In its anniversary year, the classic car Grand Prix aims to inspire visitors and participants with new and additional attractions. This applies not only to the racing program on the track, but also to the paddock and the surrounding area, where there are many new things to discover. This year, for example, Formula 1 and Formula 2 cars will take to the Grand Prix circuit together for the first time in a demo race, and a guest appearance by the British HSCC Formula 2, whose cars date back to the late 1960s and 1970s, is also on the agenda.
In the historic paddock, a breath of fresh air is blowing for the pre-war vehicles, whose meeting is being upgraded and expanded and will operate under the heading "Vintage Nürburgring" from this year. A large marquee in the Grand Prix paddock (admission included with every ticket) will invite participants, visitors and guests of honor to chat about petrol and relax.
Top brand club meeting in the Mercedes Arena
Also new is the greater emphasis on the brand club meetings, which have always been an important part of the weekend at the classic car Grand Prix. In response to popular demand, the organizers are opening up the Mercedes Arena for the first time to top brand clubs, which will be based here for the weekend. Further brand club areas can be found around the start/finish in parking lots within walking distance of the track, so that the weekend can also become a real classic car festival in this part. Participation in the brand club meeting is as attractive as ever. In addition to reserved seats in a highly attractive location, the clubs and their members will enjoy a host of benefits - including ticket conditions and a range of bonus services. Information and registration options for clubs can be found on the event website at oldtimergrandprix.com/besucher/#top-markentreffen.
The festival atmosphere is also taken care of in other ways. This ranges from well-known cornerstones such as the Motorklassik trade magazine exhibition tent to the flea market on the ring°boulevard, which invites visitors to browse.
1973 Current vehicle technology is now part of the program as a classic
The organizers of the Oldtimer Grand Prix almost hit the 50th anniversary on the dot. This is because the first event took place on August 11 and 12, 1972 - then still known as the "Nürburgring Show". Even back then, there was not only historic racing, but also an industrial exhibition with a skid pad demonstration and a night-time touring car race. But the stars were of course the "oldies", which the 20,000 visitors at the time did not want to miss. This premiere was organized by the recently founded "Club Historischer Renn- und Sportfahrzeuge Nürburgring" (C.H.R.S.N.) and Hubertus Graf Dönhoff (Histomobil).
Today, the circle of organizing clubs is completed by the HMSC, which has rendered outstanding services above all as an active organizer of the motorsport framework. Initially, the number of cars on the starting grid was almost modest compared to today's classic car Grand Prix weekends: 63 cars and 40 motorcycles from the years 1904 to 1959 found their way to the Eifel. Today, there are between 500 and 600 racing cars! And what was already considered "old iron" back then would almost pass as a "young used car" today, as the youngest participating vehicles were only 14 years old.
Still on the racetrack after almost 100 years
But what kind of vehicles they were that started at the first classic car Grand Prix! Classic Mercedes "Gullwings" could be found in the paddock, as well as BMW 328s. Morgan, Era, Cooper Bristol and Lagonda from the British Isles were there, Amilcar from France, Italian Alfa Romeo and Ferrari - that was the stuff the fans craved. The fact that many of these very cars are still used at the Nürburgring today in pristine, race-ready condition speaks volumes for the esteem in which these witnesses to automotive history are held.
Many have become part of the vintage field that can be admired in the historic paddock. However, the best example is also the top-class race of the 50s sports cars, which will mark the highlight of the weekend with their evening race on Saturday, and some of whose protagonists also raced on the track at the event back in 1973.
New and familiar highlights in the race program
Nowadays, starter fields are added that were just the latest thing in the founding days of the event - or had not even been introduced yet. Of course, the program of the classic car grand prix also includes vehicles from the DRM and DTM of the 80s and 90s in the anniversary year.
They will be supplemented in the touring car and GT field by the starting fields of the HGTG and the Gentle Drivers, who compete under the umbrella of the FHR. This drivers' association is also bringing its sports car race to the Ring, which is dedicated to the CanAm and Group C era. Modern super sports cars are represented in the Ferrari Club Deutschland Racing Series field.
Pure formula fascination - new Formula 2 series
Formula racing will also play a major role in the anniversary year. The popular races of the Historic Grand Prix Cars with their front- and rear-engined cars from the years up to 1965 are just as exciting as the Formula Junior racers of the Lurani Trophy. The historic HRA Formula 3 (AvD Race Cup) will return to the program. With the Formula 2 round of the HSCC, the classic car Grand Prix has gained a new highlight. The series is also a perfect match for the planned demo race where Formula 1 and Formula 2 cars will be on display.
Now that the first entries for this parade have been received, the participation of highly attractive and unforgettable vehicles is becoming apparent. And so the summary that appeared in a trade journal in 1973 is unlikely to change. The author wrote that this event "exceeded all expectations: Excellent organization, good and fair sport, sunshine, enthusiastic participants and spectators who had flocked to the Ring in droves despite the late notice. The sport that we have had to wait so long for has finally arrived. Our motorsport has been enriched by another attraction."
