtankstelle". Here, in addition to the welcome bag, participants will receive the necessary rally documents and are invited to coffee and cake from our partner AVIA-Östol. Afterwards - from 2 p.m. - the rally starts: the individual teams set off at 2-minute intervals and according to the logbook, on the prologue route of approx. 120 km to the starting point of the rally, the picturesquely situated Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus AG near Grafenhausen, which is also the rally center for the coming days. Dinner is then served in the brewhouse and the drivers receive their briefing for the next few days over a hearty "Black Forest Vesper" including drinks.
As in previous years, the rally's two big rides will take place on the following two days. These two daily stages will cover around 230 kilometers through varied and beautiful areas of the Black Forest. The route leads through the picturesque landscapes of the southern Black Forest along romantic routes into the Upper Black Forest. Lunch is taken together in a rustic mountain hut or inn - usually at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. In the afternoon, the tour returns to the Rothaus AG state brewery. Here, the participants round off the evening together with barbecue specialties, "Tannenzäpfle" and conversation. Weather permitting, the evening event will take place in the garden of Rothaus Genuss Welt.
Traveling instead of racing
As you would expect, the organizers of the rally have once again come up with numerous challenges for the participants. Silent guards, stamping stations and skill tests lurk at the roadside and in parking bays, challenging the drivers' attention and skills. A professional logbook shows the way for all three days. But always under the motto: "Traveling instead of speeding". The Stuttgart Police Museum, the Red Cross Museum Gingen an der Brenz and TÜV Süd are all involved with expert, voluntary support. They contribute to the event with a great deal of humor and expertise and thus contribute to good entertainment - not least through exciting and unusual tests. The experts from the Stuttgart Motor Vehicle Guild will be on the road with two vehicles to provide technical support.
Reliability, skill, team spirit, fun, experience and enjoyment are much more important than speed. Nonetheless, the best riders in the individual Tour A and Tour B competitions can look forward to a variety of impressive prizes from Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus AG and our other supporting partners. However, the prerequisite is that they have registered correctly on the prologue day. The main prize comes from our premium sponsor and partner Union Glashütte. Both riders and co-drivers of the two winning teams of Tour A and B can look forward to a watch worth around €3,000. Mind you, it is not speed that is required, but rather uniformity and skill to get as few penalty points as possible and achieve victory.
Further information and the opportunity to register directly can be found on the rally website.
