Spring is gradually approaching, so it's no wonder that numerous events are already in the starting blocks. One of them is the Touring Car Classics. Designed as a series for private racing drivers and gentlemen drivers, countless professional drivers from the former DTM are also at the starting line here.
History blends with the present here, as the audience will certainly be able to marvel at duels between older racing cars this year too. The series therefore offers a new stage for private amateur sport away from other well-known historic motorsport series.
The rules
In the respective races, the regulations provide for the possibility that owners/drivers or, if applicable, professional or ex-professional drivers can take turns during a pit stop, which is mandatory.
Each race lasts 40 minutes and the mandatory pit stop must take place between the 15th and 30th minute. A minimum pit stop time is prescribed. Refueling and changing tires is prohibited.
Two qualifying sessions (20 minutes each per driver) are mandatory per competition and one free practice session is optional.
During the races, the CTC regulations apply. ITC, DTM and STW regulations are also mandatory.
More detailed information on the rules can be found in the TWC bulletin.
Dates 2019
The test and set-up drive at the Nürburgring will take place on March 31, details will be published on the series website.
The first race will then take place from May 24 to 26 as part of the Nürburgring Classic. The second race will start a little further south at the Norisring on July 5-7 as part of the DTM. The third race will then take place as part of the AvD OGP from August 8 to 10. The fourth race will be held at the Lausitzring from August 23 to 25. The season finale will again be at the Nürburgring from September 13 to 15, 2019.
Professional support
Experienced race doctor Karl Schuster will be attending at least four of the five events to take care of any ailments or questions TWC riders may have. Dr. Schuster is ideally suited for this, as he has been looking after and advising works and private teams and their racing drivers for over 30 years. For example, he was the team doctor for the Mercedes works team for several years and accompanied them to World Sports Car Championship races from 1988 onwards. The same applied to the Mercedes DTM drivers from 1989.
Interested drivers can register for the championship here.
The current list of participants is also already available and features a whopping 53 drivers.
BMW most popular with ex-racers
Looking through the list of participants, the red names stand out. They are all ex-racing drivers. The majority will be competing in a BMW, with Harald Grohs driving a BMW M3 E30 DTM, one of his old cars.
Leopold von Bayern and Christian Menzel will also be driving a BMW, while Hubert Haupt will be competing in an Audi V8 Quattro DTM.
Organizer Ralph Bahr is also already in the starting blocks; like Harald Grohs, he will be in an M3.
