190 classic cars, 540 kilometers, 16 regularity tests and mostly beautiful summer weather: the 23rd ADAC Heidelberg Historic came to a brilliant end on 15 July 2017 with the finish at the Auto und Technik Museum Sinsheim.
Equipped only with a logbook and a stopwatch, the participants in the traditional classic car event organized by ADAC Nordbaden e.V. drove through more than 100 towns and villages in the region over two rally days. Chrome and polished paintwork shone brightly with the participants and spectators at the roadside.
The occasional rain showers did nothing to dampen the mood. "Whether young or old, people are simply enthusiastic about the old technology and the design of the vehicles," explains Jürgen Fabry, Sports Director of ADAC Nordbaden. "You will look in vain for navigation devices or power steering at the Heidelberg Historic. You won't see any overtaking maneuvers here either. Because the measure of all things is not speed, but evenness." On average, the historic vehicles are not allowed to travel faster than 50 km/h. Deceleration in a class of its own!
The teams set off every minute on Friday morning in Sinsheim and roamed the Kraichgau, Kurpfalz, Madonnenland and Zabergäu regions on their two-day tour. "It's the contrast that is so appealing. Wonderful landscapes away from major roads on the one hand, the Hockenheimring and the crowd-pullers Heidelberg, Spechbach and the Audi Forum Neckarsulm on the other," says ride leader Michael Steiner, who was responsible for the route. He wanted to inspire drivers and spectators alike. "We achieved that!"
On both days of the rally, classic car fans not only flocked to the epicenters, which are traditionally driven through, but also to smaller towns such as Oberacker, Mühlhausen and Zweiflingen. Arriving vehicles were greeted with rapturous applause and the drivers were spurred on during their stages. During the rally breaks, it was particularly interesting for the younger spectators to look into the cockpits or under the hood.
No wonder, because the field of participants had a lot to offer with its 35 different car brands and 20 pre-war cars. Exotic cars such as Alvis, Riley, Trident and Willys Overland captivated classic car enthusiasts. But such illustrious names as Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Chevrolet and Ferrari were also represented. A real eye-catcher was the Chenard & Walcker T3 Torpedo from 1923, the oldest vehicle in the field.
In the overall standings, Helmut Nigst from Gräfelfing and Andreas Strohschen from Feldkirchen demonstrated the highest level of skill with their Riley TT Sprite Special, built in 1933 - they crossed the finish line with just 6.39 penalty seconds.
A special prize for the longest journey "on their own wheels" was awarded in the group of vehicles built up to 1945: Harald and Riccardo Göstl from Dillingen had already covered 199 kilometers before they took on the 540 stage kilometers in their Bentley Speed 8 Special, built in 1945. The rally ended in 158th place for driver and co-driver on Saturday.
German racing driver Lance David Arnold, known for his vehicle tests in the VOX car magazine "auto mobil", finished in 81st place in a 1959 Porsche 356 A, while former national handball goalkeeper Henning Fritz and his driver Heiner Gassert finished in 126th place in a 1950 BMW 327/2 convertible.
Anyone who has acquired a taste for the two one-day stages through the beautiful region can obtain a detailed route map from the ADAC Nordbaden offices. Preparations for the 24th ADAC Heidelberg Historic have already begun - the date will be announced shortly.
Winners in the individual groups:
- Group D: up to year of construction 31.12.1945
Helmut Nigst from Gräfelfing and Andreas Strohschen from Feldkirchen in the Riley TT Sprite Special, built in 1933, starting number 16 - overall winner - Group E: Year of construction 01.01.1946 - 31.12.1960
Dirk Gärtner from Weinheim and Ralf Kern from Schönau in an Austin Healey Le Mans, built 1958, starting number 56 - Group F1: Year of construction 01.01.1961 - 31.12.1965
Christian Waack from Heidelberg and Thomas Sichelschmidt from Weinheim in a Triumph TR3 B, built in 1962, starting number 71 - Group F2: Year of construction 01.01.1966 - 31.12.1970
Stefano and Susanna Ginesi from Wettingen (Switzerland) in a Porsche 914-6, built in 1970, starting number 63 - Group G: Year of construction 01.01.1971 - 31.12.1976
Bernhard and Simone Gottwald from Esslingen in a BMW 3.0 CSi, built in 1971, starting number 70 - Group X: Special class for historic rally cars
Team "Heidelberger Brauerei 1": Christian Mack from Sinsheim and Jochen Weinelt from Munich in a Porsche 911 3.2, model year 1985, starting number 85
Further information can be found on the event website.
